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Numbers 30

BSB·16 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Then Mosesמֹשֶׁה֙mō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → saidוַיְדַבֵּ֤רway·ḏab·bêr — to speak, say, or declareH1696 — Full Word Study → to the headsרָאשֵׁ֣יrā·šê — Head; chief; beginning; topH7218 — Full Word Study → of the tribesהַמַּטּ֔וֹתham·maṭ·ṭō·wṯ — Rod, staff, or tribeH4294 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֖לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, “Thisזֶ֣הzeh — this, that; the one, the otherH2088 — Full Word Study → is whatאֲשֶׁ֖ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has commandedצִוָּ֥הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study →: 2Ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a manאִישׁ֩’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → makesיִדֹּ֨רyid·dōr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → a vowנֶ֜דֶרne·ḏer — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַֽיהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → orאֽוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → swearsהִשָּׁ֤בַעhiš·šā·ḇa‘ — To swear an oath; to bind oneself by solemn promiseH7650 — Full Word Study → an oathשְׁבֻעָה֙šə·ḇu·‘āh — Oath, sworn vow, or curseH7621 — Full Word Study → to obligateלֶאְסֹ֤רle’·sōr — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → himselfנַפְשׁ֔וֹnap̄·šōw — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → by a pledgeאִסָּר֙’is·sār — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study →, he must notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → breakיַחֵ֖לya·ḥêl — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → his wordדְּבָר֑וֹdə·ḇā·rōw — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study →; he must doיַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → everythingכְּכָל־kə·ḵāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → he has promisedהַיֹּצֵ֥אhay·yō·ṣê — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study →. 3And ifכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → a womanוְאִשָּׁ֕הwə·’iš·šāh — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study → in her father’sאָבִ֖יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → houseבְּבֵ֥יתbə·ḇêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → during her youthבִּנְעֻרֶֽיהָ׃bin·‘u·re·hā — Youth, young people, the state of being youngH5271 — Full Word Study → makesתִדֹּ֥רṯid·dōr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → a vowנֶ֖דֶרne·ḏer — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → or obligates herselfוְאָסְרָ֥הwə·’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → by a pledgeאִסָּ֛ר’is·sār — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study →, 4and her fatherאָבִ֜יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → hears aboutוְשָׁמַ֨עwə·šā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → her vowנִדְרָ֗הּniḏ·rāh — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → or pledgeוֶֽאֱסָרָהּ֙we·’ĕ·sā·rāh — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → but says nothingוְהֶחֱרִ֥ישׁwə·he·ḥĕ·rîš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → to her, then allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the vowsנְדָרֶ֔יהָnə·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → orוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → pledgesאִסָּ֛ר’is·sār — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → by whichאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → she has boundאָסְרָ֥ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → herselfנַפְשָׁ֖הּnap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → shall standוְקָ֙מוּ֙wə·qā·mū — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →. 5But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → her fatherאָבִ֣יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → prohibits herהֵנִ֨יאhê·nî — to nullify, disallow, or break (a vow or covenant)H5106 — Full Word Study → on the dayבְּי֣וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → he hearsשָׁמְעוֹ֒šā·mə·‘ōw — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → about itכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →, then noneלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → of the vowsנְדָרֶ֗יהָnə·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → or pledgesוֶֽאֱסָרֶ֛יהָwe·’ĕ·sā·re·hā — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → by whichאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → she has boundאָסְרָ֥ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → herselfנַפְשָׁ֖הּnap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → shall standיָק֑וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →. The LORDוַֽיהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will absolveיִֽסְלַח־yis·laḥ- — To forgive, pardon, or remitH5545 — Full Word Study → her becauseכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → her fatherאָבִ֖יהָ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → has prohibited herהֵנִ֥יאhê·nî — to nullify, disallow, or break (a vow or covenant)H5106 — Full Word Study →. 6Ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → a woman marriesהָי֤וֹhā·yōw — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → while under a vowוּנְדָרֶ֖יהָū·nə·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → orא֚וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → rash promiseמִבְטָ֣אmiḇ·ṭā — Rash or hasty speech; words spoken carelesslyH4008 — Full Word Study → by whichאֲשֶׁ֥ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → sheנַפְשָֽׁהּ׃nap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → has boundאָסְרָ֖ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → herselfעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →, 7and her husbandאִישָׁ֛הּ’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hears of itוְשָׁמַ֥עwə·šā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → but says nothingוְהֶחֱרִ֣ישׁwə·he·ḥĕ·rîš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → to her on that dayבְּי֥וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, then the vowsנְדָרֶ֗יהָnə·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → or pledgesוֶֽאֱסָרֶ֛הָwe·’ĕ·sā·re·hā — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → by whichאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → sheנַפְשָׁ֖הּnap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → has boundאָסְרָ֥ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → herselfעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → shall standיָקֻֽמוּ׃yā·qu·mū — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →. 