Deuteronomy 23:22 kjv
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.
Deuteronomy 23:22 nkjv
But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you.
Deuteronomy 23:22 niv
But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.
Deuteronomy 23:22 esv
But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin.
Deuteronomy 23:22 nlt
However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow.
Deuteronomy 23 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 23:21 | "When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it..." | Direct preceding context, obligation of vow. |
| Num 30:2 | "If a man makes a vow to the Lord... he shall not break his word." | Principle of vow integrity. |
| Eccl 5:4 | "When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it..." | Warning against delay in vow fulfillment. |
| Eccl 5:5 | "It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay." | Strong parallel, emphasizes better to refrain. |
| Lev 5:4 | "If anyone utters a rash oath... he is guilty." | Guilt for unfulfilled rash oaths. |
| Lev 27:1-34 | "The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the people of Israel: When anyone makes a special vow...'" | Laws concerning types and redemption of vows. |
| Gen 28:20-22 | "Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me...'" | Example of a patriarch making a vow. |
| Jdg 11:30-31 | "And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, 'If you will give the Ammonites into my hand...'" | Tragic consequence of a hasty vow. |
| 1 Sam 1:11 | "She made a vow and said, 'O Lord of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant...'" | Hannah's vow for a son. |
| Ps 66:13-14 | "I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows... which my lips uttered..." | Personal commitment to fulfill vows. |
| Ps 76:11 | "Make vows to the Lord your God and perform them;" | Exhortation to performance of vows. |
| Ps 116:14 | "I will pay my vows to the Lord in the presence of all his people." | Public commitment to vow fulfillment. |
| Prov 20:25 | "It is a snare to a person to devote rashly something as holy and after a vow to make inquiry." | Danger of hasty or ill-considered vows. |
| Matt 5:33-37 | "But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all... Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’." | Jesus' teaching emphasizing integrity over formal oaths. |
| Jas 5:12 | "Above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath..." | Apostolic exhortation similar to Jesus' teaching. |
| Acts 18:18 | "After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and sailed for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow." | Vows practiced in the early Christian context. |
| Acts 21:23-24 | "Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow... Then all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you..." | Participation in a Nazarite vow to maintain unity. |
| Mal 1:14 | "Cursed be the cheat who has a male in his flock and vows it, and yet sacrifices to the Lord a blemished animal." | Warning against dishonest vow fulfillment. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Focus on core divine requirements, not human self-imposed ones. |
| Gal 5:1 | "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery." | General principle of freedom from unnecessary burdens or laws. |
Deuteronomy 23 verses
Deuteronomy 23 22 Meaning
Deuteronomy 23:22 teaches that one is not inherently guilty of sin for choosing not to make a solemn promise or vow to God. Guilt only arises when a vow, once freely made, is subsequently unfulfilled or delayed. The verse underscores personal liberty and removes any divine compulsion or sin attached to the act of refraining from vowing.
Deuteronomy 23 22 Context
Deuteronomy 23 is part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land. This chapter contains a series of miscellaneous laws concerning community purity, ethical conduct, and financial integrity within the covenant relationship. Verses 21-23 specifically address the subject of vows (nedarim). While v.21 emphasizes the strict obligation to fulfill any vow made to God, v.22 serves as a vital counterbalance, clarifying that making such a vow is entirely optional. Historically, vows were voluntary promises to God, often made during times of distress, gratitude, or specific dedication, involving offerings, abstention, or service. The cultural context recognized the solemnity of such pledges, binding the individual to their word before God. There is an indirect polemic against any notion that God demands burdensome, self-imposed obligations for acceptance, rather clarifying that such actions, if undertaken, fall under human responsibility to uphold, but are not necessary for a right standing with Him.
