Numbers 30:13

13 Any vow and pledge that she makes that may be to her detriment can be either affirmed or annulled by her husband.

Numbers 30:13 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 30:13

Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul
By fasting, as Aben Ezra observes; as when a vow was made, or a person bound herself by an oath to abstain from such and such food, or to fast on such a day; to keep a fast which was not appointed, to set apart a day for fasting, besides the grand and general fast on the day of atonement: Jarchi from hence gathers, that a man only makes vows of afflicting the soul, or vows of fasting; but this is not said by way of limitation and restriction, but by way of amplification and illustration, giving a particular instance, by which others may be judged of:

her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void,
just as he pleased; and this power an husband had, to prevent confusion in the family, and trouble in the affairs of it, by vowing abstinence from such and such food, or from such and such liquor, and the like; and to prevent running into expenses he was not able to answer, by vowing and dedicating, this and the other to holy uses, for sacrifices, and repairs of the temple, and the like.

Numbers 30:13 In-Context

11 and her husband hears about it but says nothing and doesn't say she can't do it, then all her vows and pledges are valid.

12 But if her husband cancels them when he hears about them, then none of the vows and pledges that she made are binding. Her husband has canceled them and God will release her.

13 Any vow and pledge that she makes that may be to her detriment can be either affirmed or annulled by her husband.

14 But if her husband is silent and doesn't speak up day after day, he confirms her vows and pledges - she has to make good on them. By saying nothing to her when he hears of them, he binds her to them.

15 If, however, he cancels them sometime after he hears of them, he takes her guilt on himself."