Numbers 30:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠אִם
H518
וְ֠אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 21
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
בְּי֨וֹם
her on the day
H3117
בְּי֨וֹם
her on the day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 21
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
שְׁמֹ֣עַ
that he heard
H8085
שְׁמֹ֣עַ
that he heard
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
3 of 21
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אִישָׁהּ֮
But if her husband
H376
אִישָׁהּ֮
But if her husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 21
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)
אוֹתָהּ֒
H853
אוֹתָהּ֒
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהֵפֵ֗ר
of none effect
H6565
וְהֵפֵ֗ר
of none effect
Strong's:
H6565
Word #:
7 of 21
to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נִדְרָהּ֙
it then he shall make her vow which she vowed
H5088
נִדְרָהּ֙
it then he shall make her vow which she vowed
Strong's:
H5088
Word #:
9 of 21
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עָלֶ֔יהָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יהָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ
with her lips
H8193
שְׂפָתֶ֔יהָ
with her lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
14 of 21
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָֽסְרָ֖ה
wherewith she bound
H631
אָֽסְרָ֖ה
wherewith she bound
Strong's:
H631
Word #:
16 of 21
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נַפְשָׁ֑הּ
her soul
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֑הּ
her soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
Historical Context
This law protected women from two dangers:
- manipulative husbands who might later use vows against them,
- their own rash oaths made in emotion.
The husband's immediate veto-authority balanced with God's forgiveness created a safety mechanism unique in ancient legal codes. It assumed male headship while constraining its abuse.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's willingness to forgive annulled vows demonstrate His prioritization of covenant relationship over legal technicality?
- In what ways does Christ's intercessory work 'annul' our impossible obligations while maintaining God's holiness and our accountability?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
If her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it (וְאִם־בְּיוֹם שְׁמֹעַ אִישָׁהּ יָנִיא אוֹתָהּ, ve'im-beyom shemo'a ishah yani otah)—The verb nû' (disallow, forbid) gives the husband authority to nullify vows, but only immediately upon hearing. He shall make her vow...of none effect (וְהֵפֵר אֶת־נִדְרָהּ, vehefer et-nidrah)—Hefer means to break, annul, frustrate. The husband's word can void what his wife spoke to God.
The LORD shall forgive her (וַיהוָה יִסְלַח־לָהּ, vaYHWH yislaḥ-lah)—God's forgiveness covers the broken vow when proper authority nullifies it. This reflects Hebrews 7:22, where Jesus becomes surety of a better covenant. Our Great Husband-Redeemer bears the weight of vows we cannot fulfill, interceding for us before the Father.