Numbers 30:6

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 30:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And if she be [married] to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And if she be [married] to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul,
Numbers 30:6 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And if she be [married] to a husband, while her vows are upon her, or the rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And if she had at all an husband with whom she vowed, etc.] Or “when her vows were upon her” f449, was either betrothed or married to a man: or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; uttered anything, either with or without premeditation, either with thought and deliberation, or rashly and imprudently, as the word signifies, yet in such a manner that it was binding upon her.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Rather, And if she shall at all be an husband’s, and her vows shall be upon her, or a rash utterance of her lips, wherewith she hath bound her soul, etc. The “at all” intimates that the case of a girl betrothed but not yet actually married is here especially contemplated. After betrothal, a woman continued to reside, until the period of her marriage arrived, in her father’s house; but her property was from that time forward vested in her husband, and she was so far regarded as personally his, that an act of faithlessness to him was, like adultery, punishable with death Deuteronomy 22:23-24. Hence, his right to control her vows even before he actually took her home as his wife. return to 'Top…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:6-8 When a young Hebrew woman married, she came under the authority of her husband, who could void the obligations of a vow or pledge made by his wife while she was under her father’s authority by nullifying it as soon as he heard about it.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“she vowed: Heb. her vows were upon her, Psa 56:12 Numbers 30:8”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Sources and verification