Numbers 30:13

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 30:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
Numbers 30:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, etc.] By fasting, as Aben Ezra observes; as when a vow was made, or a person bound herself by an oath to abstain from such and such food, or to fast on such a day; to keep a fast which was not appointed, to set apart a day for fasting, besides the grand and general fast on the day of atonement: Jarchi from hence gathers, that a man only makes vows of afflicting the soul, or vows of fasting; but this is not said by way of limitation and restriction, but by way of amplification and illustration, giving a particular instance, by which others may be judged of: her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void, just as he pleased;…”
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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
“To afflict her soul - Herself by fasting, by watching, or the like. And these words are added to shew that the husband had this power not only in those vows which concerned himself or his estate, but also in those which might seem only to concern her own person, or body, and the reason is, because the wife's person or body being the husband's right; she might not do any thing to the injury of her body without his consent. Numbers 30:15”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and every: Co1 11:3, Co1 11:9; Pe1 3:1-6 to afflict: Num 29:7; Lev 16:29, Lev 23:27, Lev 23:32; Ezr 8:21; Psa 35:13; Isa 58:5; Co1 7:5 Numbers 30:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification