Numbers 30

God commands that a person's vow must be fulfilled, but also commands that a parent or husband has the right to nullify a vow made by a woman under their authority.

Numbers 30

16
verses
2
min

Bible version

The Law of Vows

1 And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
3 If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;
4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.
5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;
7 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.
9 But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.
10 And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;
11 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
15 But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.
16 These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.

Commentary

In Numbers 30, we see the Lord giving Moses instructions on how to handle vows and oaths. The Lord is very clear that if a man makes a vow or an oath, he must keep it. If a woman makes a vow or an oath, her father or husband can nullify it if he so chooses. This is an interesting distinction, as it shows that the Lord is aware of the power dynamics between men and women in the ancient world. The Lord also gives instructions on how to handle vows made by young people. If a young person makes a vow, their father or mother can nullify it if they so choose. This is a reminder that young people are not always mature enough to make decisions that will have lasting consequences. Finally, the Lord gives instructions on how to handle vows made by widows and divorced women. These women are allowed to make vows and keep them, as long as they do not contradict the laws of the Lord. This is a reminder that the Lord is a God of justice and mercy, and that He cares for all of His people, regardless of their gender or marital status. Overall, Numbers 30 is a reminder that the Lord is a God of justice and mercy, and that He cares for all of His people. He is aware of the power dynamics between men and women, and He is willing to make allowances for those who are vulnerable. This is a reminder that the Lord is a God of love and compassion, and that He desires for all of His people to live in harmony.

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FAQ

Assuming a reader with an average reading speed of 300 WPM reads the Numbers, chapter 30 it would take approximately 2 minutes to finish.

There are 16 verses in Numbers, chapter 30.