Leviticus 5:4

“Or if a soul swear, etc.] A rash or vain oath: pronouncing with his lips; not in his heart, as Jarchi notes; not saying within himself that he would do this, or that, or the other thing, but expressing his oath plainly and distinctly, with an audible voice: to do good, or to do evil; which was either impossible or unlawful for him to do; whether the good or evil he swears to do is to himself or to another; whether he swears to do good to himself, and evil to another, or, good to another, and evil to himself, (see <191504>Psalm 15:4,5). The Targum of Jonathan paraphrases it, “whatsoever a man expresses, whether of anything present or future;” as if he swears he has done such and such a thing,…”

“FOR SWEARING. (Lev 5:4-19) if a soul swear--a rash oath, without duly considering the nature and consequences of the oath, perhaps inconsiderately binding himself to do anything wrong, or neglecting to perform a vow to do something good. In all such cases a person might have transgressed one of the divine commandments unwittingly, and have been afterwards brought to a sense of his delinquency.”

“Special occasions are mentioned on which sin-offerings are to be made with a particular confession of the offence for which atonement is sought Leviticus 5:5. Leviticus 5:1 Swearing - Adjuration. The case appears to be that of one who has been put upon his oath as a witness by a magistrate, and fails to utter all he has seen and heard (compare the marginal references. and Proverbs 29:24; Numbers 5:21). Leviticus 5:2-3 Hid from him - Either through forgetfulness or indifference, so that purification had been neglected. In such a case there had been a guilty negligence, and a sin-offering was required. On the essential connection between impurity and the sin-offering, see Leviticus 12:1.…”

“If a soul swear - Rashly, without consideration either of God's law, or his own power or right, as David did, Sa1 25:22. To do evil - To himself, to punish himself either in his body, or estate, or something else which is dear to him. Or rather to his neighbour. And it be hid from him - That is, he did not know, or not consider, that what he swore to do, was or would be impossible, or unlawful: When he discovers it to be so, either by his own consideration, or by information from others, whether it was good or evil which he swore to do. Leviticus 5:5”

“5:4 Oaths could be taken in the name of the Lord. However, a foolish vow, one thoughtlessly made, was a blasphemous misuse of the Lord’s name (Exod 20:7). Accordingly, vows must be fulfilled (see Num 30:2; Deut 23:21-23; Eccl 5:4-6).”

“if a soul: This relates to rash oaths or vows, which a man was afterwards unable, or which it would have been sinful, to perform. to do evil: Lev. 27:2-34; Jos 2:14, Jos 9:15; Jdg 9:19, Jdg 11:31, Jdg 21:7, Jdg 21:18; Sa1 1:11; Sa1 14:24-28, Sa1 24:21, Sa1 24:22, Sa1 25:22; Sa2 21:7; Kg2 6:31; Psa 132:2-5; Ecc 5:2-6; Eze 17:18, Eze 17:19; Mat 14:7, Mat 14:9; Mar 6:23; Act 23:12 Leviticus 5:5”