a solemn appeal whereby one person imposes on another the obligation of speaking or acting as if under an oath ( 1 Samuel 14:24 ; Joshua 6:26 ; 1 Kings 22:16 ).

We have in the New Testament a striking example of this ( Matthew 26:63 ; Mark 5:7 ), where the high priest calls upon Christ to avow his true character. It would seem that in such a case the person so adjured could not refuse to give an answer.

The word "adjure", i.e., cause to swear is used with reference to the casting out of demons ( Acts 19:13 ).

These dictionary topics are from
M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.