King James Version

What Does Numbers 30:7 Mean?

Numbers 30:7 in the King James Version says “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 bond... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Numbers 30:7 · KJV


Context

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.

8

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.

9

But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Her husband heard it, and held his peace at her (וְשָׁמַע אִישָׁהּ וְהֶחֱרִישׁ לָהּ, veshama ishah veheḥerish lah)—The same principle applies in marriage as under paternal authority: silence equals ratification. In the day that he heard it (בְּיוֹם שָׁמְעוֹ, beyom shom'o) again emphasizes the same-day requirement. The husband cannot later claim ignorance or change his mind; immediate response or permanent acceptance.

Her vows shall stand (וְקָמוּ נְדָרֶיהָ, veqamu nedareyha)—Once established through the husband's acquiescence, the vow has full legal and spiritual force. This protects wives from husbands who might retroactively object to inconvenient commitments. The law balanced male headship with accountability, preventing tyranny while maintaining order.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Unlike Greco-Roman law where husbands held virtually unlimited authority over wives (including life-and-death power in some cases), Mosaic law constrained male authority with procedural requirements and divine oversight. A husband's silence bound him as much as it bound his wife—mutual accountability before Yahweh.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the same-day requirement prevent manipulation while still honoring marital headship?
  2. In what ways should Christian husbands view their authority as protective accountability rather than unilateral control?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
שָׁמְע֖וֹ1 of 14

heard

H8085

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

אִישָׁ֛הּ2 of 14

And 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)

בְּי֥וֹם3 of 14

at 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

שָׁמְע֖וֹ4 of 14

heard

H8085

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

וְהֶֽחֱרִ֣ישׁ5 of 14

it and held his peace

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

לָ֑הּ6 of 14
H0
יָקֻֽמוּ׃7 of 14

shall stand

H6965

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

נְדָרֶ֗יהָ8 of 14

it then her vows

H5088

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

וֶֽאֱסָרֶ֛הָ9 of 14

and her bonds

H632

an obligation or vow (of abstinence)

אֲשֶׁר10 of 14
H834

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

אָֽסְרָ֥ה11 of 14

wherewith she bound

H631

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

עַל12 of 14
H5921

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

נַפְשָׁ֖הּ13 of 14

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

יָקֻֽמוּ׃14 of 14

shall stand

H6965

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


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 30:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study