Day: August 12, 2024

Monday, August 12, 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?”

“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him” (2 Kings 5:20). “And Micaiah said, As the LORD liveth, even what my God saith, that will I speak” (2 Chronicles 18:13). “So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the LORD liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life” (Jeremiah 38:16). In addition to 27 instances of, “As the LORD liveth,” four variants appear.

One is, “as the LORD God of Israel liveth”—used twice. “For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall” (1 Samuel 25:34). “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kings 17:1).

Another is, “As the LORD of hosts liveth”—appearing twice. “And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day” (1 Kings 18:15). “And Elisha said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, surely, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look toward thee, nor see thee” (2 Kings 3:14). Yet another is, “As God liveth”—found twice. “And Joab said, As God liveth, unless thou hadst spoken, surely then in the morning the people had gone up every one from following his brother” (2 Samuel 2:27). “As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;…” (Job 27:2).

There is still more….