Numbers 30:1-8

1 Then Moses summoned the leaders of the tribes of Israel and told them, “This is what the LORD has commanded:

2 A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do.

3 “If a young woman makes a vow to the LORD or a pledge under oath while she is still living at her father’s home,

4 and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand.

5 But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The LORD will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them.

6 “Now suppose a young woman makes a vow or binds herself with an impulsive pledge and later marries.

7 If her husband learns of her vow or pledge and does not object on the day he hears of it, her vows and pledges will stand.

8 But if her husband refuses to accept her vow or impulsive pledge on the day he hears of it, he nullifies her commitments, and the LORD will forgive her.

Numbers 30:1-8 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Verses 30:1-16 are numbered 30:2-17 in Hebrew text.