Numbers 30:5
But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִם
H518
וְאִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 22
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
אָבִ֖יהָ
But if her father
H1
אָבִ֖יהָ
But if her father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
3 of 22
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אֹתָהּ֮
H853
אֹתָהּ֮
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּי֣וֹם
her in the day
H3117
בְּי֣וֹם
her in the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 22
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
that he heareth
H8085
שָׁמְעוֹ֒
that he heareth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
6 of 22
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְדָרֶ֗יהָ
not any of her vows
H5088
נְדָרֶ֗יהָ
not any of her vows
Strong's:
H5088
Word #:
8 of 22
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָֽסְרָ֥ה
wherewith she hath bound
H631
אָֽסְרָ֥ה
wherewith she hath bound
Strong's:
H631
Word #:
11 of 22
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
12 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ
her soul
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ
her soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
13 of 22
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 22
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָק֑וּם
shall stand
H6965
יָק֑וּם
shall stand
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
15 of 22
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
וַֽיהוָה֙
and the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָה֙
and the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 22
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
The same-day requirement prevented fathers from using vow-nullification as a tool of manipulation. Once a father heard his daughter's vow and remained silent, he bore responsibility for its consequences. This balanced protection of the vulnerable with respect for the binding nature of oaths made to God—a revolutionary legal protection for women in the ancient world.
Questions for Reflection
- What does God's forgiveness for an annulled vow reveal about His understanding of human authority structures within covenant relationship?
- How should the same-day requirement inform our own decision-making about commitments—both in accepting them and in advising others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If her father disallow her (וְהֵנִיא אָבִיהָ אֹתָהּ, veheni aviha otah)—The verb nû' means to hinder, restrain, or forbid. Critically, this nullification must occur in the day that he heareth (בְּיוֹם שָׁמְעוֹ, beyom shom'o)—immediate response required. Delayed objection validates the vow, preventing capricious later interference.
The LORD shall forgive her (וַיהוָה יִסְלַח־לָהּ, vaYHWH yislaḥ-lah)—Salaḥ (to forgive, pardon) appears exclusively with God as subject in the Old Testament. Though she made a binding oath to Yahweh, His grace covers the unfulfilled vow when proper authority nullifies it. This foreshadows how Christ's authority releases us from obligations we cannot fulfill (Matthew 16:19).