Matthew 14:7 Meaning and Explanation
“Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Carried away, Herod swears an oath to give the girl anything she asks.
What Does Matthew 14:7 Mean?
In the warmth of the moment Herod makes a reckless vow, binding himself by oath to grant whatever the girl requests. The promise is extravagant and unguarded, made to impress his guests rather than weighed for its cost. He has handed away his judgment before he knows what he will be asked.
Words spoken to impress can become chains we cannot break. A vow made without thought of consequence sets a snare for the one who makes it. Better the restraint of a careful tongue than the bondage of a rash promise. The Lord values truth in the heart more than oaths flung out to win applause.
Matthew 14:7 in the Original Language
horkos (ὅρκος), 'oath' -- a sworn promise binding the speaker before witnesses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 14:7
What does Matthew 14:7 mean?
Carried away, Herod swears an oath to give the girl anything she asks.