Numbers 30 10

Numbers 30:10 kjv

And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;

Numbers 30:10 nkjv

"If she vowed in her husband's house, or bound herself by an agreement with an oath,

Numbers 30:10 niv

"If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or obligates herself by a pledge under oath

Numbers 30:10 esv

And if she vowed in her husband's house or bound herself by a pledge with an oath,

Numbers 30:10 nlt

"But suppose a woman is married and living in her husband's home when she makes a vow or binds herself with a pledge.

Numbers 30 verses

Numbers 30 10 Meaning

Numbers 30:10 addresses the situation of vows or pledges made by a woman who is married and thus under her husband's authority. The verse states that if such a woman makes a solemn promise or self-binding commitment while she is "in her husband's house"—meaning, as his wife under his headship—this vow or pledge, often sealed with an oath, falls within a specific legal and spiritual framework. This introduction sets the stage for the subsequent verses (30:11-15) which delineate the husband's power to either confirm or annul such commitments, thereby ensuring the spiritual integrity of the wife and the unity of the household before God.

Numbers 30 10 Context

Numbers Chapter 30 is a specific set of divine ordinances concerning vows made to the Lord. Coming after regulations related to war and land distribution, this chapter emphasizes the serious spiritual implications of spoken promises. The broader context of Israel's journey through the wilderness establishes the need for clear laws to maintain social order and spiritual purity within the camp. This chapter articulates how the binding nature of vows differs based on a person's authority structure: men are always bound; single women under their father's authority can have vows annulled by their father; and wives, under their husband's authority, require their husband's knowledge and assent for vows to be fully binding. Verse 10 specifically hones in on the circumstances of a woman who is already married, reinforcing that any new vow or self-imposed restriction she undertakes must pass through the filter of her husband's oversight, reflecting the divinely appointed patriarchal structure of the family in ancient Israel.

Numbers 30 10 Word analysis

• And if she vowed: Hebrew: וְאִם נָדְרָה (ve'im nadra)
  • And if: וְאִם (ve'im) - Functions as a conditional conjunction, linking this clause to preceding scenarios while introducing a new specific case or a generalized principle applying to married women.
  • she vowed: נָדְרָה (nadra) - From the verb נָדַר (nadar), meaning "to make a vow" or "to dedicate." This is a solemn religious promise made to God, carrying significant spiritual weight and demanding fulfillment. It implies a conscious and deliberate commitment.
• in her husband's house: Hebrew: בֵּית אִישָׁהּ (beit isha)
  • in her: בֵּית (beit) - The construct form of בַּיִת (bayit), "house." In Hebrew, "house" signifies not just a physical dwelling but the entire family unit, its dependents, and the sphere of authority.
  • husband's: אִישָׁהּ (isha) - "her man, her husband." This term emphasizes the marital bond and the position of authority the husband holds within the household. To be "in her husband's house" implies her status as a wife, legally and socially under his headship, which is critical to the validity of her vows.
• or bound herself: Hebrew: אָסְרָה נַפְשָׁהּ (asera nafsha)
  • or: אָו (o) - Connects an alternative action or type of solemn promise.
  • bound herself: אָסְרָה (asera) - From the verb אָסַר (asar), "to bind, to confine, to impose an obligation upon." This refers to taking on a personal restriction or an internal obligation.
  • her soul: נַפְשָׁהּ (nafsha) - "her soul, her self, her life, her being." In Hebrew thought, the nefesh represents the totality of the person, including their will and inner life. To "bind one's soul" signifies a profound, internal, and often self-denying commitment, impacting her very essence.
• by a pledge with an oath: Hebrew: בְּאֵסָר וּשְׁבֻעָה (be'esar ushvu'ah)
  • by a pledge: בְּאֵסָר (be'esar) - From the root אָסַר (asar), related to "binding." An esar is a specific type of binding obligation or restriction (e.g., self-imposed abstinence or a commitment akin to elements of the Nazirite vow).
  • with an oath: וּשְׁבֻעָה (ushvu'ah) - From the verb שָׁבַע (shava), "to swear, to take an oath." An oath formally invokes a divine witness or sacred entity, adding another layer of solemnity and accountability to the pledge.

Words-Group analysis

• And if she vowed in her husband's house: This opening phrase introduces the main subject: the circumstances under which a married woman makes a solemn promise. It specifies that her marital status and the corresponding sphere of her husband's authority are critical factors for determining the validity of her vows, setting the framework for the ensuing legal provisions.
• or bound herself by a pledge with an oath: This second clause expands the scope beyond merely a formal "vow" (a nadar). It includes other forms of profound personal commitments and self-restrictions—explicitly involving "binding one's soul" (a deep internal pledge) and made "with an oath" (invoking divine witness). This comprehensive language ensures that various types of solemn promises made by a married woman fall under the regulations outlined in the rest of the chapter concerning spousal authority.

Numbers 30 10 Bonus section

The phrase "bound herself" uses the reflexive form, nafshah ("her soul"), underscoring that this type of pledge is self-imposed and touches the innermost being of the person. This is often distinguished from nadar (a vow of offering) in rabbinic tradition, focusing more on self-denial or restriction (like abstaining from certain food or pleasure). The repetition of asar (bound, pledge) emphasizes the solemnity and the self-restricting nature of this type of obligation. While this particular law highlights male authority within a patriarchal society, the underlying theological principle emphasizes God's concern for covenant faithfulness and the protection of individuals from self-inflicted spiritual harm. The husband's power to nullify (Num 30:11-15) is not simply an act of dominance but a divine provision of grace, allowing a way for the woman to be absolved from potential guilt if a vow was unwise or contrary to the familial good, ultimately demonstrating divine mercy embedded in the Law. This showcases a meticulous legal framework designed to balance personal piety with community responsibility and the sacredness of both vows and family relationships.

Numbers 30 10 Commentary

Numbers 30:10 concisely sets forth the context for vows made by a married woman, serving as a critical component in Israelite legal ethics regarding promises to God. The phrase "in her husband's house" signifies her status under his headship, underscoring the divinely established patriarchal order within the covenant community. This provision was not arbitrary; it served a dual purpose: it protected the wife from inadvertently incurring sin through rash vows conflicting with family commitments or her husband's will, and it maintained the spiritual and social unity of the household. By allowing the husband to annul such vows under specific conditions (elaborated in subsequent verses), the Law of Moses mitigated potential discord and protected the family's integrity before God, while still upholding the fundamental seriousness of vows. The specific inclusion of "bound herself by a pledge with an oath" highlights the extensive nature of divine regulation, encompassing all forms of deeply personal and divinely attested commitments. This principle reflects God's ordered design for relationships, where authority carries responsibility for spiritual guardianship.