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Answer
There are various references in the Bible to the oracles of God. In the New Testament, the term “oracles of God” pertains to the Word of God; in the Old Testament, it sometimes denotes a section of the temple. The presence of the phrase “oracles of God” depends on the specific translation being read.
The New Testament Greek phrase sometimes rendered as “oracles of God” is “logion Theou” (with “logion” being the plural form of “logos”). “Words of God” is a suitable translation. Versions like the KJV, ESV, NASB, and others use “oracles of God,” which is also an appropriate translation when the term “oracle” is correctly defined.
In contemporary language, “oracle” often refers to a person, typically a priest or medium who conveys messages from gods or spirits. An oracle can also be the location where such messages are received. However, an older definition of “oracle,” employed by certain Bible translators, is “a message from God.” The “oracles of God” in the New Testament are essentially God’s messages or words. For instance, in Acts 7:38, Stephen mentions how Moses was given “living oracles to pass on to us” (ESV)—highlighting the life-giving aspect of God’s Word.
Romans 3:2 makes reference to the oracles of God in the ESV: “They were entrusted with the oracles of God.” Paul emphasizes that the Jews, who were responsible for receiving, copying, and safeguarding the Tanakh, were entrusted with the very Word of God. This was advantageous for the Jews because it meant that the gospel would first be preached to them before reaching the Gentiles. However, this advantage applied only to those who accepted the gospel, as Paul clarifies in the subsequent verses. Paul continues by stating that both Jews and Gentiles now have access to righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-22).
Hebrews 5:12 also mentions the
Oracles of God in the NASB: “You have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God.” Here, the “oracles of God” refer to the words of God. The author of Hebrews suggests that his audience should have progressed beyond the fundamental teachings of God’s Word and delved into more profound subjects; however, they seem unprepared for solid food, behaving like infants who are not ready for it (verses 13–14).
First Peter 4:11 mentions the oracles of God in the KJV: “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God.” In this context, Peter advises us to handle the gifts we receive from God with great care (verse 10). Our words should be carefully chosen and delivered as if they were the very words (oracles) of God. When we quote Scripture and explain its meaning, we are essentially conveying the oracles of God. Peter emphasizes the purpose of our speech: “So that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (verse 11).
In 2 Samuel 16:23, the “oracle of God” (KJV) that granted Ahithophel wisdom signifies “the Word of God” or, more precisely, “a divine message given to man.” In other parts of the Old Testament, the “oracle of God” denotes the location where God resided—the Most Holy Place in the temple housing the Ark of the Covenant—and thus the place where inquiries could be made regarding God’s wisdom, will, and word «And against the wall of the house he built chambers all around, against the walls of the house all around, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers all around: », (see 1 Kings 6:5 and 19 in the KJV).
