Numeri 30:2

Nova Vulgata

[30:3] Si quis virorum votum Domino voverit aut se constrinxerit iuramento, non faciet irritum verbum suum, sed omne, quod promisit, implebit.

Parallel Translations

Clementine Latin Vulgate (1592)
Et locutus est ad principes tribuum filiorum Isra�l : Iste est sermo quem pr�cepit Dominus :

Jerome's Latin Vulgate (405)
Et locutus est ad principes tribuum filiorum Isra�l: Iste est sermo quem pr�cepit Dominus:

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

If a man: The preceding chapters had treated of sacrifices required by law; and in the laws here delivered in respect to vows must have been very useful, as they both prevented and annulled rash vows, and provided a proper sanction for the support and performance of those which were rationally made, and which were made to the Lord.

vow a vow: Numbers 21:2, Genesis 28:20-22, Leviticus 27:2-34, Deuteronomy 23:21, Deuteronomy 23:22, Judges 11:11, Judges 11:30, Judges 11:31, Judges 11:35, Judges 11:36, Judges 11:39, Psalms 15:3, Psalms 56:12, Psalms 76:11, Psalms 119:106, Proverbs 20:25

swear: Exodus 20:7, Leviticus 5:4, Matthew 5:33, Matthew 5:34, Matthew 14:7-9, Acts 23:12, 2 Corinthians 1:23, 2 Corinthians 9:9-11

to bind: Numbers 30:3, Numbers 30:4, Numbers 30:10, Matthew 23:16, Matthew 23:18,*Gr: Acts 23:12, Acts 23:14, Acts 23:21

break: Heb. profane, Psalms 55:20,*marg.

he shall do: Job 22:27, Psalms 22:25, Psalms 50:14, Psalms 66:13, Psalms 66:14, Psalms 116:14, Psalms 116:18, Ecclesiastes 5:4, Ecclesiastes 5:5, Nahum 1:15

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 23:23 - That which Joshua 2:17 - General Ecclesiastes 5:2 - not rash Jeremiah 44:17 - whatsoever Ezekiel 17:16 - whose oath Acts 5:3 - to keep

Gill's Notes on the Bible

If a man vow a vow unto the Lord,.... Which must be in a thing that is lawful to be done, which is not contrary to the revealed will and mind of God, and which may tend to the glory of God, the honour of religion, the service of the sanctuary, the good of a man's self or of his neighbour; or in things purely indifferent, which may, or may not be done, without offence to God or man; as that he will not eat such a thing for such a time, or he will do this or the other thing, as Jarchi observes; who moreover says, that he may forbid himself what is forbidden, and forbid what is free and lawful; but he may not make free or lawful what is forbidden, that is, he may not vow to do a thing which is contrary to the law of God, such a vow will not stand: and he was to be of such an age before he could make a vow that would be valid; according to the Targum of Jonathan, he must be thirteen years of age; it is said in the Misnah p,

"a son of twelve years and one day, his vows are examined; a son of thirteen years and one day, his vows are firm, and they examine the whole thirteenth year before that time; although they say we know to whose name (or on whose account) we vow or consecrate, their vow is no vow, nor their consecration no consecration; but after that time, though they say we know not to whose name (or, on whose account) we vow or consecrate, their vow is a vow, and their consecration a consecration:''

or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; to his vow adds an oath for the greater confirmation of it, and to lay himself under the greater obligation to perform it:

he shall not break his word; or profane it q but punctually perform it; men should be careful how they vow, and not rashly do it; but when they have vowed, they ought to perform; see Ecclesiastes 5:4:

he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth; it is not in his power to revoke his vow or make it null: the Misnic doctors r say, a man can loose all vows, excepting his own. R. Judah says, not the vows of his wife, nor those which are between her and others; that is, as one of the commentators s explains it, such vows which are not made to afflict, or respect not fasting; but according to the Targum of Jonathan, though a man cannot loose his vows, or free himself from them, yet the sanhedrim, or court of judicature, can, or a wise man that is authenticated thereby, as Jarchi says, or three private persons; but these are such traditions; which make void the commandment of God, as our Lord complains, Matthew 15:1

p Niddah, c. 5. sect. 6. q לא יחל r Negaim, c. 5. sect. 5. s Bartenora in Misn. Negaim, c. 5. sect. 5.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

The “vow” was positive; the “bond” negative or restrictive. By a vow a man engaged to dedicate something to God, or to accomplish some work for Him: by a bond he debarred himself from some privilege or enjoyment. A vow involved an obligation to do: a bond, an obligation to forbear doing.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Numbers 30:2. If a man vow a vow — A vow is a religious promise made to God. Vows were of several kinds:-

1. Of abstinence or humiliation, see ver. Numbers 30:13;

2. Of the Nazarite, see Numbers 6:1-21;

3. Of giving certain things or sacrifices to the Lord, Leviticus 7:16;

4. Of alms given to the poor, see Deuteronomy 23:21.

The law in this chapter must have been very useful, as it both prevented and annulled rash vows, and provided a proper sanction for the support and performance of those that were rationally and piously made. Besides, this law must have acted as a great preventive of lying and hypocrisy. If a vow was properly made, a man or woman was bound, under penalty of the displeasure of God, to fulfil it.