Numbers 30:14
But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 25
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ
altogether
H2790
הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ
altogether
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
2 of 25
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ
altogether
H2790
הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ
altogether
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
3 of 25
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
אִישָׁהּ֮
But if her husband
H376
אִישָׁהּ֮
But if her husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 25
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)
בְּי֥וֹם
at her from day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
at her from day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 25
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
בְּי֥וֹם
at her from day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
at her from day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 25
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
הֵקִ֣ים
then he establisheth
H6965
הֵקִ֣ים
then he establisheth
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
9 of 25
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְדָרֶ֔יהָ
all her vows
H5088
נְדָרֶ֔יהָ
all her vows
Strong's:
H5088
Word #:
12 of 25
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
א֥וֹ
H176
א֥וֹ
Strong's:
H176
Word #:
13 of 25
desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלֶ֑יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֑יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
18 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הֵקִ֣ים
then he establisheth
H6965
הֵקִ֣ים
then he establisheth
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
19 of 25
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֹתָ֔ם
H853
אֹתָ֔ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
21 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ
altogether
H2790
הֶחֱרִ֥שׁ
altogether
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
22 of 25
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
Historical Context
The 'day to day' formulation clarified that once the hearing-day passed without annulment, subsequent days' silence couldn't be retroactively applied. This legal precision prevented both hasty authority exercise and indefinite uncertainty about vow status, creating clear timelines for all parties.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle of authority forfeited through silence challenge passive leadership hoping problems resolve without intervention?
- What does the irreversibility of silence-ratified vows teach about the permanence of consequences from leadership abdication?
- How can you cultivate discernment to know when situations require immediate intervention versus when wisdom counsels patient waiting?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them—The phrase altogether hold his peace from day to day (הַחֲרֵשׁ יַחֲרִישׁ... מִיּוֹם אֶל־יוֹם hacharesh yacharish... miyom el-yom, intensive silence day after day) emphasizes repeated, ongoing silence beyond the initial hearing-day. This ongoing silence irreversibly established vows—he confirmeth them because he held his peace (הֵקִים אֹתָם כִּי־הֶחֱרִישׁ heqim otam ki-heche'rish).
The repetitive emphasis on timing and silence establishes a crucial principle: exercising spiritual authority requires timeliness—delay forfeits authority to intervene. Eli's sons 'made themselves vile, and he restrained them not' (1 Samuel 3:13), incurring divine judgment. Spiritual leaders must act when discernment requires, not wait hoping problems resolve themselves. Silence in the face of error becomes complicity.