Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5741 vows

5741 vows

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5650 Human relationships » 5741 vows

Promises made to God, usually in the context of worship or religious practice. There was no requirement on any Israelite to make vows, but once made, they were binding and had to be kept.

Vows were binding

Deuteronomy 23:21-23 See also Numbers 30:2,9; Proverbs 20:25; Ecclesiastes 5:4-6; Malachi 1:14

Exceptions to keeping vows

Numbers 30:3-8 In certain cases vows made by daughters or wives could be nullified by fathers or husbands respectively. See also Numbers 30:10-15

Vows made to God in the context of worship

To offer sacrifices

Leviticus 22:17-19 See also Leviticus 7:16; Leviticus 22:21; Leviticus 27:9; Numbers 15:2-4,8-10; Deuteronomy 12:6,11; Psalm 50:14; Psalm 66:13; Proverbs 7:14; Jonah 2:9

To dedicate people, animals or property to God

Leviticus 27:1-25

To give money

2 Kings 12:4-5 See also Deuteronomy 23:18

Motives for making vows

To elicit God's help

1 Samuel 1:11 See also Genesis 28:20-22; Numbers 21:2; Judges 11:30-40; 2 Samuel 15:7-8; Psalm 66:13-14

To express thanksgiving

Psalm 116:12-14 See also Psalm 50:14; Psalm 56:12; Psalm 116:17-18; Jonah 1:16; Jonah 2:9

To praise God

Psalm 22:25 See also Psalm 61:8; Psalm 65:1

Vows of Nazirites

Numbers 6:1-21; Judges 13:2-5 Samson was set apart as a Nazirite from birth; 1 Samuel 1:11 Samuel may have been a Nazirite.

Examples of vows made to God

By David

Psalm 132:2-5

By Paul

Acts 18:18 See also Acts 21:24-26

Abuse of vows

Matthew 15:5-6 pp Mark 7:11-13

Vows made to idols

Jeremiah 44:25-28