Vow, Vows — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Serious promises or pledges made to God. The making of vows to God is a religious practice frequently mentioned in Scripture. Most references to vows are found in the OT, especially in the Psalms, but there are a few in the NT.

Unlike tithing, sacrifices and offerings, Sabbath keeping, and circumcision, vow making was not something commanded by the Mosaic law. For example, Psalm 50:14 says, “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High” (rsv). The command is to “pay,” that is, to keep or fulfill a pledge that has already been made. No order is given to make such promises in the first place. The practice is accepted and regulated but not demanded.

Show passage in OET: PSA 50:14

OET-RV PSA 50:14

14 Present a thank offering to God
⇔ ≈ and honour your promises to the highest one.

OET-LV PSA 50:14

14 Sacrifice to_god a _thank-offering and_pay to_the _Most _High vows _of_your.

Jump to OET PSA 50:14 section.

The purpose of a vow is to win a desired favor from the Lord, to express gratitude to him for some deliverance or benefit, or simply to prove absolute devotion to him by way of certain abstinences. Dedication of oneself and separation to the Lord were the primary features of the Nazirite vow. Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist are the most familiar examples of those who took this type of vow. Numbers 6:1-8 prescribes the conditions of this commitment, and verses 13-21 tell how release from the vow may be obtained. Women, as well as men, might take this vow of separation (v 2), which could be of limited duration. The Recabite clan pledged themselves to an ascetic and nomadic life. They constitute a compelling illustration of loyalty to the God of Israel (Jer 35).

Show passage in OET: NUM 6:1–8

OET-RV NUM 6:1

6 Then Yahweh told Mosheh (Moses),

OET-RV NUM 6:2

2 “Tell the Israelis that when any man or woman wants to make a solemn vow to separate themself to Yahweh as a Nazirite,

OET-RV NUM 6:3

3 they must keep away from wine and strong drink, and even vinegar made from wine or strong drink, plus they mustn’t drink grape juice or eat either grapes or raisins.

OET-RV NUM 6:4

4 For the entire time of their separation, they mustn’t eat anything coming from a grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.

OET-RV NUM 6:5

5 “For the entire time of their vow to Yahweh as a Nazirite, they mustn’t cut their hair—they must sacred and grow their hair long.

OET-RV NUM 6:6

6 “For the entire time of their separation to Yahweh, they mustn’t approach any dead body,

OET-RV NUM 6:7

7 even if it’s their father or mother, or brother or sister. They mustn’t defile themselves with death, because their consecration to their god is on their head.

OET-RV NUM 6:8

8 They must remain holy to Yahweh for the whole time.

OET-LV NUM 6:1

6 And_ YHWH _he/it _spoke to Mosheh to_saying.

OET-LV NUM 6:2

2 Speak to the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_you _will _say to_them a _man or a _woman if/because he _will _make _hard to_vow a _vow _of a _Nāzīr to_be _a _Nāzīr to/for_YHWH.

OET-LV NUM 6:3

3 From_wine and_strong _drink he _will _keep _separate vinegar _of wine and_vinegar _of strong _drink not he _will _drink and_all juice _of grapes not he _will _drink and_grapes fresh and_dry not he _will _eat.

OET-LV NUM 6:4

4 All _of the _days _of his _consecration _of_his from_all that it _is _made from_the _vine _of the _wine from_seeds and_unto skin not he _will _eat.

OET-LV NUM 6:5

5 All _of the _days _of the _vow _of his _consecration _of_his a _razor not it _will _pass over his/its_head until the_days which he _will _be _a _Nāzīr to/for_YHWH are _completed holy he _will _be the _lock[s]_of the _hair _of his/its_head he _will _make _grow.

OET-LV NUM 6:6

6 All _of the _days _of his _being _a _Nāzīr to/for_YHWH to a _corpse a _dead_person not he _will _go.

OET-LV NUM 6:7

7 For_father _of_his and_for_mother _of_his for_brother _of_his and_for_sister _of_his not he _will _make _himself _unclean to/for_them when_die _of_they if/because the _consecration _of his/its_god is_on his/its_head.

