Numbers 30:4

Authorized King James Version

And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְשָׁמַ֨ע
hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
אָבִ֑יהָ
H1
And her father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
נְדָרֶ֔יהָ
at her then all her vows
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
#5
אִסָּ֛ר
and every bond
an obligation or vow (of abstinence)
#6
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#7
אָֽסְרָ֥ה
wherewith she hath bound
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#8
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ
her soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#10
וְהֶֽחֱרִ֥ישׁ
shall hold his peace
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
#11
לָ֖הּ
H0
#12
אָבִ֑יהָ
H1
And her father
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#13
יָקֽוּם׃
shall stand
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#14
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
נְדָרֶ֔יהָ
at her then all her vows
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
#16
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
אִסָּ֛ר
and every bond
an obligation or vow (of abstinence)
#18
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
אָֽסְרָ֥ה
wherewith she hath bound
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#20
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#21
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ
her soul
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
#22
יָקֽוּם׃
shall stand
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of peace reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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