King James Version

What Does Numbers 30:5 Mean?

Numbers 30:5 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 30:5 · KJV


Context

3

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;

4

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.

5

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.

6

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

7

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If her father disallow her (וְהֵנִיא אָבִיהָ אֹתָהּ, veheni aviha otah)—The verb nû' means to hinder, restrain, or forbid. Critically, this nullification must occur in the day that he heareth (בְּיוֹם שָׁמְעוֹ, beyom shom'o)—immediate response required. Delayed objection validates the vow, preventing capricious later interference.

The LORD shall forgive her (וַיהוָה יִסְלַח־לָהּ, vaYHWH yislaḥ-lah)—Salaḥ (to forgive, pardon) appears exclusively with God as subject in the Old Testament. Though she made a binding oath to Yahweh, His grace covers the unfulfilled vow when proper authority nullifies it. This foreshadows how Christ's authority releases us from obligations we cannot fulfill (Matthew 16:19).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The same-day requirement prevented fathers from using vow-nullification as a tool of manipulation. Once a father heard his daughter's vow and remained silent, he bore responsibility for its consequences. This balanced protection of the vulnerable with respect for the binding nature of oaths made to God—a revolutionary legal protection for women in the ancient world.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's forgiveness for an annulled vow reveal about His understanding of human authority structures within covenant relationship?
  2. How should the same-day requirement inform our own decision-making about commitments—both in accepting them and in advising others?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאִם1 of 22
H518

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

הֵנִ֥יא2 of 22

disallow

H5106

to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize

אָבִ֖יהָ3 of 22

But if her father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֹתָהּ֮4 of 22
H853

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

בְּי֣וֹם5 of 22

her in the 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

שָׁמְעוֹ֒6 of 22

that he heareth

H8085

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

כָּל7 of 22
H3605

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

נְדָרֶ֗יהָ8 of 22

not any of her vows

H5088

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

וֶֽאֱסָרֶ֛יהָ9 of 22

or of her bonds

H632

an obligation or vow (of abstinence)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 22
H834

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

אָֽסְרָ֥ה11 of 22

wherewith she hath bound

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

עַל12 of 22
H5921

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

נַפְשָׁ֖הּ13 of 22

her soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

לֹ֣א14 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָק֑וּם15 of 22

shall stand

H6965

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

וַֽיהוָה֙16 of 22

and the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

יִֽסְלַח17 of 22

shall forgive

H5545

to forgive

לָ֔הּ18 of 22
H0
כִּֽי19 of 22
H3588

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

הֵנִ֥יא20 of 22

disallow

H5106

to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize

אָבִ֖יהָ21 of 22

But if her father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֹתָֽהּ׃22 of 22
H853

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


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 30:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 30:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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