King James Version
Numbers 30
16 verses with commentary
Laws About Vows
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
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KJV Study Commentary
Moses speaking to Israel's tribal heads about vows establishes that promises made to God are serious matters requiring community leadership's attention. The instruction begins with leaders, who must then teach their people. This demonstrates that spiritual leadership includes teaching about commitment and integrity. Vows are voluntary, but once made, they become binding obligations. The Reformed e...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**11. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not--**Either they were not parties to their father's crime, or they withdrew from it by timely repentance. His descendants became famous in the time of David, and are often mentioned in the Psalms [Psa 42:1; 44:1; 45:1; 46:1; 47:1; 48:1; 49:1; 84:1; 85:1; 87:1; 88:1], also in 1Ch 6:22, 38.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 30
Chapter Outline
Vows to be kept.(1-2)
The cases wherein vows might be released.(3-16)
**Verses 1-2**
No man can be bound by his own promise to do what he is already, by the Divine precept, forbidden to do. In other matters the command is, that he shall not break his words, through he may change his mind.
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. break: Heb. profane
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KJV Study Commentary
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.' This establishes the solemn binding nature of vows made to God. The Hebrew 'neder' (נֶדֶר, vow) means a voluntary promise beyond required obedience, while 'shebuah' (שְׁבוּעָה, oath) involves invoking God's name as witness. Th...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**12. The sons of Simeon--**It is supposed that this tribe had been pre-eminent in the guilt of Baal-peor and had consequently been greatly reduced in numbers.
Thus God's justice and holiness, as well as His truth and faithfulness, were strikingly displayed: His justice and holiness in the sweeping judgments that reduced the ranks of some tribes; and His truth and faithfulness in the extraordin...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 30
Chapter Outline
Vows to be kept.(1-2)
The cases wherein vows might be released.(3-16)
**Verses 1-2**
No man can be bound by his own promise to do what he is already, by the Divine precept, forbidden to do. In other matters the command is, that he shall not break his words, through he may change his mind.
If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;</strong> This verse begins the section on vows made by women, establishing principles of authority, responsibility, and covenant faithfulness within family structures. "Vow a vow" translates <em>neder</em> (נֶדֶר), a voluntary commitment to God beyond what the law requires. "Bind ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **If a woman also . . . —**Four distinct cases are contemplated in the following verses in regard to vows taken by women:—(1) that of an unmarried woman, living, in her youth, in the house of her father; (2) that of a woman who is unmarried at the time of making a vow, but enters into the state of marriage before the vow is fulfilled; (3) that of a widow, or of a divorced woman; and (4) that o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Her father shall hold his peace at her</strong> (הֶחֱרִישׁ לָהּ אָבִיהָ, heḥerish lah aviha)—The father's silence constitutes legal ratification. <em>Ḥarash</em> (to be silent) here carries juridical weight: what is not vetoed is validated. This principle reveals God's care for order within covenant households while protecting young women from rash oaths.<br><br><strong>Then all her vows s...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If her father disallow her</strong> (וְהֵנִיא אָבִיהָ אֹתָהּ, veheni aviha otah)—The verb <em>nû'</em> means to hinder, restrain, or forbid. Critically, this nullification must occur <strong>in the day that he heareth</strong> (בְּיוֹם שָׁמְעוֹ, beyom shom'o)—immediate response required. Delayed objection validates the vow, preventing capricious later interference.<br><br><strong>The LORD ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **The Lord shall forgive her—**i.e., she would not incur the guilt or punishment which would otherwise have been incurred by neglecting to fulfil the vow which she had made.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; she vowed: Heb. her vows were upon her
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If she had at all an husband, when she vowed</strong>—This verse introduces marital authority superseding paternal authority at marriage. The emphatic infinitive absolute construction (<em>ve'im hayo tihyeh le'ish</em>) stresses the certainty of this transfer: when she becomes <strong>an husband</strong>'s (לְאִישׁ, le'ish, literally 'to/for a man'), covenant headship shifts.<br><br><stron...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **And if she had at all an husband . . . . —**Better, *And if she should be married to a husband whilst her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips wherewith she hath bound her soul. *The case here contemplated appears to be that of a woman who married whilst under a vow. On the other hand the case of a woman who takes a vow after marriage is treated of further on in Numbers 30:10...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Her husband heard it, and held his peace at her</strong> (וְשָׁמַע אִישָׁהּ וְהֶחֱרִישׁ לָהּ, veshama ishah veheḥerish lah)—The same principle applies in marriage as under paternal authority: silence equals ratification. <strong>In the day that he heard it</strong> (בְּיוֹם שָׁמְעוֹ, beyom shom'o) again emphasizes the same-day requirement. The husband cannot later claim ignorance or change...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>If her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it</strong> (וְאִם־בְּיוֹם שְׁמֹעַ אִישָׁהּ יָנִיא אוֹתָהּ, ve'im-beyom shemo'a ishah yani otah)—The verb <em>nû'</em> (disallow, forbid) gives the husband authority to nullify vows, but only immediately upon hearing. <strong>He shall make her vow...of none effect</strong> (וְהֵפֵר אֶת־נִדְרָהּ, vehefer et-nidrah)—<em>Hefer</em> means ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.
