Numbers 30:12
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 20
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הֲפֵרָ֔ם
hath made them void
H6565
הֲפֵרָ֔ם
hath made them void
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
2 of 20
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
הֲפֵרָ֔ם
hath made them void
H6565
הֲפֵרָ֔ם
hath made them void
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
3 of 20
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
אֹתָ֥ם׀
H853
אֹתָ֥ם׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אִישָׁ֣הּ
But if her husband
H376
אִישָׁ֣הּ
But if her husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּי֣וֹם
on the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
on the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 20
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שָׁמְעוֹ֒
he heard
H8085
שָׁמְעוֹ֒
he heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
7 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מוֹצָ֨א
them then whatsoever proceeded
H4161
מוֹצָ֨א
them then whatsoever proceeded
Strong's:
H4161
Word #:
9 of 20
a going forth, i.e., (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn, the rising of the sun (the east), ex
שְׂפָתֶ֧יהָ
out of her lips
H8193
שְׂפָתֶ֧יהָ
out of her lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
10 of 20
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
לִנְדָרֶ֛יהָ
concerning her vows
H5088
לִנְדָרֶ֛יהָ
concerning her vows
Strong's:
H5088
Word #:
11 of 20
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
וּלְאִסַּ֥ר
or concerning the bond
H632
וּלְאִסַּ֥ר
or concerning the bond
Strong's:
H632
Word #:
12 of 20
an obligation or vow (of abstinence)
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ
of her soul
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ
of her soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָק֑וּם
shall not stand
H6965
יָק֑וּם
shall not stand
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
15 of 20
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אִישָׁ֣הּ
But if her husband
H376
אִישָׁ֣הּ
But if her husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 20
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הֲפֵרָ֔ם
hath made them void
H6565
הֲפֵרָ֔ם
hath made them void
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
17 of 20
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
Historical Context
The same-day limitation prevented husbands from using annulment authority capriciously—once the day passed, the vow stood permanently. This balanced protection against rash vows with protection against authoritarian control. Ancient Near Eastern parallels to this legal structure are rare, showing Israel's unique concern for both authority and individual protection.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's forgiveness contingent on proper headship annulment illustrate divine authority operating through human structures?
- What does the same-day time limit teach about preventing abuse of spiritual authority while maintaining proper oversight?
- How can church leadership exercise discipline and restoration in ways that honor both God's sovereignty and He-established human authority structures?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her—The emphatic phrase utterly made them void (הָפֵר יָפֵר hafer yafer, infinitive absolute + verb = 'completely annulled') describes the husband's same-day authority to cancel vows. The concluding promise—the LORD shall forgive her (וַיהוָה יִסְלַח־לָהּ vaYHWH yislach-lah)—reveals that God honors properly executed authority structures by not holding individuals responsible for authorizedly annulled vows.
This remarkable verse demonstrates that divine accountability sometimes flows through human authority—when proper headship annuls a vow, God releases the person from obligation. This prefigures Christ's authority to forgive sins and loose binding obligations (Matthew 16:19; 18:18). The principle teaches that God's authority often operates through ordained human structures, not bypassing institutional channels He established.