Numbers 30 7

Numbers 30:7 kjv

And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.

Numbers 30:7 nkjv

and her husband hears it, and makes no response to her on the day that he hears, then her vows shall stand, and her agreements by which she bound herself shall stand.

Numbers 30:7 niv

and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand.

Numbers 30:7 esv

and her husband hears of it and says nothing to her on the day that he hears, then her vows shall stand, and her pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand.

Numbers 30:7 nlt

If her husband learns of her vow or pledge and does not object on the day he hears of it, her vows and pledges will stand.

Numbers 30 verses

Numbers 30 7 Meaning

Numbers 30:7 outlines a specific scenario regarding a married woman's vow. If a woman makes a vow or binding promise, and her husband is aware of it and does not voice an objection on the day he hears, then that vow stands as fully valid and binding. The verse highlights the husband's active role in affirming or nullifying a vow his wife makes, emphasizing the serious nature of pledges made to God and the structure of authority within an Israelite household. His silence implies consent and confirms the vow's enforceability.

Numbers 30 7 Context

Numbers chapter 30 specifically deals with the sanctity of vows and pledges made to Yahweh, with particular focus on how these apply to women. In ancient Israelite society, which was patriarchal, women's legal status was often contingent on their male guardians – primarily their fathers, then their husbands. A vow to God was a serious religious and legal commitment, an oath that carried significant spiritual weight and implied severe consequences if broken. The chapter establishes a framework that balances the personal religious devotion of women with the societal order and authority structure of the family. Verses 6-8 specifically address the status of a vow made by a woman after she becomes married, or if she was a fiancée when she made it and then married. Verse 7 specifically addresses the situation where the husband does not object, thereby validating the vow, in contrast to verses like 8 where he does object.

Numbers 30 7 Word analysis

• But if she had at all a husband: we'im hayah lָah 'îsh (וְאִם־הָיָה לָהּ אִ֖ישׁ).

  • husband: ’îsh (אִישׁ). In this context, it refers to her spouse, signifying her legal status as a married woman under the authority of her husband. This is distinct from an unmarried daughter.
  • at all: This English translation emphasizes the conditional nature – "if she certainly had a husband." It highlights the definite change in her legal and spiritual standing upon marriage, directly affecting the validity of her vows.

• when she vowed: bənosrha (בְּנָדְרָהּ).

  • vowed: nâdar (נָדַר). This term specifically means to promise something to God, setting aside something for Him, or committing oneself to a specific religious act or abstinence. These were deeply solemn and sacred obligations, distinct from casual promises. The intent here is a formal, spiritual pledge.

• or uttered a rash promise with her lips: ô basâṭâh biśfeyhâ (א֛וֹ בִּטְּאָ֥ה בִשְׂפָתֶ֖יהָ).

  • uttered: bāṭāh (בָּטָה). While "uttered" is general, the Hebrew can imply a thoughtless, inconsiderate, or hasty utterance. It covers cases where the commitment might not have been as deliberate as a formal vow but still carries binding weight because it "came forth from her lips." This stresses the binding power of spoken words.
  • rash promise: While the English suggests rashness, the Hebrew emphasizes the act of "speaking out" or "articulating." The focus is on the declaration from her mouth, binding herself by her words. Even a spontaneous verbal commitment to God was considered weighty.
  • with her lips: biśfāteyhā (בִשְׂפָתֶ֖יהָ). Reinforces that the vow or promise was audibly expressed, not merely an internal thought, making it public and legally recognized. It signifies the public nature and definitive declaration.

• by which she bound herself: ’āser lāh nafśāh (אֲשֶׁ֤ר אָסְרָה֙ עַל־נַפְשָׁ֖הּ).

  • bound herself: ’āsar (אָסַר). To bind, tie, imprison. Here, it denotes a spiritual and legal obligation that "ties" or "commits" the person. It signifies the weighty and restricting nature of the vow, as if placing oneself in servitude to the commitment made before God.
  • herself: nafśāh (נַפְשָׁ֖הּ). Lit. "her soul" or "her person." This indicates a deep personal commitment involving her very being, emphasizing the profound self-imposition of the obligation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But if she had at all a husband when she vowed or uttered a rash promise with her lips": This phrase sets the critical legal precondition: the woman's marital status at the time the utterance was made. Her husband's presence fundamentally alters the dynamic of the vow's validity compared to an unmarried woman or a widow/divorced woman, as his consent or annulment authority comes into play. It addresses both deliberate vows and any significant spoken commitments.

• "by which she bound herself": This concluding phrase within the first part of the verse underlines the central consequence of speaking a vow or pledge: the speaker (here, the woman) becomes personally obligated to it. This personal binding (upon her 'soul' or 'person') is what makes the subsequent clauses about the husband's reaction so vital. Her words have already created a serious obligation in the sight of God.

Numbers 30 7 Bonus section

The Hebrew legal framework's emphasis on immediate annulment (implied by "on the day he heard") demonstrates the seriousness and finality once a vow stands. If the husband chose to annul (as per subsequent verses), it had to be done promptly and clearly, preventing any future ambiguity. This protected all parties: the woman, from the consequences of an unapproved vow; the husband, from obligations he didn't endorse; and God, by ensuring the integrity of vows made to Him. This passage underscores that while individuals have a direct relationship with God for making vows, these individual spiritual acts are nonetheless integrated into the broader societal and familial structures ordained by God, necessitating alignment and accountability.

Numbers 30 7 Commentary

Numbers 30:7 is pivotal in defining the responsibility and authority within a covenant family concerning vows. It assumes that a vow made to God is intrinsically serious and binding, regardless of who makes it. However, the legal system under the Mosaic Law introduced checks and balances based on societal hierarchy and guardianship. For a married woman, her identity and legal standing were intricately woven into her husband's. Therefore, while she could make vows personally, her husband's implicit or explicit consent was a necessary condition for its ongoing validity within the community and before God. This was not merely about male dominance but reflected the communal and family integrity that God intended. The principle of the husband hearing and remaining silent implying consent highlights a specific legal custom: a lack of immediate objection confirms the validity. This preserved the sanctity of the vow, as once validated, it became fully enforceable without recourse for the wife. This served to protect the woman from hastily made vows that could potentially bring ruin upon the family and to maintain proper order, ensuring that household spiritual commitments aligned with its head's leadership.