For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "an end of all strife" highlights the ultimate purpose of an oath: not just to confirm a statement, but to definitively settle any dispute, bringing absolute finality to disagreements between people. This reveals that oaths weren't just casual declarations but were seen as the highest human means to achieve peace and certainty in disputes.
For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is explaining the certainty of God's promises by comparing them to the oaths people make between themselves. Just as humans swear by someone greater than themselves to settle disputes and confirm agreements, God also used an oath, appealing to His own immutability, to provide absolute assurance to believers regarding His promises. This elevates the importance of God's commitment beyond any human oath, underscoring the reliability of the hope found in Christ.
Ever wondered why people swear by God, or something 'greater' than themselves? It's all about acknowledging a higher authority to settle disputes.
Invoking a Higher Power
This verse points out a universal human practice: when people need to make a promise or settle a disagreement, they swear by something or someone greater than themselves. Think about it – you wouldn't swear by your pet hamster to prove a legal point, right? You appeal to a higher authority.
Why 'Greater' Matters
In a world of arguments and disagreements, the Bible points to an ancient, powerful tool for resolution: the oath.
Ask a follow-up
The Power of a Sacred Promise
The second part of the verse emphasizes the function of an oath in human society: 'in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.' This means that when two people are in conflict, or when there's doubt about a matter, a solemn oath is designed to settle it permanently.
Beyondmere Words
Understand the original words
horkos · Greek Noun
A solemn declaration invoking a divine witness to the truth of one's statement or the fulfillment of a promise, intended to put an end to conflict or doubt.
This passage directly relates to God's oath to Abraham, which is the subject the author of Hebrews is building upon. It shows God swearing by Himself because there was no one greater, paralleling the human practice of swearing by something greater than oneself.
Deuteronomy 6:13This verse, quoted from the Old Testament, explicitly states that one should swear by the Lord's name alone. It provides the divine command behind the human practice of swearing by 'the greater' as described in Hebrews.
Matthew 5:33-37Jesus here addresses the misuse of oaths, teaching His followers to let their 'yes' be 'yes' and their 'no' be 'no.' This offers a contrast and a higher standard to the pragmatic use of oaths for confirmation discussed in Hebrews.
Romans 1:9Paul mentions calling God as his witness in his prayers, demonstrating a similar concept of invoking a higher authority for truth and confirmation. This shows how the principle of swearing by the greater is integrated into Christian life.
ellicottHebrews 6:16: "For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife."
(16) And an oath for confirmation. —Rather, and of every dispute in their case the oath is an end (is final) to settle the matter.
pooleHebrews 6:16: "For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife."
For men verily swear by the greater : for here is only narrative, introducing the amplification of the argument drawn from God’s promise and oath, for the quickening those and all believers to make out after the full assurance of hope, the promise and oath of God concerning them as well as Abraham. That since men’s oaths procure credit, and put an end to doubts, strife, and contrad…
The phrase "an end of all strife" highlights the ultimate purpose of an oath: not just to confirm a statement, but to definitively settle any dispute, bringing absolute finality to disagreements between people. This reveals that oaths weren't just casual declarations but were seen as the highest human means to achieve peace and certainty in disputes.
The author is explaining the certainty of God's promises by comparing them to the oaths people make between themselves. Just as humans swear by someone greater than themselves to settle disputes and confirm agreements, God also used an oath, appealing to His own immutability, to provide absolute assurance to believers regarding His promises. This elevates the importance of God's commitment beyond any human oath, underscoring the reliability of the hope found in Christ.
The author is explaining the certainty of God's promises by comparing them to the oaths people make between themselves. Just as humans swear by someone greater than themselves to settle disputes and confirm agreements, God also used an oath, appealing to His own immutability, to provide absolute assurance to believers regarding His promises. This elevates the importance of God's commitment beyond any human oath, underscoring the reliability of the hope found in Christ.
"For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation." — The phrase "an end of all strife" highlights the ultimate purpose of an oath: not just to confirm a statement, but to definitively settle any dispute, bringing absolute finality to disagreements betw…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026