Numbers 30:12

12 (30-13) But if forthwith he gainsay it, she shall not be bound by the promise: because her husband gainsaid it, and the Lord will be merciful to her.

Numbers 30:12 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 30:12

But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he
heard them
Declaring they were contrary to his mind and will, he disapproved of them, and forbid the carrying them into execution:

then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or
concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand;
though her husband be dead, or she be divorced from him:

her husband hath made them void, and the Lord shall forgive her:
she will neither incur his displeasure for not fulfilling her vow, nor have any punishment inflicted on her: the Targum of Jonathan is,

``if her husband makes them void, and she knows it not and transgresses, it shall be forgiven her by the Lord.''

Numbers 30:12 In-Context

10 (30-11) If the wife in the house of her husband, hath bound herself by vow and by oath,

11 (30-12) If her husband hear, and hold his peace, and doth not disallow the promise, she shall accomplish whatsoever she had promised.

12 (30-13) But if forthwith he gainsay it, she shall not be bound by the promise: because her husband gainsaid it, and the Lord will be merciful to her.

13 (30-14) If she vow and bind herself by oath, to afflict her soul by fasting, or abstinence from other things, it shall depend on the will of her husband, whether she shall do it, or not do it.

14 (30-15) But if the husband hearing it hold his peace, and defer the declaring his mind till another day: whatsoever she had vowed and promised, she shall fulfil: because immediately as he heard it, he held his peace.