OET-LV NUM 6:8

8 All _of the _days _of his _consecration _of_his is_holy he to/for_YHWH.

Show passage in OET: NUM 6:13–21

OET-RV NUM 6:13

13 “Now these are the instructions for the Nazirites: Once their days of separation are fulfilled, someone must take them to the entrance of the sacred tent

OET-RV NUM 6:14

14 and they will present their offerings to Yahweh—an unblemished, one-year old, male lamb as a burnt offering, and an unblemished, one-year old, female lamb as a sin offering, plus an unblemished ram as a peace/fellowship offering,

OET-RV NUM 6:15

15 along with a basket of flat breads, flour mixed with oil, and wafers spread with olive oil, and their grain and drink offerings.

OET-RV NUM 6:16

16 The priest must present all that to Yahweh, and handle their sin offering and burnt offering.

OET-RV NUM 6:17

17 The ram and the basket of flat breads will be offered as a peace offering to Yahweh, and the priest will offer their grain and wine offerings.

OET-RV NUM 6:18

18 Then the Nazirite must shave their head of separation at the opening to the sacred tent, and taking the hair, must put it on the fire under their peace offering sacrifice.

OET-RV NUM 6:19

19 “The priest will then take the boiled shoulder from the ram, and one flat bread roll and one wafer from the basket, and place them on the palms of that Nazirite with their consecrated head that’s been shaved.

OET-RV NUM 6:20

20 Then the priest will raise them as a raised offering to Yahweh. Those raised breads and the shoulder are now sacred and belong to the priest. Then the Nazirite can drink some wine.

OET-RV NUM 6:21

21 Those are the instructions for the Nazirite who makes a solemn oath to Yahweh for their separation, plus what they’re able to give. They must do exactly what they promised as per these instructions.”

OET-LV NUM 6:13

13 And_this is_the _law _of the _Nāzīr in/on_day the _days _of his _consecration _of_his are _completed someone _will _bring DOM_him/it to the _entrance _of the _tent _of meeting.

OET-LV NUM 6:14

14 And_he _will _bring _near DOM offering _of_his to/for_YHWH a _lamb the _son _of its _year _of_his unblemished one to_a _burnt _offering and_a _ewe-lamb one the _daughter _of its _year _of_her unblemished to_a _sin _offering and_a _ram one unblemished to_a _peace _offering(s).

OET-LV NUM 6:15

15 And_a _basket _of unleavened _bread(s) fine _flour _of cakes mixed with_oil and_wafers _of unleavened _bread(s) smeared with_oil and_their _grain _of_offering and_their _drink _of_offerings.

OET-LV NUM 6:16

16 And_ the_priest/officer _he _will _bring_them_near to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before YHWH and_he _will _offer DOM offering _of_his _sin and_DOM offering _of_his _burnt.

OET-LV NUM 6:17

17 And_DOM the_ram he _will _offer a _sacrifice _of peace _offerings to/for_YHWH with the _basket _of the _unleavened _bread(s) and_ the_priest/officer _he _will _offer DOM his/its_donation/offering and_DOM offering _of_its _drink.

OET-LV NUM 6:18

18 And_ the_Nāzīr _he _will _shave the _entrance _of the _tent _of meeting DOM the _head _of his _consecration _of_his and_he/it _will _take DOM the _hair _of the _head _of his _consecration _of_his and_he/it _gave on the_fire which is_under the _sacrifice _of the _peace _offerings.

OET-LV NUM 6:19

19 And_ the_priest/officer _he/it _will _take DOM the_arm boiled from the_ram and_a _cake _of unleavened _bread one from the_basket and_a _wafer _of unleavened _bread one and_he/it _gave on the _palms _of the _Nāzīr after he_has _shaved _himself DOM consecration _of_his.

OET-LV NUM 6:20

20 And_ the_priest/officer _he _will _wave them a _wave-offering to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before YHWH is_a _holy _portion it for_priest with the _breast _of the _wave-offering and_with the _thigh _of the _contribution and_after the_Nāzīr he _will _drink wine.

OET-LV NUM 6:21

21 This is_the _law _of the _Nāzīr who he _will _vow offering _of_his to/for_YHWH will _be_on consecration _of_his (from)_besides _of that_which his/its_hand it _will _reach according_to _the _mouth _of his _vow _of_his which he _will _vow so he _will _do on the _law _of his _consecration _of_his.

