Números 30
David Guzik · Citado em PreceptAustin
Números 30
Guzik - Some people today believe that vows or oaths are not permitted for a Christian today. They think this because of what Jesus said in Matthew 5:34–37: But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (See also James 5:12) But, in context of the rest of Scripture, we see that Jesus was not forbidding oaths, as much as telling us that we should be so filled with integrity in our words that an oath is unnecessary.. Jesus answered under oath in a court (Matthew 26:63–64), and God Himself swears oaths (Luke 1:73, Acts 2:30, Hebrews 3:18, 6:13, 17). Ronald Allen has an interesting point - I suggest that these chapters are placed here as guarantors of hope: the very fact that plans are being made for the sacrifices and vows that will be performed in the land are sure indicators that God is going to complete his work for his people. All one needs to do is to prepare for the coming battle. For victory under the Lord is the hope for the people of the second generation. (EBC) Then Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the sons of Israel, saying, "This is the word which the LORD has commanded - God spoke to Moses who spoke to the leaders to disseminate the truths about the sacredness of vows. Numbers 30:2 "If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. NET Numbers 30:2 If a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath of binding obligation on himself, he must not break his word, but must do whatever he has promised. NLT Numbers 30:2 A man who makes a vow to the LORD or makes a pledge under oath must never break it. He must do exactly what he said he would do. ESV Numbers 30:2 If a man vows a vow to the LORD, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth. NIV Numbers 30:2 When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said. If a man: The preceding chapters had treated of sacrifices required by law; and in the laws here delivered in respect to vows must have been very useful, as they both prevented and annulled rash vows, and provided a proper sanction for the support and performance of those which were rationally made, and which were made to the Lord. vow a vow: Nu 21:2 Ge 28:20-22 Lev 27:2-34 De 23:21,22 Jud 11:11,30,31,35,36 Jud 11:39 Ps 15:3 56:12 76:11 119:106 Pr 20:25 swear: Ex 20:7 Lev 5:4 Mt 5:33,34 14:7-9 Ac 23:12 2Co 1:23 9:9-11 to bind: Nu 30:3,4,10 Mt 23:16,18 *Gr: Ac 23:12,14,21 break: Heb. profane, Ps 55:20 *marg: he shall do: Job 22:27 Ps 22:25 50:14 66:13,14 116:14,18 Ec 5:4,5 Na 1:15 Numbers 30 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Solomon's advice on vows - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. Comment - The point is that God takes vows so seriously, it is better to now even make a vow. Vows are discussed in Lev 27 and Nu 6 but the vows in this chapter are different, for here the stipulations do not deal with the kind of vow one could make but place emphasis of the importance of keeping a vow one makes. A vow may be one in which a person promises to perform an act (Gen. 28:20–21; 31:13; Num. 21:2–3) or to refrain from something (Ps. 132:1–4). Once a vow was made it was binding for men but there were "outs" for women! HCSB Study Bible - A vow was a conditional promise, made in the context of petitionary prayer Richards on vow - In the OT and the NT, a “vow” is always a pledge or a promise made to God, never to other persons. A vow was always an expression of unusual devotion or commitment and was usually voluntary. (NIEBW) Vow - A vow is a solemn pledge to do something or behave in a certain manner. A vow is often thought of as a human act alone, but in the Bible a vow is made before God alone. While a person could swear to a person or to God, they could vow only to God. In the Old Testament, the Lord saw and heard all vows; not honoring a vow was therefore a grave sin. Vows played an important part in Israel’s worship, especially with regard to individual commitment to the Lord. In Isaiah 19:21, the prophet envisions a time when Egypt will show allegiance to the Lord not only by offering sacrifices and offerings, but also by making and keeping “vows” to Him as their God (Isa. 19:21). Vows were made in times of distress, but also in times of blessing and rejoicing (Lev. 23:38; 1 Sam. 1:21). When God performed an action described in a vow, not only sacrifices were promised to God, but also public praise and thanks could be offered (Pss. 40:6; 50:12–15; 69:30–31). Of the thirty-three verses in the Pentateuch where neder occurs, nineteen are in the book of Numbers. In the Nazarite vow, while there were certain prohibitions, the stress was upon the individual’s consecration to the Lord during the time of the vow (Num. 6:2–8). Vows were part and parcel of Israel’s worship (Num. 15:3). Numbers 30 is solely about “vows” and neder is mentioned in twelve of the sixteen verses. As stated earlier, the person who makes a vow must not break his or her word (Num. 30:2). Failing to honor one’s vows was a sin (Deut. 23:22). It was considered better not to make a vow than to make it and not keep it (Eccl. 5:4–6); simply