Numbers 30:6
New International Version
“If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself

New Living Translation
“Now suppose a young woman makes a vow or binds herself with an impulsive pledge and later marries.

English Standard Version
“If she marries a husband, while under her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself,

Berean Standard Bible
If a woman marries while under a vow or rash promise by which she has bound herself,

King James Bible
And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;

New King James Version
“If indeed she takes a husband, while bound by her vows or by a rash utterance from her lips by which she bound herself,

New American Standard Bible
“However, if she happens to marry while under her vows or the impulsive statement of her lips by which she has obligated herself,

NASB 1995
“However, if she should marry while under her vows or the rash statement of her lips by which she has bound herself,

NASB 1977
“However, if she should marry while under her vows or the rash statement of her lips by which she has bound herself,

Legacy Standard Bible
“However, if she should marry while under her vows or the rash statement of her lips by which she has bound herself,

Amplified Bible
“But if she marries while under her vows or if she has bound herself by a rash statement,

Christian Standard Bible
“If a woman marries while her vows or the rash commitment she herself made are binding,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a woman marries while her vows or the rash commitment she herself made are binding,

American Standard Version
And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul,

English Revised Version
And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"An unmarried woman might make a vow that she will do something or carelessly promise that she won't do something. When she marries,

Good News Translation
If an unmarried woman makes a vow, whether deliberately or carelessly, or promises to abstain from something, and then marries,

International Standard Version
"If she has a husband and she makes a vow that is binding on herself, or if she makes a hasty vow with her mouth that she pledges herself to fulfill,

Majority Standard Bible
If a woman marries while under a vow or rash promise by which she has bound herself,

NET Bible
"And if she marries a husband while under a vow, or she uttered anything impulsively by which she has pledged herself,

New Heart English Bible
"If she has a husband, while her vows are on her, or the rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul,

Webster's Bible Translation
And if she had a husband when she vowed, or uttered aught from her lips, with which she bound her soul;

World English Bible
“If she has a husband, while her vows are on her, or the rash utterance of her lips with which she has bound her soul,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if she is having a husband, and her vows [are] on her, or a wrongful utterance [on] her lips which she has bound on her soul,

Young's Literal Translation
And if she be at all to a husband, and her vows are on her, or a wrongful utterance on her lips, which she hath bound on her soul,

Smith's Literal Translation
And if being she shall be to a husband, and her vows upon her, or the babbling of her lips which she bound upon her soul:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If she have a husband, and shall vow any thing, and the word once going out of her mouth shall bind her soul by an oath:

Catholic Public Domain Version
If she has a husband, and she has vowed anything, then, once the word has gone out of her mouth, she will have obligated her soul by an oath.

New American Bible
“If she marries while under a vow or under a rash pledge to which she bound herself,

New Revised Standard Version
If she marries, while obligated by her vows or any thoughtless utterance of her lips by which she has bound herself,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if she is given in marriage to a husband, and her vows are upon her or she has uttered anything out of her lips by which she bound herself.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if she will belong to a husband and her vows are upon her or a devoted offering of her lips that she bound on herself;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if she be married to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the clear utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if she should be indeed married, and her vows be upon her according to the utterance of her lips, in respect of the obligations which she has contracted upon her soul;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws Concerning Vows
5But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, then none of the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will absolve her because her father has prohibited her. 6If a woman marries while under a vow or rash promise by which she has bound herself, 7and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her on that day, then the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

Psalm 15:4
who despises the vile but honors those who fear the LORD, who does not revise a costly oath,

Matthew 15:4-6
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ / he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Mark 7:10-13
For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), / he is no longer permitted to do anything for his father or mother. ...

Genesis 24:3
and I will have you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites among whom I am dwelling,

Leviticus 27:2-8
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, / if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. / Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. ...

Acts 23:12-14
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. / More than forty of them were involved in this plot. / They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.

1 Corinthians 7:36-38
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. / But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well. / So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.

Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, / so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. / And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”

1 Samuel 25:3
His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings.


Treasury of Scripture

And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, with which she bound her soul;

she vowed.

