King James Version

What Does Numbers 30:14 Mean?

Numbers 30:14 in the King James Version says “But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 30:14 · KJV


Context

12

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.

13

Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.

14

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.

15

But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.

16

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.


Commentary

KJV Study 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—The phrase altogether hold his peace from day to day (הַחֲרֵשׁ יַחֲרִישׁ... מִיּוֹם אֶל־יוֹם hacharesh yacharish... miyom el-yom, intensive silence day after day) emphasizes repeated, ongoing silence beyond the initial hearing-day. This ongoing silence irreversibly established vows—he confirmeth them because he held his peace (הֵקִים אֹתָם כִּי־הֶחֱרִישׁ heqim otam ki-heche'rish).

The repetitive emphasis on timing and silence establishes a crucial principle: exercising spiritual authority requires timeliness—delay forfeits authority to intervene. Eli's sons 'made themselves vile, and he restrained them not' (1 Samuel 3:13), incurring divine judgment. Spiritual leaders must act when discernment requires, not wait hoping problems resolve themselves. Silence in the face of error becomes complicity.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'day to day' formulation clarified that once the hearing-day passed without annulment, subsequent days' silence couldn't be retroactively applied. This legal precision prevented both hasty authority exercise and indefinite uncertainty about vow status, creating clear timelines for all parties.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the principle of authority forfeited through silence challenge passive leadership hoping problems resolve without intervention?
  2. What does the irreversibility of silence-ratified vows teach about the permanence of consequences from leadership abdication?
  3. How can you cultivate discernment to know when situations require immediate intervention versus when wisdom counsels patient waiting?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְאִם1 of 25
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ2 of 25

altogether

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ3 of 25

altogether

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

לָ֥הּ4 of 25
H0
אִישָׁהּ֮5 of 25

But if her husband

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בְּי֥וֹם6 of 25

at her from day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֶל7 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּי֥וֹם8 of 25

at her from day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הֵקִ֣ים9 of 25

then he establisheth

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֶת10 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל11 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נְדָרֶ֔יהָ12 of 25

all her vows

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

א֥וֹ13 of 25
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

אֶת14 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל15 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֱסָרֶ֖יהָ16 of 25

or all her bonds

H632

an obligation or vow (of abstinence)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 25
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָלֶ֑יהָ18 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הֵקִ֣ים19 of 25

then he establisheth

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אֹתָ֔ם20 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כִּֽי21 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ22 of 25

altogether

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

לָ֖הּ23 of 25
H0
בְּי֥וֹם24 of 25

at her from day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

שָׁמְעֽוֹ׃25 of 25

that he heard

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 30:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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