As the LORD Liveth? #6

Wednesday, August 14, 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?”

“As the LORD liveth” is featured 27 times in the King James Bible (and only in the Old Testament Scriptures). Moreover, there are four variants: “as the LORD God of Israel liveth” (two times), “as the LORD of hosts liveth” (two times), “as God liveth” (two times), and “as the LORD thy God liveth” (two times).

The connotation is a declaration of certainty. There is no doubt or question as to the statement to which the expression is attached. It is the truth, and including God’s name means it is a solemn pledge. In today’s informal English, we would say, “As sure as I am standing here,” “As certain as the sky is blue,” or “As the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.” It is a guarantee, promise, an affirmation or strengthening.

Depending on the context (as in oaths), it can even take on the meaning of, “The LORD is alive to see the promise fulfilled” (as in 1 Samuel 14:39, 1 Samuel 14:45, 1 Samuel 19:6, 1 Kings 18:15, or 1 Kings 22:14). Furthermore, it can carry the sense of, “The LORD was alive to prevent it from coming to pass” (as in 1 Samuel 25:34). Moreover, it can be understood as, “The LORD is alive to see it is punished” (as in 1 Samuel 26:10).

Another similar expression of the Old Testament is “as thy soul liveth.” In contemporary speech, a related phrase is, “As I live and breathe” (an English statement dating back 400 years). This is a promise that the information being relayed is factual and worthy of trust. It should not be doubted or questioned. The strengthened statement, “as thy soul liveth,” is to be regarded as sure as the very life of the listener.

Handling and defining this Bible terminology requires study. Like with any other portion of Scripture, we must compare and contrast verses to see the overall picture. As the LORD liveth, we thereby grow and develop into mature believers skilled in the word of righteousness!