Show passage in OET: NUM 6:2

OET-RV NUM 6:2

2 “Tell the Israelis that when any man or woman wants to make a solemn vow to separate themself to Yahweh as a Nazirite,

OET-LV NUM 6:2

2 Speak to the _people _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_you _will _say to_them a _man or a _woman if/because he _will _make _hard to_vow a _vow _of a _Nāzīr to_be _a _Nāzīr to/for_YHWH.

Jump to OET NUM 6:1–8 section.

Jump to OET NUM 6:13–21 section.

Jump to OET NUM 6:2 section.

Frequently, however, vows were taken as a type of bargain with God. At Bethel, Jacob promised God worship and the tithe if he would protect him and supply his needs (Gn 28:20-22). Hannah pledged that if God would give her a son, she would return him to God (1 Sm 1:11, 27-28 OET SA1 1:11 · OET SA1 1:27–28). In the Psalms, payment of vows is often associated with thanksgiving for deliverance from danger or affliction (e.g., Pss 22:24-25; 56:12-13).

Show passage in OET: GEN 28:20–22

OET-RV GEN 28:20

20 Then Ya’akov made a promise to God, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this road that I’m walking on, and give me bread to eat and clothes to wear,

OET-RV GEN 28:21

21 and if I’m able to return safely to my father’s home, then I’ll make Yahweh my god,

OET-RV GEN 28:22

22 and this stone that I’ve stood up as a pillar will be God’s house, and I’ll give you a tenth of everything that you give to me.”

OET-LV GEN 28:20

20 And_ Yaˊₐqoⱱ _he _vowed a _vow to_say if he _will _be god with_me and_he_will _protect _me on_journey the_this which I am_going and_he/it _gave to_me food to_eat and_clothing to_wear.

OET-LV GEN 28:21

21 And_I _will _return in_peace to the _house _of my _father _of_my and_it _was YHWH to_me (into)_god.

OET-LV GEN 28:22

22 And_the_stone (the)_this which I _have _set _up a _pillar it _will _be the _house _of god and_all/each/any/every that you _will _give to_me fully _(tithe) I_will _tithe _it to/for_you(fs).

Show passage in OET: SA1 1:11; SA1 1:27–28

OET-RV SA1 1:11

11 Then she made a vow, saying, “Commander Yahweh, if you would only notice the misery of your female servant and remember me. Don’t ignore me. Help your female servant to give birth to a son, then I’ll give him to you for his entire life, and he’ll never have his hair cut.”

OET-RV SA1 1:27

27 I prayed that Yahweh would give me a son, and he did, and this is him.

OET-RV SA1 1:28

28 Also, I dedicated him to Yahweh all his life, so he’s now given to Yahweh.”
¶ Then they worshipped Yahweh there.

OET-LV SA1 1:11

11 And_she/it _vowed a _vow and_she/it _said Oh_YHWH soldiers/messengers if really _(look) you _will _look in _the_affliction your(ms)_female _slave and_you(ms)_will _remember_me and_not you _will _forget DOM your(ms)_female _slave and_you(ms)_will _give to/for_your(ms)_female _slave offspring _of men and_I _will _give_him/it to/for_YHWH all _of the _days _of his/its_life and_(a)_razor not it _will _go _up on his/its_head.

OET-LV SA1 1:27

27 Concerning the_lad the_this I _prayed and_ YHWH _he/it _gave to_me DOM petition _of_my which I _asked from_with_him.

OET-LV SA1 1:28

28 And_also I I_entrust _him to/for_YHWH all _of the_days which he _has _been he is_asked to/for_YHWH and_he _bowed _down there to/for_YHWH.

Show passage in OET: PSA 22:24–25

OET-RV PSA 22:24

⇔  24 because he hasn’t despised or detested the suffering of the one who’s going through it.
⇔ ≈ Yahweh hasn’t hidden away from him.
⇔ ≈ When the suffering one called out to him, he heard.

OET-RV PSA 22:25

25 You’re the reason that I offer praise when all the people gather.
⇔ ≈ I’ll fulfill my vows publicly in front of those who fear him.

OET-LV PSA 22:25

25  If/because not he _has _despised and_not he _has _detested the_affliction _of an _afflicted_person and_not he _has _hidden his/its_faces/face from_him/it and_when_he_cried _for _help to_him/it he _heard.

OET-LV PSA 22:26

26  Is_from_with_you praise _of_my in_the_assembly great vows _of_my I _will _pay before those_fearing _of_him.

Show passage in OET: PSA 56:12–13

OET-RV PSA 56:12

12 The duty to fulfill my promises to you is on me, God.
⇔ I’ll give thank offerings to you

OET-RV PSA 56:13

13 because you’ve rescued my life from death.
⇔ ≈ You’ve kept me from falling into danger,
⇔ so that I can walk in front of God in the light of the living.

OET-LV PSA 56:13

13  Are_on_me Oh _god vows _of_your I _will _pay thank-offerings to/for_you(fs).

OET-LV PSA 56:14

14  If/because you _have _delivered life _of_my from_death not feet _of_my from_stumbling to_go _about to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before god in_the _light _of (the)_life.

Jump to OET GEN 28:20–22 section.

Jump to OET SA1 1:11 section. · OET SA1 1:27–28 section.

Jump to OET PSA 22:24–25 section.

Jump to OET PSA 56:12–13 section.

Most important is that once a vow is made, the obligation is serious. To refrain from making any vow is no sin (Dt 23:22), but once declared, the vow must be kept (Dt 23:21-23; see also Nm 30:2; Eccl 5:4-6).

Show passage in OET: DEU 23:22

OET-RV DEU 23:22

22 However of course, if you don’t make any vows, then you won’t be guilty,

OET-LV DEU 23:23

23  And_because/when you _will _refrain to_make _a _vow not it _will _be in_you(ms) sin.

Show passage in OET: DEU 23:21–23

OET-RV DEU 23:21

21 When you make a vow to your god Yahweh, don’t put off fulfilling it, because he will hold you accountable and not doing it would count as disobeying him.

OET-RV DEU 23:22

22 However of course, if you don’t make any vows, then you won’t be guilty,

OET-RV DEU 23:23

23 but if you’ve spoken your promise out loud to your god Yahweh, then you’re obligated to keep it.

OET-LV DEU 23:22

22  If/because you _will _vow a _vow to/for_YHWH god _of_your not you _will _delay to_pay_it if/because certainly _(require) he_will _require _it YHWH god _of_your from_with_you and_it _was in_you(ms) sin.

OET-LV DEU 23:23

23  And_because/when you _will _refrain to_make _a _vow not it _will _be in_you(ms) sin.

OET-LV DEU 23:24

24  The _utterance _of your _two’s _lips _of_your you _will _take _care and_you _will _do just_as you _have _vowed to/for_YHWH god _of_your voluntariness that_which you _have _spoken with_mouth _of_your.

Show passage in OET: NUM 30:2

OET-RV NUM 30:2

2 “If a man makes a solemn promise to Yahweh, or makes a binding vow on his own life, he mustn’t dishonour what he said—he must follow whatever came out of his mouth.

OET-LV NUM 30:3

3  A _man if/because he _will _vow a _vow to/for_YHWH or he _will _swear an _oath to_bind an _obligation on self _of_his not he _will _violate message _of_his according_to _every _of (the)_thing_which _has_gone _out from_mouth _of_his he _will _do.

Show passage in OET: ECC 5:4–6

OET-RV ECC 5:4

4 When you promise something to God,
⇔ don’t put off doing what you promised
⇔ because no one likes fools.
⇔ Whatever you promise, do it!

OET-RV ECC 5:5

5 It’s better not to make a promise
⇔ than to promise something and then not do it.

OET-RV ECC 5:6

6 Don’t allow your mouth to cause your whole body to sin,
⇔ and don’t tell the temple messenger that it was an unintentional sin.
⇔ Why make God angry by what you say
⇔ and destroy the good things that you’ve done?

OET-LV ECC 5:3

3  Just_as you _will _vow a _vow to_god do _not delay to_pay_it if/because there_is_not pleasure in_fools DOM that_which you _will _vow pay.

OET-LV ECC 5:4

4  Is_good which/who not you _will _vow more_that_you _will _vow and_not you _will _pay.

OET-LV ECC 5:5

5  Do _not permit DOM mouth _of_your to_cause _to _sin DOM flesh _of_your and_do _not say to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before the_messenger if/because _that was_inadvertence it to/for_what the_ʼElohīm will _he _be _angry towards voice _of_your and_he _will _ruin DOM the _work _of your _two’s _hands _of_your.

Jump to OET DEU 23:22 section.

Jump to OET DEU 23:21–23 section.

Jump to OET NUM 30:2 section.

Jump to OET ECC 5:4–6 section.

The term “vow” occurs just twice in the NT, both times in association with the apostle Paul (Acts 18:18; 21:23-24). But the same principle is involved in the case of the word “Corban” (Mk 7:11-13; cf. Mt 15:5-6). In these two passages Jesus severely rebuked those who made a vow that served as a clever escape from meeting obligations to care for aged parents. A monetary figure was involved in such a “gift” or “offering.” But Jesus declared that God did not want a gift designed to deprive someone.

Show passage in OET: ACT 18:18

OET-RV ACT 18:18

18 Paulos stayed on for quite a few days after that, then he farewelled the believers and went to Kegkreai where he had his hair cut as was the custom for someone making a vow. Then taking Priskilla and Akulas (Aquila) with him, he sailed towards Aram (Syria).

OET-LV ACT 18:18

18 And the Paulos having _remained many days still, having _bid _goodbye to _the brothers, was _sailing _away to the Suria/(ʼArām), and with him Priskilla and Akulas, having _shaved his head in Kegⱪreai, because/for he _was _having a_vow.

Show passage in OET: ACT 21:23–24

OET-RV ACT 21:23

23 So here’s what we suggest that you do: Four of our men are making a public vow.

OET-RV ACT 21:24

24 Why don’t you join these four and join them in the purification ceremony at the temple and pay their expenses in getting your heads shaved. Then everyone will be able to see that it’s false what they’ve heard about you, because you clearly still comply with Mosheh’s instructions.

OET-LV ACT 21:23

23 Therefore do this, what we _are _saying to _you.
Four Men are with _us, having a_vow for themselves.

OET-LV ACT 21:24

24 Having _taken these men, be _purified with them and spend for them, in _order _that they _will _be _shaving his head, and all will _be _knowing that of _which they _have _been _instructed about you nothing is, but you _are _aligning also yourself, keeping the law.

Show passage in OET: MRK 7:11–13

OET-RV MRK 7:11

11 But when you all encourage people to say, ‘Whatever I had that may have helped you guys has been given to God’,

OET-RV MRK 7:12

12 you are actively discouraging them from helping their parents—

OET-RV MRK 7:13

13 overriding God’s message with your very convenient teaching that you disseminate instead. And that’s not the only example!”

OET-LV MRK 7:11

11 But you _all are _saying:
If a_person may _say to _the father or the mother:
whatever you _may _be _benefitted if from me it _is Korban (that is ‘a_gift’),

OET-LV MRK 7:12

12 you _all _are_ no _longer _allowing him to _do nothing for _the father or the mother,

OET-LV MRK 7:13

13 annulling the message of_ the _god for _the tradition of _you _all to _which you _all _gave _over.
And many similar such things you _all _are _doing.

Show passage in OET: MAT 15:5–6

OET-RV MAT 15:5

5 But if someone tells their father or mother that whatever help they may have expected from them is now given away as a gift, then you people say

OET-RV MAT 15:6

6 that they’re not actually dishonouring their parents. So by saying that, you’re overriding God’s message with your own tradition.

OET-LV MAT 15:5

5 But you _all are _saying:
Whoever wishfully may _say to _the father or the mother:
Whatever if you _may _be _benefitted by me:
A_gift,

OET-LV MAT 15:6

6 by _no _means he_˓will˒_ not _be _honouring the father of _him.
And you _all _annulled the message of_ the _god because _of the tradition of _you _all.

Jump to OET ACT 18:18 section.

Jump to OET ACT 21:23–24 section.

Jump to OET MRK 7:11–13 section.

Jump to OET MAT 15:5–6 section.

In the case of Paul, he may have entered into his vows for the very purpose of averting objections that either antagonistic Jews or Jewish-Christian believers had to his removing the yoke of Mosaic regulations from the shoulders of gentile believers. Paul was in Jerusalem under the keen surveillance of Jewish authorities. He made it a point to join with four other Jewish believers in the payment of vows in the temple. This action, however, was misconstrued by his enemies, who charged that he was bringing Gentiles into the holy temple.