Psalm 56:12
Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

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Aught Bound Clear Herself However Husband Lips Makes Married Marries Marry Oath Ought Passed Promise Rash Soul Statement Time Undertaking Utter Utterance Uttered Vow Vowed Vows Wherewith
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Aught Bound Clear Herself However Husband Lips Makes Married Marries Marry Oath Ought Passed Promise Rash Soul Statement Time Undertaking Utter Utterance Uttered Vow Vowed Vows Wherewith
Numbers 30
1. Vows are not to be broken
3. The exceptions of a maid's vows
6. Of a wife's
9. Of a widow's or her that is divorced














If a woman marries
The phrase begins with a conditional "if," indicating a situation that may or may not occur. The Hebrew word for "woman" here is "ishah," which can mean woman or wife, depending on the context. In ancient Israelite society, marriage was a significant covenant, and the transition from a father's house to a husband's authority was a pivotal moment in a woman's life. This phrase sets the stage for understanding the relational dynamics and responsibilities within a marriage covenant, emphasizing the importance of vows and promises in the eyes of God.

while under a vow
The Hebrew word for "vow" is "neder," which refers to a solemn promise or commitment made to God. Vows were taken very seriously in the biblical context, as they were considered binding and sacred. This phrase highlights the spiritual and moral weight of vows, underscoring the expectation that individuals honor their commitments to God. It reflects the broader biblical principle that one's word should be trustworthy and that promises made to God are not to be taken lightly.

or rash promise
The term "rash promise" translates from the Hebrew "issar," which implies an impulsive or thoughtless commitment. This phrase acknowledges human fallibility and the tendency to make hasty decisions without fully considering the consequences. It serves as a cautionary note about the importance of deliberation and wisdom in making commitments, especially those involving one's relationship with God. The inclusion of this phrase suggests a compassionate understanding of human nature and the need for grace and discernment.

by which she has bound herself
The concept of binding oneself through a vow or promise is central to this passage. The Hebrew root "asar" means to bind or tie, indicating a self-imposed obligation. This phrase emphasizes personal responsibility and the power of one's words to create binding commitments. In the biblical context, this binding is not merely legal but spiritual, reflecting the covenantal nature of relationships with God and others. It serves as a reminder of the integrity and accountability expected of believers in their spiritual walk.

(6) And if she had at all an husband . . . . --Better, And if she should be married to a husband whilst her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips wherewith she hath bound her soul. The case here contemplated appears to be that of a woman who married whilst under a vow. On the other hand the case of a woman who takes a vow after marriage is treated of further on in Numbers 30:10-13. The cognate verb of the word mibta, rash utterance, occurs in Leviticus 5:4, and seems to denote something which is uttered without reflection.

Verse 6. - If she had at all a husband. Literally, "if being she be to an husband." Septuagint, ἐὰν γενομένη γένηται ἀνδρί. Case second, of a married or betrothed woman. As far as the legal status of the woman was concerned, there was little difference under Jewish law whether she were married or only betrothed. In either case she was accounted as belonging to her husband, with all that she had (cf. Deuteronomy 22:23, 24; Matthew 1:19, 20). When she vowed. Rather, "and her vows be upon her." Septuagint, καὶ αἱ εὐχαὶ αὐτῆς ἐπ αὐτῇ. The vows might have been made before her betrothal, and not disallowed by her father; yet upon her coming under the power of her husband he had an absolute right to dissolve the obligation of them; otherwise it is evident that he might suffer loss through an act of which he had no notice. Or uttered ought out of her lips. Rather, "or the rash utterance of her lips." The word מִבְטָא, which is not found elsewhere (cf. Psalm 106:33), seems to have this meaning. Such a vow made by a young girl as would be disallowed by her husband when he knew of it would presumably be a "rash utterance."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

a woman marries
הָי֤וֹ (hā·yōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

while under a vow
וּנְדָרֶ֖יהָ (ū·nə·ḏā·re·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised

or
א֚וֹ (’ōw)
Conjunction
Strong's 176: Desire, if

rash promise
מִבְטָ֣א (miḇ·ṭā)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4008: A rash utterance

by which
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

she
נַפְשָֽׁהּ׃ (nap̄·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

has bound
אָסְרָ֖ה (’ā·sə·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 631: To yoke, hitch, to fasten, to join battle

herself,
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT Law: Numbers 30:6 If she be married to a husband (Nu Num.)
Numbers 30:5
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