Números 30
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Números 30
NJB (MT versing) The Law of Vows The Law Concerning Vows On Vows Made by Women Rules About Vows Laws Concerning Vows 30:1-5 30:1-5 30:1-2 30:1-2 30:2 30:3-5 30:3-5 30:3 30:4-6 30:6-8 30:6-8 30:6-15 30:6-8 30:7-9 30:9-12 30:9 30:9 30:10-15 30:10-15 30:10 30:11-13 30:13-15 30:14 30:15-16 30:16 30:16 30:16 30:16 30:17 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This is about vows/oaths to YHWH. It may contextually relate to the voluntary actions of Num. 29:39. If vowed, one must perform the vow but there are some contingencies (notice the number of "ifs," BDB 49, cf. Num. 30:5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 15). Married women's vows must be confirmed by the husband (or if unmarried, the father). Widowed or divorced women's vows do not need to be confirmed (Num. 30:9). There are four intensified grammatical features (i.e., the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB from the same root). Num. 30:6 ‒ "if she should marry" Num. 30:12 ‒ "if her husband indeed annuls them" Num. 30:14 ‒ "if her husband indeed says nothing" Num. 30:15 ‒ "but if he indeed annuls them" There are four conditions relating to a woman's male guardian. a young woman still living at home, Num. 30:4-5 a betrothed woman still living at home, Num. 30:6-9 a widowed or divorced woman, Num. 30:9 a married woman, Num. 30:10-12 The plight of women in the ANE was surely a "second class" existence but Jesus changed everything. See SPECIAL TOPIC: WOMEN IN THE BIBLE.
Números 30:1-5
30:2 "If a man makes a vow to the Lord" Numbers 30 basically deals with laws connected with making vows/pledges/oaths to YHWH ("if. . ."). We can see how important making a vow was by reading Deut. 23:21-23. The book of Leviticus discusses vows at some length (cf. Lev. 7:16; 22:18-23; 23:38; 27:1ff). When men vowed, they were required to fulfill it, no exceptions! Notice the parallels. "vows a vow" ‒ VERB (BDB 623, KB 674, Qal IMPERFECT) plus the NOUN (BDB 623) "swears a swear" ‒ VERB (BDB 989, KB 1396, Niphal INFINITIVE) plus NOUN (BDB 64) "bind a binding obligation" ‒ VERB (BDB 63, KB 75, Qal INFINITIVE) plus NOUN (BDB 64) the three word plays are characterized: he shall not violate his word he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth In the OT oaths and blessings, once spoken, had a spiritual force to fulfillment (i.e., Genesis 27, Isaac's blessing). This is surely true of God's word (cf. Isa. 55:9-11). ▣ "vows" The difference between a vow and an oath/pledge is that a vow has a conditional element based on God's actions, while an oath/pledge is a human promise with no condition on God's part. 30:3 "if a woman makes a vow to the Lord" Basically this chapter is a discussion of how a woman's vows can and cannot be limited by the male authority figure in her life. This will move from her father when she is young, to her betrothed husband, and then to her husband. Also, stipulation is made for a widow and a divorced woman being responsible for their vows. Some have asserted that this is another sign of the male dominance in the OT. I think the probable reason was that women did not own property themselves and they could not commit property or their own time to the Lord without permission of the one to whom they were bound. 30:5 "if her father should forbid her on the day he hears of it" This same phrase is used quite often. It means that the minute that the male involved heard the vow, he had to renounce it at that point and not wait until a later time.
Números 30:6-8
30:6 "rash statement" "rash utterance" "thoughtless" "carelessly" "without due reflection" The MT has a NOUN CONSTRUCT (BDB 105, plus 973). BDB 105 occurs only here and v. 8. A related form occurs in Lev. 5:4; Ps. 166:33; Pro. 12:18. See NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 642, #6 and vol. 2, p. 838. Believers must be careful what they promise God, even when the motive is good, the reality of the promise may be unrealistic.
Números 30:13-15
30:15 This, like Leviticus 27, shows the vow and the problem with trying to play fast and loose with making promises to God.
Números 30:16
30:16 "the statutes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION.