Bible Dictionary: Vows

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Smith's Bible Dictionary

Vows

A vow is a solemn promise made to God to perform or to abstain from performing a certain thing. The earliest mention of a vow is that of Jacob. (Genesis 28:18-22; 31:13) Vows in general are also mentioned in the book of Job, (Job 22:27) The law therefore did not introduce, but regulated the practice of, vows. Three sorts are mentioned: 1, Vows of devotion; 2, Vows of abstinence; 3, Vows of destruction.

As to vows of devotion, the following rules are laid down: A man might devote to sacred uses possessions or persons, but not the first-born of either man or beast, which was devoted already. (Leviticus 27:28) (a) If he vowed land, he might either redeem it or not Levi 25,27. (b) Animals fit for sacrifice if devoted, were not to be redeemed or changed, (Leviticus 27:9; 10:33) persons devoted stood thus: devote either himself, his child (not the first-born) or his slave. If no redemption took place, the devoted person became a slave of the sanctuary: see the case of Absalom. (2 Samuel 15:8) Otherwise he might be redeemed at a valuation according to age and sex, on the scale given in (Leviticus 27:1-7) Among general regulations affecting vows the following may be mentioned: (1) Vows were entirely voluntary but once made were regarded as compulsory. (Numbers 30:2; 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4) (2) If persons In a dependent condition made vows as (a) an unmarried daughter living in her father's house, or (b) a wife, even if she afterward became a widow the vow, if (a) in the first case her father, or (b) in the second her husband, heard and disallowed it, was void; but,if they heard without disallowance, it was to remain good. (Numbers 30:3-18) (3) Votive offerings arising from the produce of any impure traffic were wholly forbidden. (23:18)
For vows of abstinence, see CORBAN.
For vows of extermination ANATHEMA and (Ezra 10:8; Micah 4:13) It seems that the practice of shaving the head at the expiration of a votive period was not limited to the Nazaritic vow. (Acts 18:18; 21:24)

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Voluntary promises which, when once made, were to be kept if the thing vowed was right. They were made under a great variety of circumstances (Genesis 28: 18-22; Leviticus 7:16; Numbers 30:2-13; Deuteronomy 23:18; Judges 11:30, 39; 1 Samuel 1:11; Jonah 1:16; Acts 18:18; 21:23).

Greek

1964. epiorkeo -- to swear falsely
... falsely. Word Origin from epiorkos Definition to swear falsely NASB Word
Usage make false vows (1). perjure, swear falsely. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1964.htm - 6k

3727. horkos -- an oath
... oath. Word Origin akin to erkos (fence, enclosure) Definition an oath
NASB Word Usage oath (7), oaths (2), vows (1). oath. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3727.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

5087. nadar -- to vow
... root Definition to vow NASB Word Usage made (7), make (3), make vows (1), makes
(2), takes (1), vow (6), vowed (8), vowing (1), vows (2), you will vow (1). ...
/hebrew/5087.htm - 6k

5088. neder -- a vow
... Word Origin from nadar Definition a vow NASB Word Usage votive (3), votive offering
(1), votive offerings (5), vow (26), vows (24). vowed. ...
/hebrew/5088.htm - 6k

Library

Of Monastic Vows.
... Article XXVII: Of Monastic Vows. What is taught ... carefully planned prison.
Gradually, many other observances were added besides vows. ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxvii of monastic vows.htm

Whether it is Expedient to Take Vows?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether it is expedient to take vows? Objection
1: It would seem that it is not expedient to take vows. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is expedient to.htm

Whether all Vows are Binding?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether all vows are binding? Objection 1: It would
seem that vows are not all binding. For man needs things ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether all vows are binding.htm

Whether Vows Admit of Dispensation?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether vows admit of dispensation? Objection 1:
It would seem that vows are not subject to dispensation. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether vows admit of dispensation.htm

Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion
... Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion. A Sermon (No.1023). Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. ...
But we have, at any rate, most of us bound ourselves with occasional vows. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/praises and vows accepted in.htm

Of the Impediment of Vows and Orders (Four Articles)
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF VOWS AND ORDERS (FOUR ARTICLES). We must now consider the
impediment of vows and orders. Under this head there are four points of inquiry: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/of the impediment of vows.htm

That the Vows of those in Holy Orders and of Monks, and of Nuns ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XIX. That the vows of those in holy orders and
of monks, and of nuns are to be made without the exaction of gifts. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xix that the vows.htm

Youth Resolving by Vows and Prayer to Serve the Lord.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCCXVII. Youth resolving by Vows and Prayer to serve the Lord. ...
James Montgomery. Youth resolving by Vows and Prayer to serve the Lord. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn cccxvii youth resolving by.htm

Psalm 116:2. 12 &C. Second Part. Vows Made in Trouble Paid in the ...
... Second Part. Vows made in trouble paid in the church; or, Public thanks for private
deliverance. 1 What shall I render to my God For all his kindness shown? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 116 2 0 12 &c second.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... BOOK FOURTH. OF THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH CHAPTER 13. OF VOWS. THE MISERABLE
ENTANGLEMENTS CAUSED BY VOWING RASHLY. OF VOWS. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

Thesaurus

Vows (38 Occurrences)
... 21:23). Multi-Version Concordance Vows (38 Occurrences). Matthew 5:33 "Again
you have heard that it was said to them of old time,'You ...
/v/vows.htm - 19k

