Numbers 30:2

If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses addresses the heads of the tribes of Israel, delivering a direct command from the LORD on the topic of vows and oaths.

The words — נֶ֜דֶר (neder, "a vow") and שְׁבֻעָ֙ (shevuah, "an oath") are paired as two distinct but parallel forms of binding oneself to Yahweh.

The thread — The obligation to fulfill vows to the LORD recurs in Psalms 50:14, Psalms 116:14, and Job 22:27.

Why it lands — A word spoken to God is not a suggestion; the verse removes the option of casual commitment.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

אִישׁ֩'isha man כִּֽי־ki-if יִדֹּ֨רyi.Dorhe will vow נֶ֜דֶרNe.dera vow לַֽיהוָ֗הla./Yah.wehto/ Yahweh אֽוֹ־'ov-or הִשָּׁ֤בַעhi.Sha.va'he will swear שְׁבֻעָה֙she.vu.'Ahan oath לֶאְסֹ֤רle/'.Sorto/ bind אִסָּר֙'i.Saran obligation עַל־'al-on נַפְשׁ֔וֹnaf.Sh/oself/ his לֹ֥אlo'not יַחֵ֖לya.Chelhe will violate דְּבָר֑וֹde.va.R/oword/ his כְּכָל־ke./khol-according to/ every הַיֹּצֵ֥אhai./yo.Tze'<the>/ [thing which] has gone out מִפִּ֖יוmi./Pi/vfrom/ mouth/ his יַעֲשֶֽׂה׃ya.'a.Sehhe will do

King James Version

If a man vow a vow unto the Lord, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.

Cross-references

Psalms 50:14 Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.
Psalms 116:14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all His people.
Job 22:27 You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow.
Psalms 66:13 I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You—
Acts 23:12 When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
Leviticus 5:4 Or if someone swears thoughtlessly with his lips to do anything good or evil—in whatever matter a man may rashly pronounce an oath—even if he is unaware of it, when he realizes it, he is guilty in the matter.
Numbers 30:3 And if a woman in her father’s house during her youth makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge,
Psalms 22:25 My praise for You resounds in the great assembly; I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You.
Psalms 55:20 My companion attacks his friends; he violates his covenant.