Numbers 30:8

Authorized King James Version

But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְ֠אִם
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
#2
בְּי֨וֹם
her on the day
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
#3
שְׁמֹ֣עַ
that he heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#4
אִישָׁהּ֮
But if her husband
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)
#5
יָנִ֣יא
disallowed
to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize
#6
אוֹתָהּ֒
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
וְהֵפֵ֗ר
of none effect
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
נִדְרָהּ֙
it then he shall make her vow which she vowed
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
#10
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#11
עָלֶ֔יהָ
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
וְאֵת֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
מִבְטָ֣א
and that which she uttered
a rash utterance (hasty vow)
#14
שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ
with her lips
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#15
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#16
אָֽסְרָ֖ה
wherewith she bound
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
נַפְשָׁ֑הּ
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
#19
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
and the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#20
יִֽסְלַֽח
shall forgive
to forgive
#21
לָֽהּ׃
H0

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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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