Deuteronomy 23 22 Word analysis
But if you refrain (וְכִי תֶחְדַּל - v'khi tekhdal):
וְכִי(v'khi): "But if." A conjunction that strongly introduces a conditional clause, establishing a clear contrast or alternative to the previous verse (Deut 23:21). It emphasizes choice.תֶחְדַּל(tekhdal): "you refrain," "you cease," "you abstain," "you hold back." This word denotes a conscious, deliberate choice to desist from an action. It's not passive neglect, but an active decision not to engage in something.- Significance: Highlights the voluntariness of vows; one can choose not to make one.
from vowing (לִנְדֹּר - lindor):
לִנְדֹּר(lindor): The infinitive form of the verb "to vow," from the rootנֶדֶר(neder). A neder is a solemn, free-will promise made directly to God, often involving giving something (like an offering, money, or property) or refraining from something (like a Nazirite vow).- Significance: Refers to any solemn pledge made to God, distinguishing it from commanded laws.
you will not be guilty of sin (לֹא יִהְיֶה בְךָ חֵטְא - lo yiheyeh bekha khet):
לֹא יִהְיֶה(lo yiheyeh): "there will not be," "it will not happen." A direct negation, clearly stating the absence of a negative outcome.בְךָ(bekha): "in you," "upon you," "by you." Indicating the guilt would reside with or on the individual.חֵטְא(khet): "sin," "guilt," "fault," "offense," "missing the mark." This term broadly describes an act of moral or ritual transgression against God's standards or laws, incurring divine displeasure or punishment.- Significance: This phrase is crucial. It explicitly absolves a person of any moral failing or offense against God for simply not making a vow. God does not demand such personal commitments. The absence of action (not vowing) carries no penalty.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But if you refrain from vowing": This phrase establishes the specific condition under which no guilt occurs. It places the initiative squarely on the individual. It contrasts the spontaneous act of vowing with the deliberate act of not vowing. This is a point of personal freedom within the covenant, showing that not all pious acts are obligatory. God respects personal decision here.
- "you will not be guilty of sin": This declares the legal and spiritual consequence of choosing not to vow. No moral failing, no divine retribution, no spiritual debt is incurred. It clarifies that such an act of refraining does not "miss the mark" of God's expectations. This speaks to God's character as one who does not arbitrarily impose burdens beyond explicit commands. It also counters any internal human inclination to believe that more sacrifice or self-imposed obligations are necessary for God's favor.
Deuteronomy 23 22 Bonus section
The Hebrew legal framework distinguished clearly between divine commands (mitzvot) and personal vows (nedarim). Divine commands are obligatory; neglecting them is sin. Vows, however, belong to the category of free-will offerings or commitments. While deeply solemn, their binding nature arises from the individual's choice to make them, not from a prior divine imperative to make them. This verse exemplifies a key theological concept: God delights in heartfelt obedience and devotion, but not in forced piety or self-imposed burdens that lead to a sense of guilt if unfulfilled. It also subtly prepares the way for New Testament teachings about freedom from legalistic burdens and the emphasis on sincerity of heart over external rules and rituals (Matt 5:33-37; Jas 5:12). The freedom here is not a license for unfaithfulness, but rather an affirmation that walking with God does not require self-ensnaring commitments beyond His express will.
Deuteronomy 23 22 Commentary
Deuteronomy 23:22 is a profound statement of divine principle and human liberty within the Mosaic covenant. While God demands unwavering faithfulness to any promise made to Him (Deut 23:21), He does not demand that promises be made in the first place. The core message is that vowing is always a voluntary act. No one is commanded or morally obligated by God to make a vow. Consequently, there is no guilt, no sin, and no negative divine consequence if one chooses not to make any vow at all. This verse provides critical balance, ensuring that individuals do not feel compelled to incur a solemn obligation simply for religious duty or perceived spiritual gain. It underscores that true obedience lies in fulfilling what is commanded, and personal vows, though sometimes noble, remain outside that realm of strict divine command. This teaching reflects God's desire for genuine obedience over ritualistic compulsion.
- Practical usage example: A person contemplating making a significant pledge to a ministry (a vow to God) should consider this verse. It encourages prayerful consideration and a clear understanding that while generosity is commendable, making a specific, binding vow is optional. If they choose not to make a formal vow, they are not lesser in God's eyes.