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Deuteronomy 23:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 23:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “When thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

When thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
Deuteronomy 23:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Jehovah thy God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.
19Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of anything that is lent upon interest:
20unto a foreigner thou mayest lend upon interest; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon interest, that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all that thou puttest thy hand unto, in the land whither thou goest in to possess it.
21When thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
22But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.
23That which is gone out of thy lips thou shalt observe and do; according as thou hast vowed unto Jehovah thy God, a freewill-offering, which thou hast promised with thy mouth.
24When thou comest into thy neighbor`s vineyard, then thou mayest eat of grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.
← Deuteronomy 23:20Deuteronomy 23:22 →
← Full Chapter 23 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“When thou shalt vow a vow--(See on Num 30:2).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Not slack - Not delay: because delays may make them both unable to pay it, and unwilling too. Deuteronomy 23:23”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 23:18; Gen 28:20, Gen 35:1-3; Lev. 27:2-34; Num 30:2-16; Psa 56:12, Psa 66:13, Psa 66:14; Psa 76:11, Psa 116:18; Ecc 5:4, Ecc 5:5; Jon 1:16, Jon 2:9; Nah 1:15 Deuteronomy 23:23”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Vows vowed to the Lord were to be fulfilled without delay; but omitting to vow was not a sin. (On vows themselves, see at Lev and Num 30:2.) נדבה is an accusative defining the meaning more fully: in free will, spontaneously. Deuteronomy 23:24”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification