Numbers 30:12 kjv
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
Numbers 30:12 nkjv
But if her husband truly made them void on the day he heard them, then whatever proceeded from her lips concerning her vows or concerning the agreement binding her, it shall not stand; her husband has made them void, and the LORD will release her.
Numbers 30:12 niv
But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then none of the vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will release her.
Numbers 30:12 esv
But if her husband makes them null and void on the day that he hears them, then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning her pledge of herself shall not stand. Her husband has made them void, and the LORD will forgive her.
Numbers 30:12 nlt
But if her husband refuses to accept it on the day he hears of it, her vow or pledge will be nullified, and the LORD will forgive her.
Numbers 30 12 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 30:1 | Moses told the heads of the tribes... concerning the LORD. | Intro to vow laws, Moses' authority. |
| Num 30:3-5 | If a woman makes a vow... and her father... hears of it and silences her, none of her vows... shall stand. | Father's authority over unmarried daughter's vows. |
| Num 30:6-8 | If she vows... and afterward marries... and her husband... does nothing to invalidate it, then her vows... shall stand. | Husband's assent validates earlier vow of betrothed. |
| Num 30:9 | The vow of a widow or a divorced woman... shall stand against her. | Women without male household head are fully responsible. |
| Num 30:10-11 | But if she vows... when married, and her husband invalidates it the day he hears... then it shall not stand. | Directly sets up the scenario of the current verse. |
| Num 30:14 | Every vow and every binding oath... that her husband makes null, he has made null. | Emphasizes husband's active role in annulling. |
| Num 30:15 | But if her husband makes them null after he has heard them... then he shall bear her iniquity. | Husband bears guilt if he delays annulment. |
| Deut 23:21 | When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it. | General law about seriousness of vows. |
| Ecc 5:4 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it... | Consequences of unfulfilled vows. |
| Psa 15:4 | ...who swears to his own hurt and does not change... | Righteous person upholds their oath even when difficult. |
| Matt 5:33-37 | Again you have heard that it was said... 'You shall not swear falsely...' Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes'... | Jesus' teaching on oaths, promoting simplicity and truth. |
| Jas 5:12 | But above all, my brothers, do not swear... but let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'... | Echoes Jesus' teaching on integrity in speech. |
| Eph 5:22 | Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. | New Testament teaching on wife's submission. |
| Eph 5:23 | For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church... | New Testament principle of husband's headship. |
| Col 3:18 | Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. | Similar instruction on wifely submission. |
| Col 3:19 | Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. | Balances authority with responsibility and love. |
| 1 Cor 11:3 | But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband... | Establishes hierarchical authority structure in God's order. |
| Gen 3:16 | To the woman he said, "I will surely multiply your pain..." | Consequences of the Fall, impacting husband-wife relationship. |
| Num 6:1-21 | Nazarite vow... If a woman vows... her father/husband... | Another type of vow which could be subjected to similar annulment rules, if applicable. |
| Ps 103:3 | who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases... | God's general character of forgiveness. |
| Is 1:18 | Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow... | Illustration of God's forgiveness for sin. |
| Mic 7:18 | Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression... | Emphasizes God's unique nature as a forgiving God. |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins... | New Testament principle of confessing sin for forgiveness. |
| Heb 10:26 | For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins... | Distinguishes deliberate sin from other circumstances, reinforcing "forgive her" in Nu 30:12. |
Numbers 30 verses
Numbers 30 12 Meaning
Numbers 30:12 addresses the specific legal and spiritual standing of a vow made by a married woman. It stipulates that if her husband hears of her vow or binding oath and immediately invalidates it on that same day, then the vow or bond she made carries no weight or obligation. In such a case, her husband's annulment is legally and divinely upheld, and the woman is absolved of any guilt or sin concerning that unfulfilled vow by the Lord. This demonstrates divine endorsement of the husband's authority in household governance regarding his wife's self-imposed spiritual obligations.
Numbers 30 12 Context
Numbers Chapter 30 details the divine regulations concerning vows, specifically distinguishing how vows made by individuals under male authority (daughters, wives) are handled differently from those made by independent persons (men, widows, divorced women). This particular verse, Numbers 30:12, is part of a sequence (verses 10-15) that addresses the vows of a married woman. It defines the parameters for a husband's authority to nullify his wife's vow. The underlying historical context involves a patriarchal society where women's legal standing was often tied to their male head (father or husband), reflecting a societal and divine order designed to maintain household unity and spiritual integrity, ensuring that individual pledges did not inadvertently contradict family commitments or expose family members to unintended liabilities before God. The emphasis is on clear, timely annulment, contrasted with the husband bearing guilt if he allows a vow to stand for a day and then tries to annul it (Num 30:14-15).
