KJV ORIGINAL
If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
If someone wrongs their neighbor, and they are required to take an oath to swear their innocence, and that oath is made before your altar in this temple:
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is describing a situation where someone accused of wrongdoing must make a solemn promise before God's altar to prove their innocence.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the first temple in Jerusalem. In ancient Israel, when disputes arose between neighbors and guilt couldn't be clearly established, the accused person would be brought before God's altar to swear an oath of innocence. This was considered a sacred legal procedure where God himself would judge the truth.
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