Deuteronomy 23 21

Deuteronomy 23:21 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 23:21 nkjv

"When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.

Deuteronomy 23:21 niv

If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your God will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23:21 esv

"If you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23:21 nlt

"When you make a vow to the LORD your God, be prompt in fulfilling whatever you promised him. For the LORD your God demands that you promptly fulfill all your vows, or you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23 verses

Deuteronomy 23 21 Meaning

Deuteronomy 23:21 unequivocally states that a vow made to the Lord God must be fulfilled without delay. This command highlights the sanctity of a promise made to God, emphasizing that procrastination or failure to pay it is not merely negligence but is considered sin. God holds individuals accountable for their commitments to Him.

Deuteronomy 23 21 Context

Deuteronomy 23 falls within a section of detailed laws governing the conduct of the Israelite community, ensuring their holiness and distinctness as God's covenant people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This chapter addresses various aspects of purity, social relations, and financial practices within the covenant. Verses 21-23 specifically deal with the matter of vows. In the broader Deuteronomic context, the emphasis is always on wholeheartedly loving and obeying God, remembering His commands as the foundation for their blessing and success. This particular verse on vows underscores the seriousness with which God views promises made to Him, integrating it into the larger theme of covenant faithfulness and accountability. Vows were voluntary but, once made, transformed into a binding obligation, a serious commitment between the individual and the sovereign God. In the ancient Near East, vows were common practices in various cults, but Israel's laws underscored a higher standard of integrity and accountability to Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 23 21 Word analysis

• When you make a vow (כִּי־תִדֹּר נֶדֶר, ki-tidōr neder):

  • תִדֹּר (tidōr): From the verb נָדַר (nadar), meaning "to vow," "to promise." It signifies a solemn, voluntary undertaking or promise made to God, often conditional on His favor or in gratitude, or dedicating something.
  • נֶדֶר (neder): The noun form, "a vow," "a promise." It typically involved committing to give an offering, perform an action, or abstain from something specific (e.g., Nazirite vow). This term differs from an "oath" (שְׁבוּעָה, shevu'ah), which typically affirms truth or commits to an action using God's name, often to another person. A neder is primarily a commitment to God.

• to the Lord your God (לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, laYhwh ʾĕlōheyḵā):

  • לַיהוָה (laYhwh): "To Yahweh," emphasizing the specific covenant God of Israel. This highlights the personal and sacred nature of the commitment; it is not to any deity, but to the one true God who demands faithfulness.
  • אֱלֹהֶיךָ (ʾĕlōheyḵā): "Your God," reinforcing the personal covenant relationship and individual responsibility.

• you shall not delay to pay it (לֹא תְאַחֵר לְשַׁלְּמוֹ, lōʾ tĕʾaḥēr lĕshallĕmô):

  • לֹא (lōʾ): "Not," a strong prohibition.
  • תְאַחֵר (tĕʾaḥēr): From the verb אָחַר (ʾaḥar), "to be late," "to tarry," "to procrastinate." This emphasizes the promptness required. Delay implies disrespect or negligence toward God's holiness and His authority.
  • לְשַׁלְּמוֹ (lĕshallĕmô): From the verb שָׁלַם (shalem), "to pay," "to make good," "to complete." It means to fulfill entirely and exactly what was vowed.

• for the Lord your God will surely require it of you (כִּי דָּרֹשׁ יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מֵעִמָּךְ, kî dārōš yiḏrĕšennû Yhwh ʾĕlōheyḵā mēʿimmākh):

  • דָּרֹשׁ יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ (dārōš yiḏrĕšennû): This is an infinitive absolute followed by the imperfect form of the verb דָּרַשׁ (darash), "to seek," "to require," "to demand." This construction is a powerful Hebrew idiom indicating strong emphasis and certainty; "He will certainly and emphatically require it." It signifies God's active pursuit and expectation of fulfillment.
  • מֵעִמָּךְ (mēʿimmākh): "From you," reiterating the individual accountability.

• and it would be sin in you (וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵטְא, vĕhāyāh vĕkhā ḥēṭʾ):

  • חֵטְא (ḥēṭʾ): "Sin," "a missing of the mark," "a transgression against God." This defines the consequence of not paying the vow promptly. It elevates procrastination in this context to the level of an offense against God Himself, not just a social slight.

Deuteronomy 23 21 Bonus section

• Voluntary but Binding: A key aspect of vows is that they are voluntary. God does not compel a vow, as verse 22 states, "If you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin." However, once undertaken, the voluntary act becomes an absolute, non-negotiable obligation. This demonstrates the integrity and sincerity God requires from His covenant people.
• The Weight of Words: This verse emphasizes the power and gravity of human speech, especially when directed toward God. It teaches that one's "yes" should truly mean "yes," echoing principles later seen in the New Testament (Mat 5:37, Jas 5:12). Rash or insincere words become a snare, incurring divine displeasure.
• Divine Initiative and Human Response: While the emphasis here is on human accountability, it is always framed within the context of God's covenant with Israel. God's holiness and His graciousness in allowing His people to make personal commitments to Him demand a response of absolute integrity. This law ensures that interactions with the sacred realm are approached with utmost seriousness.

Deuteronomy 23 21 Commentary

Deuteronomy 23:21 lays bare the grave responsibility accompanying a vow made to the Almighty God. While a vow (נֶדֶר, neder) is always voluntary at its inception, once spoken and committed to Yahweh, it transforms into an unbreakable obligation. The command "you shall not delay to pay it" (לֹא תְאַחֵר לְשַׁלְּמוֹ, lo t'aher l'shalemo) is paramount, signifying that dilly-dallying or postponing one's commitment to God demonstrates a lack of respect and seriousness for the divine relationship.

The emphatic warning "for the Lord your God will surely require it of you" (כִּי דָּרֹשׁ יִדְרְשֶׁנּוּ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ מֵעִמָּךְ, ki darosh yidr'shennu Adonai Eloheykha me'immach) serves as a stern reminder of God's perfect justice and unwavering holiness. It communicates that God is not to be trifled with; He actively demands what is due to Him and holds individuals accountable. This strong expression using the infinitive absolute stresses the absolute certainty and vigor of His requirement. To neglect a vow is to fall short of one's word before the living God, and the consequence is clear: "it would be sin in you" (וְהָיָה בְךָ חֵטְא, v'hayah vekha chet). This pronouncement defines the failure to fulfill or delay payment of a vow not as mere forgetfulness or inconvenience, but as an act of transgression, a direct affront to God's character and command. The verse serves as a crucial ethical guideline, underscoring that our words to God must carry the weight of His expectation and our sincerity.