Matthew 23:18

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, he is a debtor.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Καί, Ὃς ἐὰν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ θυσιαστηρίῳ, οὐδέν ἐστιν· ὃς δʼ ἂν ὀμόσῃ ἐν τῷ δώρῳ τῷ ἐπάνω αὐτοῦ, ὀφείλει.

Transliteration

And, Whoever ean omosē by the thysiastēriō, nothing estin; whoever d' an omosē by the dōrō the one epanō of-it, opheilei.

Grammar Details

*Kai*: conjunction - and
*Hos ean*: relative pronoun with conditional particle - whoever
*omosē*: aorist, active, subjunctive, 3rd person singular - might swear/take oath
*en*: preposition with dative - by/in
*thysiastēriō*: dative, neuter, singular - altar
*ouden*: nominative, neuter, singular - nothing
*estin*: present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular - it is
*hos d' an*: relative pronoun with particle and conditional particle - but whoever
*dōrō*: dative, neuter, singular - gift/offering
*tō epanō*: article with adverb - the (one) upon/above
*autou*: genitive, neuter, singular - of it
*opheilei*: present, active, indicative, 3rd person singular - he is obligated/bound

Word Meanings

*omosē*: swears/takes an oath
*thysiastēriō*: altar/place of sacrifice
*ouden estin*: is nothing/amounts to nothing/is not binding
*dōrō*: gift/offering/sacrifice
*epanō*: upon/above/on top of
*opheilei*: is obligated/is bound/must fulfill the oath

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Matt 23:19-22
4 verses
90%
19Ye blind: for which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
20He therefore that sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.
21And he that sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.
22And he that sweareth by the heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.
Matt 23:16-17
2 verses
82%
16Woe unto you, ye blind guides, that say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor.
17Ye fools and blind: for which is greater, the gold, or the temple that hath sanctified the gold?
1 Kgs 8:31
75%
31If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and he come [and] swear before thine altar in this house;
2 Chr 6:22
75%
22If a man sin against his neighbor, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and he come [and] swear before thine altar in this house;
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4 verses
73%
33Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34but I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;
35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
Lev 5:4
72%
4Or if any one swear rashly with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall utter rashly with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these [things].
Matt 15:5-6
2 verses
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5But ye say, whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is given [to God];
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Matt 5:23-24
2 verses
69%
23If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,
24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Jas 5:12
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Exod 29:37
69%
37Seven days thou shalt make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it: and the altar shall be most holy; whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
Heb 13:10
69%
10We have an altar, whereof {G1537} they have no right to eat that serve the tabernacle.
Lev 19:12
68%
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Num 30:2
68%
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Josh 22:23
67%
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Mark 7:11
67%
11but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given [to God];
Exod 23:8
67%
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Lev 6:3
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67%
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Exod 20:25
67%
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Amos 2:8
67%
8and they lay themselves down beside every altar upon clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their God they drink the wine of such as have been fined.
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Exod 21:14
67%
14And if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
Lev 5:19
66%
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1 Cor 9:13
66%
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Eccl 5:5
66%
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15And they shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer unto Jehovah,
Lev 24:15
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15And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.
Zech 5:3
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3Then said he unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole land: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off on the one side according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off on the other side according to it.
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Rom 2:22
66%
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Ezek 21:23
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Exod 22:11
66%
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Lev 17:8
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