Numbers: Preparing A People To Conquer (XXVIII)

Rules About Vows (30:1-16)

Neal Pollard

Vows preceded the Law of Moses (Jacob commits to give a tenth of his possessions to God, if He delivered him, Gen. 28:20). A vow “connotes the act of verbally devoting to the service of God, i.e., vowing to perform, to make an offering, or to abstain from something” (TWOT 557). God reinforces how serious such commitments are, and later we will see some who make some costly ones (like Jephthah and Saul). Here, God prepares the conquerors-to-be by helping them master their words.

GOD MAKES THE LEADERSHIP ACCOUNTABLE (1ff). This command was spoken “to the heads of the tribes” (1). Notice how God holds a man accountable for his vow (2). It is binding, cannot be violated, and must do “according to all that proceeds out of his mouth” (2). 

GOD MAKES PROVISION FOR AN UNMARRIED OR BETROTHED WOMAN WHO MAKES A VOW (3-8). Her father could nullify her vow on the same day if he hears it (3-5). So could her husband, after the same manner (6-8). If neither did this on her behalf, she was bound to her vow. 

GOD’S PROVISION FOR WOMEN WHO ARE OR HAVE BEEN MARRIED (9-15). Widowed and divorced women who vowed were bound to such, just as men were. Wives’ vows fell into two categories, much like the unmarried or engaged woman. Her vow could be made void by her husband without penalty (10-12). But, if he said nothing on the day of her vow, the vow was in force and he shares her guilt (13-15). 

Vows were binding unless someone who had recognized authority over her nullified it. This was a matter of “forgiveness” or “guilt.” God listens to our words. They matter to Him, how ever much or little they mean to us. Jesus would teach His disciples that their word alone should be sufficient and need no oath (Mat. 5:33-37). He would also warn, ” “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mat. 12:36-37). There’s an old children’s song that counsels, “Oh be careful little mouths what you say….” That is sage advice for big mouths, too!