Used by Presidents of the
United States of America
in Taking the Oath of Office
Presented by: Dr. Richard Smith, PM, PDDGM
August 13, 2005
From the time of the first President of the United States, George Washington in 1793, each man has taken an Oath of Office. During the swearing in ceremonies, with few exceptions, they have each laid hands on the Bible while taking their Oath of Office. The majority have chosen which Scripture to open their Bible to, several have used either a closed Bible or have opened it to a random Scripture.
George Washington used a Masonic Bible for his first swearing in, opened randomly to Genesis 49:13 -- Zebulon shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for a haven of ships; and his border be unto Zion.
For some of our Presidents, it is not known which scripture was chosen, as no documentation can be located. A few of the Presidents were affirmed instead of swearing the oath. One of the first documented to affirm was Franklin Pierce in 1853
Abraham Lincoln in 1865 (the year he was assassinated by Booth), opened his Bible to 3 Scriptures:
To view a larger image, click on a photo below
Matthew 7:1 – Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Matthew 18:7 – Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Revelations 16:7 (3) – And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
