Numbers 30 8

Numbers 30:8 kjv

But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.

Numbers 30:8 nkjv

But if her husband overrules her on the day that he hears it, he shall make void her vow which she took and what she uttered with her lips, by which she bound herself, and the LORD will release her.

Numbers 30:8 niv

But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the LORD will release her.

Numbers 30:8 esv

But if, on the day that her husband comes to hear of it, he opposes her, then he makes void her vow that was on her, and the thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she bound herself. And the LORD will forgive her.

Numbers 30:8 nlt

But if her husband refuses to accept her vow or impulsive pledge on the day he hears of it, he nullifies her commitments, and the LORD will forgive her.

Numbers 30 verses

Numbers 30 8 Meaning

Numbers 30:8 outlines a specific condition under which a wife's vow or self-imposed obligation can be rendered non-binding: if her husband hears of it on the day it is made and immediately nullifies it. In such a case, the wife is divinely forgiven for what would otherwise have been a binding religious commitment. This demonstrates God's order concerning headship in the family and His mercy.

Numbers 30 8 Context

Numbers chapter 30 primarily deals with the binding nature of vows made by individuals within the Israelite community, with specific attention paid to women. This particular verse, Numbers 30:8, is situated within a broader legal framework concerning vows, immediately following the regulations for unmarried daughters and preceding those for widows and divorced women. The historical context reflects a patriarchal society where the family unit, headed by the male, was fundamental to the social and religious order. Vows were serious, legally and religiously binding commitments, often involving specific actions or abstinences directed toward God, which could have significant implications for the household. This specific law clarifies the husband's God-given authority in the home and protects both the wife from the potential negative repercussions of a hasty vow and the family's integrity, ensuring that sacred obligations align with divine order and household headship. It establishes a clear legal path for a vow's nullification, preventing disputes or spiritual debt if the vow was against the family's welfare or God's design.

Numbers 30 8 Word analysis

• But if: Hebrew V'im (וְאִם). This phrase introduces a specific condition or exception to the preceding rule about a wife's vows becoming binding. It indicates a clear legal qualification.
• her husband: Hebrew 'îshāh (אִישָׁהּ). Literally "her man," signifying her proprietor, master, or head of the household. This term highlights the legal and societal authority held by the husband within ancient Israelite marriage.
• overrules her: The Hebrew verb here is mêphēr (מֵפֵר), the Hiphil participle of pārār (to break, to frustrate, to nullify), followed by yāqîm (יָקִים), Hiphil imperfect of qûm (to rise, establish, confirm). While pārār means to break or nullify, the use of yāqîm in some interpretations might suggest "if he sets out to make it void." However, in this context and standard translations, mêphēr governs the sense, clearly meaning to void or annul. It signifies the husband actively taking steps to nullify the vow.
• on the day he hears of it: Hebrew bəyōwm shām'ōw (בְּי֛וֹם שָׁמְע֜וֹ). This is a critical time constraint. The nullification must occur on the very day the husband becomes aware of the vow. Any delay makes the vow binding, reflecting divine law's precision and requirement for timely decision and action.
• then he nullifies: Hebrew vehefer (וְהֵפֵר). This is the Qal perfect of pārār, emphasizing the decisive action of nullification taken by the husband, making it effective.
• her vow: Hebrew nidrāh (נִדְרָהּ). A vow, a specific promise or dedication made directly to God, often involving abstaining from something or giving something. It's a weighty religious obligation.
• and her pledge: Hebrew wə'ēṯ miḇṭāʾ śəfāṯeihā (וְאֵ֖ת מִבְטָ֥א שְׂפָתֶ֖יהָ), "and the utterance of her lips." Miḇṭāʾ refers to the spoken utterance itself, signifying the vocal nature of the promise.
• by which she bound herself: Hebrew ʾăsher ʾāsarāh-ʿal-nap̄šāh (אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָֽסְרָה־עַל־נַפְשָׁ֑הּ), "which she bound upon her soul/person." ʾāsarāh (to bind) emphasizes the self-imposed, internal commitment and severe nature of the obligation she took upon herself. It points to a deep, personal undertaking.
• And the LORD will forgive her: Hebrew waYHWH yislach-lāh (וַיהוָ֖ה יִסְלַח־לָֽהּ). This is the divine declaration of clemency. It means she incurs no guilt before God for the unfulfilled vow because the nullification was lawfully carried out under His appointed authority. God validates the husband's action and releases the wife from spiritual accountability.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "But if her husband overrules her on the day he hears of it": This phrase highlights the conditionality, the agent of nullification (the husband), and the crucial time factor. The immediacy required reflects the seriousness of vows and the clear boundaries of authority God established.
• "then he nullifies her vow that she has made and her pledge by which she bound herself": This details what is being nullified – both the general vow (nidrāh) and the specific, verbal self-imposed obligation (miḇṭāʾ śəfāṯeihā ʾăsher ʾāsarāh-ʿal-nap̄šāh). This dual phrasing emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the annulment covering both the concept and the specific verbal act.
• "And the LORD will forgive her": This pivotal clause shows that God directly recognizes and sanctions the husband's legitimate act of nullification. The wife is not seen as breaking a vow, but as having her vow validly set aside by God's ordained authority, hence no guilt or penalty accrues to her from the divine perspective.

Numbers 30 8 Bonus section

The specific ruling in Numbers 30:8 implicitly carries the husband's responsibility. His failure to annul the vow on the very day he hears of it renders it binding on his wife, and potentially on him if its implications directly affect the household (Num 30:7). This places a significant burden of attentiveness and decisiveness upon the husband in his role as the family's head. This biblical principle highlights not merely the husband's authority, but also his duty to lead with wisdom and foresight, safeguarding the spiritual and material welfare of his household. The immediate divine forgiveness for the wife if the husband exercises his right emphasizes God's focus on maintaining order within the covenant community while simultaneously exercising grace toward individuals operating within established spiritual boundaries. It also points to the concept of delegated authority, where compliance with the human authority appointed by God (the husband) leads to divine acquittal.

Numbers 30 8 Commentary

Numbers 30:8 provides a clear testament to God's orderly design for the family and His character of justice tempered with mercy. It underscores the spiritual and legal headship of the husband within the Israelite household, granting him the authority to veto a vow made by his wife, but crucially, only under specific and immediate conditions. This law protects the marital unit from vows that might be rashly made, unintentionally burdensome, or contrary to the well-being of the family. The immediacy of the husband's action—"on the day he hears of it"—is paramount, reflecting the solemnity of vows; any delay renders the vow binding, shifting responsibility onto the husband. Most significantly, "the LORD will forgive her" ensures that the wife is absolved of any spiritual guilt or accountability to God for an obligation she assumed but was then legitimately overridden by her husband's divinely sanctioned authority. This divine forgiveness is not for sin, but for the removal of the obligation, underscoring God's upholding of His own established order within marriage. It reveals that God's laws are both precise in their demands and gracious in their provision, providing a way for peace and order within the family unit without compromising divine principles. This example serves as a model of structured responsibility and compassionate justice under God's law.