Albert Barnes Commentary Numbers 30
Albert Barnes Commentary
Numbers 30
Albert Barnes Commentary
Numbers 30
"And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Jehovah hath commanded." — Numbers 30:1 (ASV)
The regulations concerning vows appropriately follow those given for sacrifices, since a large proportion of vows would always relate to the presentation of such offerings. Rules had already been given (Leviticus 27:0) for the valuation of things vowed to God.
It is probable that this new legislation, dealing especially with vows made by persons under guardianship, was prompted by some practical difficulty that had recently arisen. This legislation is addressed by Moses to the heads of the tribes (Numbers 30:1), who, in their judicial capacity, would have to decide questions on these matters.
There is no provision in the chapter for canceling vows made by boys and young men. From this, it has been inferred that the vows of males were binding in all cases and circumstances.
"When a man voweth a vow unto Jehovah, or sweareth an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth." — Numbers 30:2 (ASV)
The “vow” was positive; the “bond” negative or restrictive. By a vow a man engaged to dedicate something to God, or to accomplish some work for Him: by a bond he prohibited himself from some privilege or enjoyment. A vow involved an obligation to do: a bond, an obligation to refrain from doing.
"Also when a woman voweth a vow unto Jehovah, and bindeth herself by a bond, being in her father`s house, in her youth," — Numbers 30:3 (ASV)
Being in her father’s house in her youth: It was not ordinarily until her betrothal or marriage, that the female passed (some suppose by purchase) from the power of her father to that of her husband.
"But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth, none of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and Jehovah will forgive her, because her father disallowed her." — Numbers 30:5 (ASV)
The Lord shall forgive her - that is, shall remit the obligation. (Compare 2 Kings 5:18.)
"And if she be [married] to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul," — Numbers 30:6 (ASV)
Rather, And if she shall at all be a husband’s, and her vows shall be upon her, or a rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, etc. The phrase “at all” suggests that the case of a girl betrothed but not yet actually married is especially considered here. After betrothal, a woman continued to reside in her father’s house until her marriage; but her property was from that time on vested in her husband, and she was regarded as personally his to such a degree that an act of faithlessness to him was, like adultery, punishable with death (Deuteronomy 22:23–24). Therefore, he had the right to control her vows even before he actually took her home as his wife.
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