If a man sin against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to make him swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house;
If someone sins against their neighbor, and they are required to take an oath to settle the matter, and that oath is made before your altar in this temple;
This verse describes a situation where someone who has wronged their neighbor must make a solemn promise before God's altar to resolve the dispute.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of King Solomon's prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem, as described in the Bible's historical books. In ancient Israelite culture, oaths were a formal way to resolve disputes, where someone accused of sinning against a neighbor might swear before God's altar to affirm their innocence, emphasizing the Temple's role as a sacred place for seeking divine justice. This practice reflected the broader biblical emphasis on God's involvement in human affairs and the importance of truth in community life.
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