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KJV Study Commentary
The exception that widows' and divorced women's vows stood binding ('But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced...shall stand against her') recognized their independent status without male oversight. This demonstrates biblical law's nuance—general patriarchal oversight had exceptions for women without husbands. Such women bore direct accountability before God for their vows, without mal...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath</strong>—This verse addresses vows made by married women (נֶדֶר אִשָּׁה בְּבֵית אִישָׁהּ <em>neder ishah beveit ishah</em>, 'vow of a woman in her husband's house'), distinguishing them from single women under father's authority (vv.3-5) or widows/divorcees with independent status (v.9). The phrase <strong>bo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **And if she vowed in her husband’s house, or bound her soul . . . —**i.e., if she took a vow of performance or of abstinence whilst in the house of her husband.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand</strong>—A husband's silence (הֶחֱרִישׁ <em>heche'rish</em>, held peace/kept silent) upon hearing his wife's vow constituted ratification—<strong>all her vows shall stand</strong> (וְקָמוּ כָּל־נְדָרֶיהָ <em>vekamu kol-nedarei'h...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her</strong>—The emphatic phrase <strong>utterly made them void</strong> (הָפֵר יָפֵר <em>hafer yafer</em>, infinitive absolute + verb = 'compl...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void</strong>—The comprehensive statement <strong>every vow</strong> (כָּל־נֶדֶר <em>kol-neder</em>) and <strong>every binding oath to afflict the soul</strong> (כָּל־שְׁבֻעַת אִסָּר לְעַנֹּת נָפֶשׁ <em>kol-shevu'at isar le'anot nafesh</em>, oaths involving self-denial/fasting) e...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(13) **Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul.—**Reference is again made to the two kinds of vows which are treated of in this chapter—viz., a vow to do anything, and a vow to abstain from anything.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers
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Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them</strong>—The phrase <strong>altogether hold his peace from day to day</strong> (הַחֲרֵשׁ יַחֲרִישׁ... מִיּוֹם אֶל־יוֹם <em>hacharesh yacharish... miyom el-yom</em>, in...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity</strong>—The phrase <strong>any ways make them void after</strong> (הָפֵר יָפֵר אֹתָם אַחֲרֵי שָׁמְעוֹ <em>hafer yafer otam acharei shom'o</em>, 'utterly annul them after his hearing') describes attempting annulment after the same-day window closed. The result: <strong>he shall bear her i...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house</strong>—This closing formula (אֵלֶּה הַחֻקִּים <em>eleh hachukkim</em>, 'these are the statutes') summarizes Numbers 30's comprehensive vow regulations governing relationships <strong>between</strong> (בֵּין <em>bein</em>, re...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 3-16**
Two cases of vows are determined. The case of a daughter in her father's house. When her vow comes to his knowledge, it is in his power either to confirm it or do it away. The law is plain in the case of a wife. If her husband allows her vow, though only by silence, it stands. If he disallows it, her obligation to her husband takes place of it; for to him she ought to be in sub...
Read full commentary →