8But ifוְ֠אִםwə·’im — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → her husbandאִישָׁהּ֮’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → prohibitsיָנִ֣יאyā·nî — to nullify, disallow, or break (a vow or covenant)H5106 — Full Word Study → herאוֹתָהּ֒’ō·w·ṯāh — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → whenבְּי֨וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → he hears of itשְׁמֹ֣עַšə·mō·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, he nullifiesוְהֵפֵ֗רwə·hê·p̄êr — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → the vowנִדְרָהּ֙niḏ·rāh — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → binds herעָלֶ֔יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → or the rash promiseמִבְטָ֣אmiḇ·ṭā — Rash or hasty speech; words spoken carelesslyH4008 — Full Word Study → sheנַפְשָׁ֑הּnap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → has madeאָסְרָ֖ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study →, and the LORDוַיהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will absolveיִֽסְלַֽח־yis·laḥ- — To forgive, pardon, or remitH5545 — Full Word Study → her. 9Everyכֹּ֛לkōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → vowוְנֵ֥דֶרwə·nê·ḏer — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → a widowאַלְמָנָ֖ה’al·mā·nāh — A woman whose husband has died; widowH490 — Full Word Study → or divorced womanוּגְרוּשָׁ֑הū·ḡə·rū·šāh — to drive out, expel, thrust awayH1644 — Full Word Study → pledges to fulfillאָסְרָ֥ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → is bindingיָק֥וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → on herעָלֶֽיהָ׃‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 10Ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → a woman in her husband’sאִישָׁ֖הּ’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → houseבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → has made a vowנָדָ֑רָהnā·ḏā·rāh — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study → orאֽוֹ־’ōw- — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → put herselfנַפְשָׁ֖הּnap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → underעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → an obligationאָסְרָ֥ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → with an oathבִּשְׁבֻעָֽה׃biš·ḇu·‘āh — Oath, sworn vow, or curseH7621 — Full Word Study →, 11and her husbandאִישָׁהּ֙’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → hears of itוְשָׁמַ֤עwə·šā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → but says nothingוְהֶחֱרִ֣שׁwə·he·ḥĕ·riš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → to her and does notלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → prohibit herהֵנִ֖יאhê·nî — to nullify, disallow, or break (a vow or covenant)H5106 — Full Word Study →, then allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the vowsנְדָרֶ֔יהָnə·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → orוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → pledgesאִסָּ֛ר’is·sār — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → by whichאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → she has boundאָסְרָ֥ה’ā·sə·rāh — to bind, fasten, or restrainH631 — Full Word Study → herselfנַפְשָׁ֖הּnap̄·šāh — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study → shall standיָקֽוּם׃yā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →. 12But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → her husbandאִישָׁהּ֮’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → nullifies themהָפֵר֩hā·p̄êr — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → on the dayבְּי֣וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → he hears of themשָׁמְעוֹ֒šā·mə·‘ōw — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, then nothingכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → that came fromמוֹצָ֨אmō·w·ṣā — exit, going out, that which comes forthH4161 — Full Word Study → her lipsשְׂפָתֶ֧יהָśə·p̄ā·ṯe·hā — Lips; edge, border, or shoreH8193 — Full Word Study →, whether her vowsלִנְדָרֶ֛יהָlin·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → or pledgesוּלְאִסַּ֥רū·lə·’is·sar — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study →, shall standיָק֑וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study →. Her husbandאִישָׁ֣הּ’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → has nullified themיָפֵ֨רyā·p̄êr — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study →, and the LORDוַיהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will absolveיִֽסְלַֽח־yis·laḥ- — To forgive, pardon, or remitH5545 — Full Word Study → her. 13Her husbandאִישָׁ֥הּ’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → may confirmיְקִימֶ֖נּוּyə·qî·men·nū — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → or nullifyיְפֵרֶֽנּוּ׃yə·p̄ê·ren·nū — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → anyכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → vowנֵ֛דֶרnê·ḏer — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → or anyוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → swornשְׁבֻעַ֥תšə·ḇu·‘aṯ — Oath, sworn vow, or curseH7621 — Full Word Study → pledgeאִסָּ֖ר’is·sār — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → to denyלְעַנֹּ֣תlə·‘an·nōṯ — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study → herselfנָ֑פֶשׁnā·p̄eš — soul, life, person, selfH5315 — Full Word Study →. 14But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → her husbandאִישָׁהּ֮’î·šāh — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → says nothingהַחֲרֵשׁ֩ha·ḥă·rêš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → to her from dayמִיּ֣וֹםmî·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → dayיוֹם֒yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, then he confirmsוְהֵקִים֙wə·hê·qîm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the vowsנְדָרֶ֔יהָnə·ḏā·re·hā — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study → andא֥וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → pledgesאֱסָרֶ֖יהָ’ĕ·sā·re·hā — binding, restraint, bond, or injunctionH632 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → bind herעָלֶ֑יהָ‘ā·le·hā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. He has confirmedהֵקִ֣יםhê·qîm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → themאֹתָ֔ם’ō·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → he said nothingהֶחֱרִ֥שׁhe·ḥĕ·riš — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study → to her on the dayבְּי֥וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → he heard about themשָׁמְעֽוֹ׃šā·mə·‘ōw — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →. 15But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → he nullifiesהָפֵ֥רhā·p̄êr — To break, violate, or frustrate; to nullify or make voidH6565 — Full Word Study → themאֹתָ֖ם’ō·ṯām — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → afterאַחֲרֵ֣י’a·ḥă·rê — after, behind, followingH310 — Full Word Study → he hears of themשָׁמְע֑וֹšā·mə·‘ōw — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →, then he will bearוְנָשָׂ֖אwə·nā·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → herאֶת־’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → iniquityעֲוֺנָֽהּ׃‘ă·wō·nāh — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →.” 16Theseאֵ֣לֶּה’êl·leh — These; those; the onesH428 — Full Word Study → are the statutesהַֽחֻקִּ֗יםha·ḥuq·qîm — A statute or decree; an appointed rule or lawH2706 — Full Word Study → thatאֲשֶׁ֨ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → commandedצִוָּ֤הṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → Mosesמֹשֶׁ֔הmō·šeh — Drawn outH4872 — Full Word Study → concerning the relationship betweenבֵּ֥יןbên — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → a manאִ֖ישׁ’îš — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → and his wifeלְאִשְׁתּ֑וֹlə·’iš·tōw — Woman; wife; femaleH802 — Full Word Study →, and betweenבֵּֽין־bên- — between, among, in the midst ofH996 — Full Word Study → a fatherאָ֣ב’āḇ — H1 — Full Word Study → and a young daughterלְבִתּ֔וֹlə·ḇit·tōw — daughter; female child or descendantH1323 — Full Word Study → still in hisאָבִֽיהָ׃פ’ā·ḇî·hā — H1 — Full Word Study → homeבֵּ֥יתbêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Numbers 30
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Numbers 30 addresses the serious matter of vows and oaths made before the Lord. This chapter establishes that promises made to God are binding and must be kept—a principle rooted in God's own faithfulness and the importance of truthfulness in His kingdom. However, the chapter also recognizes the family structure of ancient Israel by allowing fathers and husbands, as household heads, to nullify certain vows made by daughters and wives under their authority. This law balances personal accountability before God with the legitimate headship exercised within families, and it demonstrates God's concern for both covenant-keeping and orderly family life.

Verses 1–2: The General Principle of Vow-Keeping

Moses addresses the tribal leaders to convey the Lord's command about vows. Verse 2 establishes the foundational rule: when a man makes a vow or swears an oath to the Lord, he shall not break his word. This reflects the character of God Himself, who always keeps His promises. The phrase "bind his soul with a bond" emphasizes that a vow is a solemn, personal commitment—not a casual promise. For men, there is no provision for release from a vow; the responsibility rests entirely on the individual. This teaches us that our words carry weight before God and should never be given lightly.

Verses 3–5: A Daughter's Vow in Her Father's House

The law now addresses a daughter living under her father's authority. If she makes a vow while in her father's house and he hears it, his silence confirms the vow (verse 4), but if he disallows it on the day he hears it (verse 5), the vow is nullified and God forgives her. The father's role as household head gives him the authority to protect his daughter from binding obligations she may not fully understand. This reflects the protective structure of the family; it is not oppressive but rather a safeguard. The phrase "the LORD shall forgive her" shows God's mercy operates within this framework.

Verses 6–12: A Wife's Vow

Similar rules apply to a married woman. If she vows or binds herself with an oath while married (verses 6–7), her husband may either confirm or nullify it (verses 7–8). If he holds his peace, the vow stands; if he disallows it on the day he hears it, it is void and again God forgives her. This recognizes the husband's headship in marriage while also protecting the wife from bearing obligations her husband cannot support. Verses 10–12 clarify that the same principle applies whether she vows in her husband's house or elsewhere; his response determines the vow's validity.

Verses 13–15: The Husband's Ongoing Responsibility

Verses 13–14 emphasize that a husband may establish or void his wife's vows regarding oaths "to afflict the soul" (likely referring to voluntary fasting or self-denial for religious purposes). However, verse 15 contains a solemn warning: if the husband disallows a vow after he has remained silent about it, he shall bear her iniquity. This is critical—it means the husband cannot arbitrarily change his position and thus becomes responsible for the spiritual consequence. This protects the wife from capricious treatment and holds the husband accountable for leading faithfully.

Verse 16: Summary and Scope

This verse summarizes the law's scope, applying it to the relationships between husband and wife and between father and daughter in her youth. It confirms that this arrangement is God's design for family order.

Application for Today

While the specific cultural structures of ancient Israel differ from modern life, the principle remains vital: our words are binding before God, and we should speak carefully and truthfully. This passage also reminds us that legitimate authority—whether parental or marital—exists to provide guidance and protection, not control. Ultimately, all vows before the Lord should be made with genuine intention and sincere faith, knowing that God takes our promises seriously and desires that we become people of unwavering integrity.

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