As the LORD Liveth? #1

Friday, August 9, 2024

“And he said, They were my brethren, even the sons of my mother: as the LORD liveth, if ye had saved them alive, I would not slay you” (Judges 8:19 KJV).

What is the implication of this expression, “As the LORD liveth?”

It appears exactly 27 times in our Authorized Version (King James Bible). Today’s Scripture is the first time. Let us look at the numerous other references before we analyze the term itself. “Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the LORD liveth: lie down until the morning” (Ruth 3:13). “For, as the LORD liveth, which saveth Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die. But there was not a man among all the people that answered him” (1 Samuel 14:39).

“And the people said unto Saul, Shall Jonathan die, who hath wrought this great salvation in Israel? God forbid: as the LORD liveth, there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground; for he hath wrought with God this day. So the people rescued Jonathan, that he died not” (1 Samuel 14:45). “And Saul hearkened unto the voice of Jonathan: and Saul sware, As the LORD liveth, he shall not be slain” (1 Samuel 19:6). “And David sware moreover, and said, Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found grace in thine eyes; and he saith, Let not Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved: but truly as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, there is but a step between me and death” (1 Samuel 20:3). “And, behold, I will send a lad, saying, Go, find out the arrows. If I expressly say unto the lad, Behold, the arrows are on this side of thee, take them; then come thou: for there is peace to thee, and no hurt; as the LORD liveth” (1 Samuel 20:21).

There are more such verses….