Numbers 30:3
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;
Numbers 30:3 in other translations
| BSB | And if a woman in her father’s house during her youth makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge, |
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| WEB | “Also, when a woman vows a vow to the LORD and binds herself by a pledge, being in her father’s house, in her youth, |
| ASV | Also when a woman voweth a vow unto Jehovah, and bindeth herself by a bond, being in her father’s house, in her youth, |
| YLT | ‘And when a woman voweth a vow to Jehovah, and hath bound a bond in the house of her father in her youth, |
| DARBY | If a woman also vow a vow to Jehovah, and bind herself by a bond, in her father's house in her youth, |
| BBE | If a woman, being young and under the authority of her father, takes an oath to the Lord or gives an undertaking; |
| Webster | If a woman also shall vow a vow to the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth; |
What does Numbers 30:3 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
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--Girls only are specified; but minors of the other sex, who resided under the parental roof, were included, according to Jewish writers, who also consider the name "father" as comprehending all guardians of youth. We are also told that the age at which young people were deemed capable of vowing was thirteen for boys and twelve for girls. The judgment of a father or guardian on the vow of any under his charge might be given either by an expressed approval or by silence, which was to be construed as approval. But in the case of a husband who, after silence from day to day, should ultimately disapprove or hinder his wife's vow, the sin of non-performance was to be imputed to him and not to her [Nu 30:15].
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 3 In her youth - That is, say the rabbins, under twelve years of age; and under thirteen in case of a young man. Young persons of this age were considered to be under the authority of their parents, and had consequently no power to vow away the property of another. A married woman was in the same circumstances, because she was under the authority of her husband. If however the parents or the husband heard of the vow, and objected to it in the same day in which they heard of it, (Num 30:5), then the vow was annulled; or, if having heard of it, they held their peace, this was considered a ratification of the vow. A rash vow was never to be kept; "for," says Philo, and common sense and justice say the same, "he who commits an unjust action because of his vow adds one crime to another, 1. By making an unlawful vow; 2. By doing an unlawful action."
Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Numbers 30:3-16
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 subjection, as unto the Lord. The Divine law consults the good order of families. It is fit that every man should bear rule in his own house, and have his wife and children in subjection; rather than that this great rule should be broken, or any encouragement be given to inferior relations to break those bonds asunder, God releases the obligation even of a solemn vow. So much does religion secure the welfare of all societies; and in it the families of the earth have a blessing.
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Numbers 30:3 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Context
- 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.
- Numbers 30:3
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;
- Numbers 30:4
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.
Numbers 30:3 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Cuando alguno hiciere voto á Jehová, ó hiciere juramento ligando su alma con obligación, no violará su palabra: hará conforme á todo lo que salió de su boca. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | Quand un homme aura fait un vœu à l’ Éternel, ou quand il aura fait un serment, pour lier son âme par une obligation, il ne violera pas sa parole; il fera selon tout ce qui sera sorti de sa bouche. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | Wenn ein Mann dem Jehova ein Gelübde tut, oder einen Eid schwört, ein Verbindnis auf seine Seele zu nehmen, so soll er sein Wort nicht brechen: nach allem, was aus seinem Munde hervorgegangen ist, soll er tun. - |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Si quis virorum votum Domino voverit, aut se constrinxerit juramento: non faciet irritum verbum suum, sed omne quod promisit, implebit. |