Numbers 30:1

“And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes, etc.] Or the princes of them, who could more easily be convened, and who used to meet on certain occasions, and on whom it lay to see various laws put in execution: concerning the children of Israel; how they ought to conduct and behave in the following case, it being an affair which concerned them all: saying, this is the thing which the Lord hath commanded; relating to vows. Aben Ezra is of opinion that this was delivered after the battle with Midian, of which there is an account in the following chapter, and is occasioned by what was said, to the tribes of Gad and Reuben, (<043224>Numbers 32:24,25) do that which hath proceeded out of your…”

“VOWS ARE NOT TO BE BROKEN. (Num. 30:1-16) This is the thing which the Lord hath commanded--The subject of this chapter relates to vowing, which seems to have been an ancient usage, allowed by the law to remain, and by which some people declared their intention of offering some gift on the altar or abstaining from particular articles of meat or drink, of observing a private fast, or doing something to the honor or in the service of God, over and above what was authoritatively required. In Num 29:39, mention was made of "vows and freewill offerings," and it is probable, from the explanatory nature of the rules laid down in this chapter, that these were given for the removal of doubts and…”

“The regulations respecting vows appropriately follow those given respecting 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 estimation of things vowed to God. It is probable that this fresh legislation dealing especially with vows made by persons in a state of tutelage, was occasioned by some case of practical difficulty that had recently arisen; and it is addressed by Moses to “the heads of the tribes” Numbers 30:1, who would in their judicial capacity have to determine questions on these subjects. There is no provision in the chapter for annulling vows made by boys and young men;…”

“30:1-16 Vows were an important way to express devotion or piety, but were sometimes made in haste and were often forgotten. Voluntary pledges were commonly made on special religious occasions or in times of war. Perhaps the reference to vows and voluntary offerings (29:39) prompted the further discussion here (cp. 15:3; see also 6:1-21; Lev 5:4-5; 27:1-34; Deut 23:21-23). These instructions were applied in the case of Hannah and Elkanah (1 Sam 1:1-28). Such practices, which included fasting, continued into the New Testament period (e.g., Matt 6:16; 15:3-9; Acts 18:18; 21:23). Vows of females—young and unmarried or adult and married—were subject to approval by the responsible male who would…”

“Num 1:4-16, Num 7:2, Num 34:17-28; Exo 18:25; Deu 1:13-17 Numbers 30:2”

“The rules by which vows were to be legally regulated, so far as their objects and their discharge were concerned, has been already laid down in Lev; but the chapter before us contains instructions with reference to the force of vows and renunciations. These are so far in place in connection with the general rules of sacrifice, that vows related for the most part to the presentation of sacrifices; and even vows of renunciation partook of the character of worship. The instructions in question were addressed ( Num 30:1) to "the heads of the tribes," because they entered into the sphere of civil rights, namely, into that of family life. Numbers 30:2”