saying, “I made a mistake by making the vow” was no excuse. The seriousness of taking a vow is as significant today as it was in the time of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, Paul made a vow and considered it binding upon himself to keep it. He may have carried out the vow as thanks to God for being delivered from mortal dangers. He then had his head shaved at Cenchrea marking the end of the vow (Acts 18:18). Paul later joined in the rites necessary for four Jews who had made vows. He accompanied these Jewish Christians to demonstrate that he had not rejected the essence of the Law of Moses. (Holman Treasury of Key Bible Words) It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” And after the vows to make inquiry. -- Proverbs 20:25 Guzik - Many vows are just plain foolish. “I’ll never do that again” is a foolish vow, and it is foolish and unwise to demand such a vow from someone else. If a man makes a vow to the LORD, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth (whatever he has promised) - Vows were to be kept and not broken. In other words the vow of a man is declared to be absolutely binding and there is no release from the vow. NET NOTE on makes a vow - The expression is “swear an oath” (הִשָּׁבַע שְׁבֻעָה, hishava’ shévu’ah). The vow (נֵדֶר, neder) was a promise to donate something of oneself or one’s substance to the LORD. The solemn oath seals the vow before the LORD, perhaps with sacrifice. The vocabulary recalls Abraham’s treaty with Abimelech and the naming of Beer Sheba with the word (see Gen 21). NET NOTE on bind...binding obligation -The Hebrew text has לֶאְסֹר אִסָּר (le’sor ’issar), meaning “to take a binding obligation.” This is usually interpreted to mean a negative vow, i.e., the person attempts to abstain from something that is otherwise permissible. It might involve fasting, or abstaining from marital sex, but it might also involve some goal to be achieved, and the abstaining from distractions until the vow is fulfilled (see Ps 132). The נֶדֶר (neder) may have been more for religious matters, and the אִסָּר more for social concerns, but this cannot be documented with certainty. Jensen - The vow could be a positive one, involving presentation of one’s property to the Lord (the word neder is translated “vow”); or a negative one, involving some type of abstinence (the word issar is translated “bond”) (30:2). Note that the Nazirite’s vow of chapter 6 was called a neder, to emphasize the positive aspect of his vow, even though a negative aspect was involved. Jesus on vows... Matthew 5:33-37+ “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FALSE VOWS, BUT SHALL FULFILL YOUR VOWS TO THE LORD.’ 34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is THE CITY OF THE GREAT KING. 36 “Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 “But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. Comment - Jesus' point is that our speech should alway have integrity, such that adding vows is not even necessary! Our words should speak for themselves! Numbers 30:2 As Good As Your Word by Tony Beckett and Woodrow Kroll Numbers 29-31, Mark 9:1-29 Key Verse: Numbers 30:2 Although today a Christian is not under responsibility to fulfill the ceremonial law, the New Testament emphasis on the moral law is strong. We may not make vows as is referenced in Numbers 30:2, but we are to be truthful people. Moses commanded the Israelites that a man "must not break his word but must do everything he said." In the course of a year, a person makes many more "vows" than is probably realized. For example, each credit card slip we sign is a vow. Don't sign unless you intend to pay. A tax form will ask if the answers given were truthful. Don't sign unless they were. A code of conduct may be included in the regulations for a student or an employer. Don't sign unless you plan to live by it. Then there are the other slips-not of paper, but of tongue. "I'll get back to you about that." "The check is in the mail." "We will get together for a meal while you are in town." Jesus said, "Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one" (Mt 5:37-see note Matthew 5:37). How good is your word? And are you as good as your word? Think before you speak today. Ask yourself, "Will I do what I am about to say?" Keep your word. Numbers 30:3 "Also if a woman makes a vow to the LORD, and binds herself by an obligation in her father's house in her youth, NET Numbers 30:3 "If a young woman who is still living in her father's house makes a vow to the LORD or places herself under an obligation, NLT Numbers 30:3 "If a young woman makes a vow to the LORD or a pledge under oath while she is still living at her father's home, ESV Numbers 30:3 "If a woman vows a vow to the LORD and binds herself by a pledge, while within her father's house in her youth, NIV Numbers 30:3 "When a young woman still living in her father's house makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge Numbers 30 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Jensen points out the significance of vows - The anticipation here was of a family situation in a land of