Numbers 30 12 Word analysis
- But if: Introduces a specific conditional scenario, highlighting a legal allowance.
- her husband: (Hebrew: ’īšāh - אִישָׁהּ, literally "her man/husband"). Refers to the head of the household, vested with authority over his wife in specific spiritual and financial matters.
- hath utterly made them void: (Hebrew: hepher hēpharām - הֵפֵר הֵפֵרָם). The verb hepher means to break, annul, frustrate, make void. The repetition of the root hepher (infinitive absolute followed by imperfect verb) emphasizes the complete and definite nature of the annulment—it is "utterly," "certainly," or "emphatically" made void. This denotes decisive action.
- on the day he heard them: Crucial temporal clause. Annulment must be immediate upon learning, reflecting the importance of timely discernment and communication within the household. Any delay (as seen in verse 14) renders the annulment invalid for the husband, binding him instead.
- then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips: Encompasses all verbal commitments, signifying anything she spoke that might be considered a vow or an oath.
- concerning her vows: (Hebrew: nidreyha - נִדְרֶיהָ, from neder - נֶדֶר). A neder is a promise made to God, typically a solemn pledge to perform an action or dedicate something to God. These were binding obligations.
- or concerning the bond of her soul: (Hebrew: issar naphshah - אִסָּר נַפְשָׁהּ, from issar - אִסָּר). An issar is a restrictive oath, an abstinence or prohibition self-imposed, like a pledge to fast or abstain from certain foods/activities. This implies a deeper personal commitment or self-denial "binding her soul." It carries severe spiritual implications if broken.
- shall not stand: (Hebrew: lo yaqum - לֹא יָקוּם). Lit. "shall not arise." This signifies that the vow has no legal, spiritual, or ethical validity; it is nullified, as if it was never made.
- her husband hath made them void: Reiteration of the annulment, affirming his specific, active role in cancelling the vows.
- and the LORD shall forgive her: (Hebrew: YHWH yislach lah - יְהוָה יִסְלַח לָהּ). This is paramount. It demonstrates God's explicit endorsement of the husband's authority. The woman is not held accountable by God for the non-fulfillment of the vow, as it was effectively never valid in God's eyes from the moment of annulment. This removes guilt and divine consequence from her, preventing sin on her part. This implies a protective aspect of God's law.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them": This phrase establishes the condition and the effective agent of annulment. It emphasizes the absolute and immediate nature of the husband's nullification, which is the cornerstone of the entire verse. This prompt and decisive action is key to God's forgiveness of the wife.
- "then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand": This delineates the scope of the annulment—all types of verbal commitments made by the wife that carry religious or spiritual weight. The consequence, "shall not stand," clarifies that these promises lose all their binding force and are no longer operative.
- "her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her": This closing clause highlights both the human action and the divine ratification. The husband's action is sufficient because it aligns with God's ordained order, leading to God's forgiveness for the woman, ensuring she incurs no sin or spiritual debt. It underscores the divine authority underpinning the husband's headship in this specific context.
Numbers 30 12 Bonus section
The laws in Numbers 30 regarding vows demonstrate a nuanced understanding of responsibility and authority within a structured society under God's covenant. They show that while personal vows are serious, they are also viewed through the lens of one's relational status within the family and community. God, being sovereign, sets the conditions under which vows are binding, recognizing the authority structures He institutes. The annulment is not arbitrary but divinely sanctioned within specific parameters. This concept also serves as a protective measure for women in a patriarchal society, shielding them from the unforeseen spiritual repercussions of vows made impulsively or without their head-of-household's approval. The absence of culpability (the Lord "shall forgive her") emphasizes that in this particular framework, disobedience is not imputed when an annulled vow goes unfulfilled.
Numbers 30 12 Commentary
Numbers 30:12 provides a vital framework for understanding divine order within the ancient Israelite family, specifically regarding vows. It clarifies that a married woman's vows are not unilaterally binding before God; they are subject to her husband's immediate ratification or annulment. The core principle is that if the husband voids a vow on the very day he learns of it, that vow effectively ceases to exist in God's eyes. This prevents a wife from being spiritually culpable for unfulfilled vows that might go against household interests or her husband's desires. The husband's timely action safeguards his wife from incurring sin, reflecting God's compassion and upholding a specific delegated authority. It illustrates that obedience to established divine structures can lead to divine grace and forgiveness, ensuring household unity without spiritual condemnation.