Adjure
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary [2]
This word in Scripture language is much more striking and significant than is generally considered. It contains not only the nature of a command when used by a person in authority, that the adjured party shall answer to the question proposed, but it goes farther; to bind the person adjured under a fearful curse if aught be concealed, or kept back in his mind, whereby a discovery which is needed be hindered and prevented. Thus Joshua concerning Jericho, ( Joshua 6:26. Ahab to Micaiah, 1 Kings 22:16) And still higher than both, when Christ was adjured by the high priest. ( Matthew 26:63)
The law of adjuration appears to be founded in the divine authority. Thus we read, ( Leviticus 5:1) "If a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it, if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity." It should seem from hence, that the concealment of any iniquity, made the party concealing a joint partaker of it, in the sight of God. To the same purport, is that passage in the Proverbs, ( Proverbs 29:24) "Whoso is partner with a thief, hateth his own soul: he hearing cursing, and bewrayeth it not." Those views of concealment, according to the law of Moses, serve to explain to us the nature of adjuration, and throw a light upon the conduct of our Lord, in that unequalled moment of his meek and humble demeanour, when he stood before the high priest. "I adjure thee (said the high priest) by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ the son of God." And while the reader thus observes the law of adjuration, so faithfully fulfilled by Christ, I hope he will never lose sight of the Lord Jesus Christ's answer: "Thou sayest that I am." Oh! precious testimony of Jesus, and from Jesus himself. Here was indeed a good confession. ( 1 Timothy 6:13)
King James Dictionary [3]
Adju'Re, L adjuro, to sweat solemnly, or compel one to swear from ad and juro, to swear.
1. To charge, bind or command on oath, or under the penalty of a curse.
Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth this city of Jericho. Joshua 6 .
2. To charge earnestly and solemnly, on pain of God's wrath.
I adjure thee by the living God. Matthew 26 ., Acts 19.
3. To conjure to charge, urge or summon with solemnity.
The magistrates adjured by all the bonds of duty.
Ye sacred stars, be all of you adjured.
The Commissioners adjured them not to let pass so favorable an opportunity of securing their liberties.
Webster's Dictionary [4]
(v. t.) To charge, bind, or command, solemnly, as if under oath, or under the penalty of a curse; to appeal to in the most solemn or impressive manner; to entreat earnestly.
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament [5]
See Oath.
