Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Making A Vow?

13 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Making A Vow in the Bible

Explore what the Bible says about making a vow. This collection of 14 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme.

13
Total Verses
10
Old Testament
3
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Making A Vow

  1. 1
    Leviticus 27:2
    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Numbers 6:2
    Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: to separate: or, to make themselves Nazarites
    KJV
  3. 3
    Numbers 30:1
    And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Numbers 30:2
    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
    KJV
  5. 5
    Deuteronomy 23:21
    When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Judges 11:30
    And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
    KJV
  7. 7
    Psalms 50:14
    Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
    KJV
  8. 8
    Psalms 76:11
    Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. unto him: Heb. to fear
    KJV
  9. 9
    Proverbs 20:25
    It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Ecclesiastes 5:4
    When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Making A Vow? (10 Verses)

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: to separate: or, to make themselves Nazarites
And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
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
When thou shalt vow a vow unto the LORD thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the LORD thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands,
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared. unto him: Heb. to fear
It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry.
When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Making A Vow? (3 Verses)

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Making A Vow

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about making a vow. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about making a vow and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about making a vow is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on making a vow needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about making a vow with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about making a vow, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Making A Vow?

You have studied 13 verses about making a vow. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about making a vow?
Explore what the Bible says about making a vow. This collection of 14 key Scripture passages reveals God's wisdom and guidance on this important theme. The Bible contains 13 key verses about making a vow spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about making a vow are there?
There are 13 key Bible verses about making a vow compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about making a vow?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about making a vow is Leviticus 27:2 — "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation."
Where in the Bible does it talk about making a vow?
Making A Vow is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 13 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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