plenty where a woman, with material abundance at her disposal, might in deep fervor over the laws of Sinai rashly and unfairly upset the household economy by vowing an overabundance of things in her worship....Vows made by women of a household were subject to the judgment of the head of the household. This is understandable, since the head of the household was responsible for its physical sustenance, which rash and hasty vows of property, uncontrolled, could very quickly upset. Pfeiffer - Every culture devises ways of making human intention binding. In civil matters the Bible world used both the signed document and sworn testimony (oaths). In religious matters people made vows. The unspoken intention was made binding when embodied in speech. Laws regulating vows are taken up in Deut 23; Lev 27; and Num 6; but here special emphasis is laid on the validation of a woman’s vow. (Wycliffe Bible Commentary) NIVSB - In Near Eastern society, women were subject to the authority of their fathers (vv. 3–5) or husbands (vv. 6–8), who could disallow the carrying out of a vow. Also if a woman makes a vow to the LORD, and binds herself by an obligation in her father's house in her youth Makes a vow (05088)(neder from nadar = to vow) conveys the root idea of verbally consecrating (or dedicating to the service) of God. Neder is a noun describes the vow that was sworn or taken. "The word neder is related to the verb נָדַר (nādar, “to make a vow”). A neder in the OT is always a vow made to God, never between two human beings. The neder is either the result of the vow or the thing offered to fulfill a vow. It was a type of thank offering in return for God’s favor (Num 21:1–3), and it could either accompany or be a burnt offering (Lev 22:18; Psa 66:13) or a peace offering (Lev 7:16). Numbers 30:2 mentions not only a neder but also an oath (שְׁבוּעָה, šĕbûʿâ) and the obligation (אִסָּר, ʾissār) and is therefore instructive when considering how these terms differ. The vow (neder) was vowed (nādar) and sealed (שָׁבַע, šābaʿ) with an oath (šĕbûʿâ) of binding obligation (ʾissār)." (Lexham Theological Wordbook) Neder conveys the root idea of verbally consecrating (or dedicating to the service) of God. Making a conditional vow in Ge 28:20-21. Make a vow to abstain (Ps 132:2 with specifics of the vow in Ps 132:3-5). It denotes a voluntary obligation in a context of a promise made to Yahweh, generally in exchange for divine favor, as the terms of nādhar usually center upon divine aid.Baker says it is "an oral, voluntary promise to give or do something as an expression of consecration or devotion to the service of God. 1Sa 1:11 Hannah vowed a life long vow for her son Samuel. God required a lifelong vow of Samson (Jdg 13:5+). Gilbrant - The first environment for making a vow to Yahweh is a transaction in which the human promises something, usually a sacrifice or abstinence from an act, in exchange for a deed to be performed by Yahweh. A prime example is found in the account of Jephthah (Judg. 11:30). Jephthah exchanged the death of what first appeared from his household upon his return for a victory over the Ammonites. Numbers 30:2 declares that someone who vows must complete or pay the vow. The exception to this was that if a woman made a vow, it was subject to approval to the head of the estate she belongs to (father for unmarried women, husband for married ones). Hannah promised to give her son to tabernacle service after his weaning (1 Sam. 1:11). She offered the boy (Samuel) because of her great desire to have a son. Another example of this type of vowing would be that of devoting an object to the ban, cherem (HED #2869). This was required by God in the case of certain cities in the Promised Land, in which all living things were to be killed, and all material objects were to be either dedicated to the tabernacle or destroyed. The Israelites abstained from the booty in order to claim the land. Common vows of this type made by people concern bountiful harvests (Ps. 65:2), deliverance from danger (Jon. 1:16) and recovery from illness (Ps. 22:25). Another type of vow is one in which the vower declares a commitment to some task for Yahweh. This type of vow generally involved abstinence of some sort. An example of this is found in David's declaration that he would not go home or sleep until the Ark was brought to the new capital of Israel, Jerusalem (Ps. 132:1-5). No deal was made in the course of entering the vow on the part of David, nor was any requirement of act asked of Yahweh. The gain for David in this environment was whatever blessing Yahweh decided upon—a wise move on David's part. The Nazirite in Num. 6 also made this type of vow. A Nazirite vow was often for a specified time period. An example of a lifelong Nazirite in the Hebrew Bible was Samson. Offerings were common upon the completion of most vows in Israelite society, "Your vows are on me, O God; I will pay thank offerings to you" (Ps. 56:12). The object offered, as witnessed above, was varied, including humans (Jdg. 11, albeit not originally intended), animals (Lev. 27:9ff), houses (Lev. 27:14f), land (Lev. 27:16-22), booty (Num. 21:1ff) or worship (Gen. 28:20ff). (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Nadar - 27v - votive(3), votive offering(1), votive offerings(5), vow(26), vows(24). Ge 28:20; Ge 31:13; Lev. 27:8; Nu 6:2; Nu 6:21; Num. 21:2; Nu 30:2; Nu 30:3; Nu 30:10; Dt. 12:17; Dt. 23:21; Deut. 23:22; Deut. 23:23; Jdg. 11:30; Jdg. 11:39; 1 Sam. 1:11; 2 Sam. 15:7; 2 Sam. 15:8; Ps. 76:11; Ps. 132:2; Eccl. 5:4; Eccl. 5:5; Isa. 19:21; Jer. 44:25; Jon. 1:16; Jon. 2:9; Mal. 1:14 Numbers 30:4 and her father hears her vow and her obligation by which she has bound herself, and her father says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand and every obligation by which she has bound herself shall stand. NET Numbers 30:4 and her father hears of her vow or the obligation to which she has pledged herself, and her father remains silent about her, then all her vows will stand, and every obligation to which she has pledged herself will stand. NLT Numbers 30:4 and her father hears of the vow or pledge and does not object to it, then all her vows and pledges will stand. ESV Numbers 30:4 and her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself and says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand. NIV Numbers 30:4 and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand. Numbers 30 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FATHER'S SILENCE BINDS DAUGHTER'S VOW and her father hears her vow and her obligation by which she has bound herself, and her father says nothing to her - In other words he makes no objection. He has clearly heard it and is silent. then all her vows shall stand and every obligation by which she has bound herself shall stand - NET NOTE - The verb קוּם (qum) is best translated “stand” here, but the idea with it is that what she vows is established as a genuine oath with the father’s approval (or acquiescence). Numbers 30:5 "But if her father should forbid her on the day he hears of it, none of her vows or her obligations by which she has bound herself shall stand; and the LORD will forgive her because her father had forbidden her. NET Numbers 30:5 But if her father overrules her when he hears about it, then none of her vows or her obligations which she has pledged for herself will stand. And the LORD will release her from it, because her father overruled her. NLT Numbers 30:5 But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The LORD will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them. ESV Numbers 30:5 But if her father opposes her on the day that he hears of it, no vow of hers, no pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand. And the LORD will forgive her, because her father opposed her. NIV Numbers 30:5 But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; the LORD will release her because her father has forbidden her. Ho 6:6 Mt 15:4-6 Mk 7:10-13 Eph 6:1 Numbers 30 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FATHER VETO CANCELS DAUGHTER'S VOW But if her father should forbid her on the day he hears of it, none of her vows or her obligations by which she has bound herself shall stand; and the LORD will forgive her because her father had forbidden her - Note the father needs to act fast and nullify it the same day he hears it! NLT - "But if her father refuses to let her fulfill the vow or pledge on the day he hears of it, then all her vows and pledges will become invalid. The LORD will forgive her because her father would not let her fulfill them." NET NOTE on LORD will forgive - The verb has often been translated “forgive” (cf. KJV, ASV, ESV, NASB, NRSV, NLT), but that would suggest a sin that needed forgiving. The idea of “release from obligation” is better; the idea is like that of having a debt “forgiven” or “retired.” In other words, she is free from the vow she had made. The LORD will not hold the woman responsible to do what she vowed. (NIV has "the LORD will release her") Pfeiffer - One of the verbs used to express invalidation of a woman’s vow is henı̂˒, “to hinder, restrain, or frustrate.” The root, though rare, is used mostly in Numbers and appears in 14:34 (see note), where we are told that, for forty years, God frustrated, or restrained, Israel from entering into the promised land. The same root is also used to describe what the spies did in “discouraging the hearts of the people” (32:7, 9). Here in Numbers 30 provision is made for a daughter to be forgiven if she is hindered by her father in fulfilling her vow; and for a husband to “frustrate” the intention of his wife for the good of his household. (Wycliffe Bible Commentary) F B
Números 30
Guzik - This is an outworking of the principle of headship. When God declares someone to be in a position of rightful authority and others are expected to submit to that authority, the head also is accountable before God for the result.. God never grants authority without accountability. When this is understood, it makes submission much easier. NIVSB - In the centuries leading up to the NT, the legal decisions on vows became even more complex. The words of Jesus that one is to avoid all such oaths (Mt 5:33–37) are liberating.