Matthew 23:18

“And whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing, etc.] These are again the words or savings of the scribes and Pharisees, and express their sentiments and practice: it was usual with them to swear by the altar; and this was reckoned either no sin at all, or such an oath was not accounted binding on a man; he might break, or keep it as he thought fit: of this kind of swearing, we have the following instances. One said to another f1275 , “swear to me that thou wilt not discover me, and he swore to him; by what did he swear? says R. Jose bar Chanina, ymynph jbzmb, “by the innermost altar”.” Again, it is said of Zedekiah f1276, “that he (Nebuchadnezzar) made him to swear; by what did he…”

“The altar - The altar of burnt-offerings, in the court of the priests. See the notes at Matthew 21:12. It was made of brass, about 30 feet in length and breadth, and 15 feet in height, 2 Chronicles 4:1. On this altar were offered all the beasts and bloody oblations of the temple. The gift that is upon it - The gift or offering made to God, so called because it was devoted or “given” to him. The gift upon this altar was always beasts and birds. return to 'Top of Page'”

“guilty: or, debtor, Mat 23:15, or bound Matthew 23:19”