And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;

NUMBERS 30:10KJV
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Numbers 30:10 (KJV)

What does Numbers 30:10 mean?

Numbers 30:10 says that if a married woman makes a vow or binds herself with an oath while living in her husband's house, this act is recognized and addressed in the law. The verse sets up instructions about how such vows are handled within the context of marriage and household authority.

In this part of Numbers, Moses is relaying God's instructions to the Israelites about vows and oaths, especially focusing on women and their family relationships. The verse highlights the situation of a wife making a solemn promise or binding commitment, and it prepares the reader for the rules that follow about whether her husband can confirm or nullify her vow. This shows the careful attention given to family order and responsibility in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 30:10

  • "Vowed" (נָדַר, nadar): This word means to make a solemn promise or commitment, often to God. It emphasizes the seriousness of what is being promised.
  • "Bound" (אָסַר, asar): This word means to bind or tie up, used here to describe someone obligating themselves with a promise.
  • "Soul" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh): Literally "soul" or "life," this word points to the personal and deep nature of the commitment, showing it is not just a casual statement.
  • "Bond" (אֵסָר, esar): This term refers to the actual obligation or restriction created by the vow, highlighting the binding nature of the oath.
  • "Oath" (שְׁבוּעָה, shevuah): This is a formal sworn statement, showing the legal and spiritual weight of what is being promised.

Why Numbers 30:10 matters

  • Numbers 30:10 clarifies that vows made by a married woman are not ignored but are specifically addressed, showing the importance of individual commitments even within family structures.
  • The verse connects to the larger passage about vows, helping readers understand the balance between personal responsibility and household authority in ancient Israel.
  • By including this scenario, the law recognizes that women could make significant spiritual or personal commitments, and it sets up the process for how these should be handled, preventing misunderstandings about their validity.

Where else these words appear

“bond” Hebrew H632 · used in 10 verses

  • Numbers 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear 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 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
  • Numbers 30:12 But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

“vowed” Hebrew H5087 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,
  • Deuteronomy 12:17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand:
  • Psalms 76:11 Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God: let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.

“oath” Hebrew H7621 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Joshua 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.
  • Nehemiah 10:29 They clave to their brethren, their nobles, and entered into a curse, and into an oath, to walk in God's law, which was given by Moses the servant of God, and to observe and do all the commandments of the LORD our Lord, and his judgments and his statutes;

“bound” Hebrew H631 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 39:20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
  • Judges 16:5 And the lords of the Philistines came up unto her, and said unto her, Entice him, and see wherein his great strength lieth, and by what means we may prevail against him, that we may bind him to afflict him: and we will give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silver.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:11 Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.