Votive (13 Occurrences)
... of Israel, and say to them,'Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners
in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any ...
/v/votive.htm - 10k

Obligation (17 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:2 When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul
with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that ...
/o/obligation.htm - 12k

Freewill (27 Occurrences)
... of Israel, and say to them,'Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners
in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any ...
/f/freewill.htm - 16k

Pledges (15 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he hears, none of her
vows, or of her bonds with which she has bound her soul, shall stand: and ...
/p/pledges.htm - 10k

Vowed (34 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:38 beside the sabbaths of the LORD, and beside your gifts, and beside
all your vows, and beside all your freewill-offerings, which ye give unto ...
/v/vowed.htm - 17k

Obligated (9 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:4 and her father hears her vow, and her bond with which she has bound
her soul, and her father holds his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand ...
/o/obligated.htm - 9k

Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)
... and say unto them, Whosoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners
in Israel, that offereth his oblation, whether it be any of their vows, or any ...
/f/free-will-offerings.htm - 8k

Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences)
... and say unto them, Whosoever he be of the house of Israel, or of the sojourners
in Israel, that offereth his oblation, whether it be any of their vows, or any ...
/f/freewill-offerings.htm - 9k

Vow (49 Occurrences)
... hand (Genesis 28:20-22, Jacob; Leviticus 27:2, 8 Numbers 30 Judges 11:30, Jephthah;
1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah; 2 Samuel 15:8, Absalom; Jonah 1:16, vows of heathen ...
/v/vow.htm - 27k

Bible Concordance

Vows (38 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:33 "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time,'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,'
(WEB WEY NAS)

Leviticus 22:18 "Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them,'Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it be any of their vows, or any of their freewill offerings, which they offer to Yahweh for a burnt offering;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Leviticus 23:38 besides the Sabbaths of Yahweh, and besides your gifts, and besides all your vows, and besides all your freewill offerings, which you give to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 6:21 "'This is the law of the Nazirite who vows, and of his offering to Yahweh for his separation, besides that which he is able to get. According to his vow which he vows, so he must do after the law of his separation.'"
(WEB NAS NIV)

Numbers 29:39 "'You shall offer these to Yahweh in your set feasts, besides your vows, and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, and for your meal offerings, and for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Numbers 30:2 When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.
(WEB RSV)

Numbers 30:3 "Also when a woman vows a vow to Yahweh, and binds herself by a bond, being in her father's house, in her youth,
(WEB RSV)

Numbers 30:4 and her father hears her vow, and her bond with which she has bound her soul, and her father holds his peace at her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond with which she has bound her soul shall stand.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he hears, none of her vows, or of her bonds with which she has bound her soul, shall stand: and Yahweh will forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Numbers 30:6 "If she is married to a husband, while her vows are on her, or the rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul,
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Numbers 30:7 and her husband hear it, and hold his peace at her in the day that he hears it; then her vows shall stand, and her bonds with which she has bound her soul shall stand.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:11 and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and didn't disallow her; then all her vows shall stand, and every bond with which she bound her soul shall stand.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:12 But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband has made them void; and Yahweh will forgive her.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 30:14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows, or all her bonds, which are on her: he has established them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 12:6 and there you shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the wave offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Deuteronomy 12:11 then it shall happen that to the place which Yahweh your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Deuteronomy 12:26 Only your holy things which you have, and your vows, you shall take, and go to the place which Yahweh shall choose:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

2 Kings 12:4 Jehoash said to the priests, "All the money of the holy things that is brought into the house of Yahweh, in current money, the money of the persons for whom each man is rated, and all the money that it comes into any man's heart to bring into the house of Yahweh,
(See NIV)

Job 22:27 You shall make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You shall pay your vows.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 22:25 Of you comes my praise in the great assembly. I will pay my vows before those who fear him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 50:14 Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 56:12 Your vows are on me, God. I will give thank offerings to you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 61:5 For you, God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 61:8 So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 65:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. A song. Praise waits for you, God, in Zion. To you shall vows be performed.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Psalms 66:13 I will come into your temple with burnt offerings. I will pay my vows to you,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 76:11 Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 116:14 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 116:18 I will pay my vows to Yahweh, yes, in the presence of all his people,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 7:14 "Sacrifices of peace offerings are with me. This day I have paid my vows.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 20:25 It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 31:2 "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 19:21 And the LORD shall make Himself known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day; yea, they shall worship with sacrifice and offering, and shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and shall perform it.
(See RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 11:15 What has my beloved to do in my house, seeing she has worked lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from you? when you do evil, then you rejoice.
(See RSV)

Jeremiah 44:25 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, saying, You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and with your hands have fulfilled it, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of the sky, and to pour out drink offerings to her: establish then your vows, and perform your vows.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jonah 1:16 Then the men feared Yahweh exceedingly; and they offered a sacrifice to Yahweh, and made vows.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nahum 1:15 Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Malachi 1:14 "But the deceiver is cursed, who has in his flock a male, and vows, and sacrifices to the Lord a blemished thing; for I am a great King," says Yahweh of Armies, "and my name is awesome among the nations."
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Vows

Vows of a Field

Vows of Absalom

Vows of Ananias and Sapphira, in the Dedication of the Proceeds of the Sale of Their Land

Vows of Certain Jews With Paul

Vows of Children Void Without the Consent of Parents

Vows of David

Vows of Elkanah

Vows of Hannah

Vows of Hannah, to Consecrate to the Lord the Child for Which She Prayed

Vows of Israelites