George Lamsa describes a similarly binding oath:
“I have lifted up my hand” is an Eastern saying which means “I have sworn before God.” Easterners, when taking an oath, lift their hands toward heaven and invoke the name of God, whom they make a witness of the oath,“ … as a faithful witness in heaven” (see Psalms 89:37; 1 Samuel 12:5).
When treaties and agreements were made in the name of God they were generally respected and kept even by the future generation. Other treaties and covenants were easily broken and repudiated, just as they are broken today (see Joshua 9:18). (George M. Lamsa, Old Testament Light. Harper & Row, 1964, p. 44)
[As quoted by Brant Gardner, “Brant Gardner’s Page, ”[http://www.highfiber.com/] ~nahualli/LDStopics/1 Nephi/1 Nephi4.htm, p. 14]