Numbers 30:16
These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.
Original Language Analysis
הַֽחֻקִּ֗ים
These are the statutes
H2706
הַֽחֻקִּ֗ים
These are the statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
2 of 16
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֥ין
H996
בֵּ֥ין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
8 of 16
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אִ֖ישׁ
between a man
H376
אִ֖ישׁ
between a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
9 of 16
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)
בֵּֽין
H996
בֵּֽין
Strong's:
H996
Word #:
11 of 16
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
אָבִֽיהָ׃
between the father
H1
אָבִֽיהָ׃
between the father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
12 of 16
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
לְבִתּ֔וֹ
and his daughter
H1323
לְבִתּ֔וֹ
and his daughter
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
13 of 16
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
בִּנְעֻרֶ֖יהָ
being yet in her youth
H5271
בִּנְעֻרֶ֖יהָ
being yet in her youth
Strong's:
H5271
Word #:
14 of 16
(only in plural collective or emphatic form) youth, the state (juvenility) or the persons (young people)
Historical Context
Numbers 30 provided unprecedented protections for women in ancient Near East—nowhere else did legal codes allow annulment of vows made by subordinate family members. Most cultures held individuals absolutely responsible for oaths regardless of age, gender, or circumstances. Israel's law balanced personal agency with community protection.
Questions for Reflection
- How do Numbers 30's vow regulations balance individual spiritual agency with community accountability through authority structures?
- What principles from this culturally-situated patriarchal structure apply to contemporary church accountability and discipleship relationships?
- How can you cultivate spiritual community that honors both personal responsibility before God and mutual accountability within the body of Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house—This closing formula (אֵלֶּה הַחֻקִּים eleh hachukkim, 'these are the statutes') summarizes Numbers 30's comprehensive vow regulations governing relationships between (בֵּין bein, repeated three times) husband-wife and father-daughter. The phrase being yet in her youth (בִּנְעֻרֶיהָ בֵּית אָבִיהָ vine'ureiha veit aviha, 'in her youth in her father's house') clarifies that these provisions apply to dependent daughters, not adult women.
The chapter's comprehensive treatment establishes that vows aren't private matters between individuals and God but involve community accountability through family authority structures. While specific patriarchal forms are culturally situated, the underlying principles remain:
James warns: 'Let not many of you be teachers, knowing that we shall receive stricter judgment' (James 3:1)—authority brings accountability.