Numbers 30 Study Notes

30:9 In the case of a widow or divorced woman, she no longer lived under the patriarchal authority of her father or husband, so she had the same status and responsibility as a man with regard to vows.

30:10-15 In the patriarchal society of ancient Israel, vows could be annulled by the husband if they were considered detrimental to the woman, to her husband, or to the husband-wife relationship. Special considerations were given to the circumstances under which the wife took a vow, when the husband was apprised of the commitment, and how he responded to the information. The cases of Hannah (1Sm 1:11) and the mother of Samson (Jdg 13:1-23) are good examples of vow-taking under the condition of childlessness.