Perjury
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Perjury in the Bible?
Perjury denotes the act of swearing falsely or providing false testimony, recognized as a severe offense in biblical law and frequently linked to the violation of sworn oaths.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding perjury clarifies the biblical emphasis on covenantal integrity, showing how truthfulness in speech was essential for maintaining social order and divine favor in ancient Israelite society.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Perjury. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Perjury in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Perjury clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Perjury." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/perjury/