Numbers 30:1-6

1 Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel, "This is what the LORD has commanded [about vows]:

2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD that he will do something or swears an oath that he won't do something, he must not break his word. He must do everything he said he would do.

3 "A young girl, who still lives in her father's house, might make a vow to the LORD that she will do something or swear an oath that she won't do something.

4 If her father says nothing to her when he hears about it, her vow or oath must be kept.

5 But if her father objects when he hears about it, her vow or oath doesn't have to be kept. The LORD will free her [from this vow or oath] because her father objected.

6 "An unmarried woman might make a vow that she will do something or carelessly promise that she won't do something. When she marries,

Numbers 30:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 30

Mention being made, in the latter part of the preceding chapter, of vows to be performed to the Lord, besides the sacrifices directed to; here some account is given of them, and men are charged to fulfil, and not break them, Nu 30:1,2 but as to women, if a maid, being in her father's house, made a vow in his hearing, and he silent at it, her vow stood; but if he disapproved of it, it was null and void, Nu 30:3-5 and so a wife, when she vowed a vow in the hearing of her husband, and he said not ought against it, it was valid; but if he objected to it, it stood for nothing, Nu 30:6-8, likewise a widow, or one divorced, that made a vow in her husband's house, before he died, or she was put away from him, and he did not contradict it, it remained in force and to be fulfilled; but if he made it void, it stood not, and she was forgiven, Nu 30:9-12 it being in an husband's power to confirm or make null a vow or oath, made by his wife to afflict her soul; but if he made any void after he heard them, and had been silent, he himself was to bear her iniquity, Nu 30:13-16.