Numbers 30:5

5 (30-6) But if her father, immediately as soon as he heard it, gainsaid it, both her vows and her oaths shall be void, neither shall she be bound to what she promised, because her father hath gainsaid it.

Numbers 30:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 30:5

But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth
Disapproves of her vow, and expresses his dislike of it, and declares it null and void; which, if done at all, is to be done on the same day he hears it, and not on another day, as Aben Ezra observes; not the day following, and much less on a third or fourth day and it might be done on a sabbath day F21:

not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she bound her soul,
shall stand;
but become null and void, she being at the control of her father, and having nothing in her own power, and at her own disposal, to vow or consecrate, but wholly in the power and at the disposal of her father:

and the Lord shall forgive her;
the breach of her vow, it shall not be imputed to her as a sin:

because her father disallowed her;
so that it was no fault of hers that it was not fulfilled; though she might be blameworthy to make one, without previously obtaining his consent, and making it rashly without his previous knowledge, she not being at her own hands; and in this respect may be said to be forgiven by the Lord, which supposes some fault committed.


FOOTNOTES:

F21 Misn. Sabbat, c. 24. sect. 5.

Numbers 30:5 In-Context

3 (30-4) If a woman vow any thing, and bind herself by an oath, being in her father’s house, and but yet a girl in age: if her father knew the vow that she hath promised, and the oath wherewith she hath bound her soul, and held his peace, she shall be bound by the vow:
4 (30-5) Whatsoever she promised and swore, she shall fulfil in deed.
5 (30-6) But if her father, immediately as soon as he heard it, gainsaid it, both her vows and her oaths shall be void, neither shall she be bound to what she promised, because her father hath gainsaid it.
6 (30-7) If she have a husband, and shall vow any thing, and the word once going out of her mouth shall bind her soul by an oath,
7 (30-8) The day that her husband shall hear it, and not gainsay it, she shall be bound to the vow, and shall give whatsoever she promised.
The Douay-Rheims Bible is in the public domain.