Numbers 30:2

Translations

Modern

If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Traditional

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.

Literal

If a man makes a vow to YHWH or swears an oath to bind by some binding obligation on his soul, he shall not break his word; according to all that proceeds out of his mouth, he shall do.

Latin

Si quis virorum votum Domino voverit, aut se constrinxerit juramento: non faciet irritum verbum suum, sed omne quod promisit, implebit.

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Notes

Numbers 30:1–2

Vows included promises to give offerings, like Hannah's vow in 1 Samuel 1. It included pledges to abstain from certain things, like the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6. Jesus mentioned the teachings about vows in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:33.

Numbers 30:1–16

Vows were an important way to show devotion or piety. But people sometimes made them quickly and forgot them. People often made voluntary pledges during special religious events or in times of war. The mention of vows and voluntary offerings might have led to further discussion here (29:39; compare 15:3; see also 6:1–21; Leviticus 5:4–5; 27:1–34; Deuteronomy 23:21–23).

These instructions applied to Hannah and Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1–28). Such practices, including fasting, continued into the New Testament period (for example, Matthew 6:16; 15:3–9; Acts 18:18; 21:23). Vows made by females needed approval from the responsible male who would share financial responsibility for the vow. This applied to young and unmarried or adult and married women. No one, male or female, young or old, should make a vow to God and then ignore it.

Theme notes and profiles

Vows to God

Related verses

Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
Psalm 116:14
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.
Ecclesiastes 5:4–5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.
Job 22:27
You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.
Acts 23:12
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
Psalm 66:13–14
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You—
Leviticus 5:4
Or if someone swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do anything good or evil—in whatever matter a man may rashly pronounce an oath—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty in the matter.
Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.
Psalm 55:20
My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.
Acts 23:21
Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”
Matthew 5:33–34
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’
Psalm 116:18
I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people,

Numbers 30:2

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