Numbers 30:12
New International Version
But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then none of the vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will release her.

New Living Translation
But if her husband refuses to accept it on the day he hears of it, her vow or pledge will be nullified, and the LORD will forgive her.

English Standard Version
But if her husband makes them null and void on the day that he hears them, then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning her pledge of herself shall not stand. Her husband has made them void, and the LORD will forgive her.

Berean Standard Bible
But if her husband nullifies them on the day he hears of them, then nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or pledges, shall stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will absolve her.

King James Bible
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

New King James Version
But if her husband truly made them void on the day he heard them, then whatever proceeded from her lips concerning her vows or concerning the agreement binding her, it shall not stand; her husband has made them void, and the LORD will release her.

New American Standard Bible
But if her husband actually annuls them on the day he hears them, then no utterance from her lips concerning her vows or the obligation she put on herself shall remain valid; her husband has annulled them, and the LORD will forgive her.

NASB 1995
“But if her husband indeed annuls them on the day he hears them, then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the obligation of herself shall not stand; her husband has annulled them, and the LORD will forgive her.

NASB 1977
“But if her husband indeed annuls them on the day he hears them, then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the obligation of herself, shall not stand; her husband has annulled them, and the LORD will forgive her.

Legacy Standard Bible
But if her husband indeed annuls them on the day he hears them, then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the obligation of herself shall not stand; her husband has annulled them, and Yahweh will pardon her.

Amplified Bible
But if her husband absolutely annuls them on the day he heard them, then whatever proceeds from her lips concerning her vows or concerning her pledge shall not stand. Her husband has annulled them, and the LORD will forgive her.

Christian Standard Bible
But if her husband cancels them on the day he hears about it, nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or her obligation, is binding. Her husband has canceled them, and the LORD will release her.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if her husband cancels them on the day he hears about it, nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or her obligation, is binding. Her husband has canceled them, and the LORD will absolve her.

American Standard Version
But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and Jehovah will forgive her.

Contemporary English Version
But if he hears about the promise and does object, she no longer has to keep it. The LORD will forgive her, because her husband would not allow her to keep the promise.

English Revised Version
But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
But if her husband cancels it when he hears about it, nothing she said in her vow or oath has to be kept. Her husband has canceled it, and the LORD will free her [from this vow or oath].

Good News Translation
But if her husband forbids her to fulfill the vow when he hears about it, she is not required to keep it. The LORD will forgive her, because her husband prevented her from keeping her vow.

International Standard Version
But if her husband disallowed them the very day that he heard her, everything that she spoke relating to her vows and her obligation to herself are not to stand, because her husband revoked them. The LORD will forgive her.

Majority Standard Bible
But if her husband nullifies them on the day he hears of them, then nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or pledges, shall stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will absolve her.

NET Bible
But if her husband clearly nullifies them when he hears them, then whatever she says by way of vows or obligations will not stand. Her husband has made them void, and the LORD will release her from them.

New Heart English Bible
But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband has made them void; and the LORD will forgive her.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if her husband hath utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

World English Bible
But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand. Her husband has made them void. Yahweh will forgive her.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And if her husband certainly breaks them in the day of his hearing, none of the outgoing of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, is established—her husband has broken them—and YHWH is propitious to her.

Young's Literal Translation
'And if her husband doth certainly break them in the day of his hearing, none of the outgoing of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, is established -- her husband hath broken them -- and Jehovah is propitious to her.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if her husband annulling, shall annul them in the day of his hearing; all the going forth of her lips for her vows and for the binding of her soul, shall not stand: her husband annulled them, and Jehovah will forgive her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if forthwith he gainsay it, she shall not be bound by the promise: because her husband gainsaid it, and the Lord will be merciful to her.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if he promptly contradicts it, she shall not be held liable to the promise. For her husband has contradicted it. And the Lord will be favorable to her.

New American Bible
But if on the day he learns of them her husband annuls them, then whatever she has expressly promised in her vows or in her pledge becomes invalid; since her husband has annulled them, the LORD will release her from them.

New Revised Standard Version
But if her husband nullifies them at the time that he hears them, then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning her pledge of herself, shall not stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will forgive her.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if her husband has utterly made her vows void on the day when he heard them; then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows or concerning the bonds by which she bound herself shall not stand, because her husband has made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if her husband would certainly nullify them in the day when he hears everything that goes out from her lips, her vow and the bond that she bound on herself shall not be established because her husband nullified them and LORD JEHOVAH shall forgive her.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if her husband make them null and void in the day that he heareth them, then whatsoever proceeded out of her lips, whether it were her vows, or the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband hath made them void; and the LORD will forgive her.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if her husband should utterly cancel the vow in the day in which he shall hear it, none of the things which shall proceed out of her lips in her vows, and in the obligations contracted upon her soul, shall stand to her; her husband has cancelled them, and the Lord shall hold her guiltless.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws Concerning Vows
11and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her and does not prohibit her, then all the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. 12But if her husband nullifies them on the day he hears of them, then nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or pledges, shall stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will absolve her. 13Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow or any sworn pledge to deny herself.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Deuteronomy 23:21-23
If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. / But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. / Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. / Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?

Matthew 15:4-6
For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’ / he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

Mark 7:9-13
He went on to say, “You neatly set aside the command of God to maintain your own tradition. / For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’ / But you say that if a man says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is Corban’ (that is, a gift devoted to God), ...

1 Corinthians 7:36-38
However, if someone thinks he is acting inappropriately toward his betrothed, and if she is beyond her youth and they ought to marry, let him do as he wishes; he is not sinning; they should get married. / But the man who is firmly established in his heart and under no constraint, with control over his will and resolve in his heart not to marry the virgin, he will do well. / So then, he who marries the virgin does well, but he who does not marry her does even better.

Ephesians 5:22-24
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. / For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. / Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

1 Peter 3:1-6
Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your husbands, so that even if they refuse to believe the word, they will be won over without words by the behavior of their wives / when they see your pure and reverent demeanor. / Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, ...

Genesis 3:16
To the woman He said: “I will sharply increase your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Colossians 3:18
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

1 Timothy 2:11-14
A woman must learn in quietness and full submissiveness. / I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; she is to remain quiet. / For Adam was formed first, and then Eve. ...

Exodus 21:7-11
And if a man sells his daughter as a servant, she is not to go free as the menservants do. / If she is displeasing in the eyes of her master who had designated her for himself, he must allow her to be redeemed. He has no right to sell her to foreigners, since he has broken faith with her. / And if he chooses her for his son, he must deal with her as with a daughter. ...

Leviticus 27:2-8
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, / if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel. / Or if it is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But if her husband has utterly made them void on the day he heard them; then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand: her husband has made them void; and the LORD shall forgive her.

her husband hath made

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

and the Lord

Numbers 30:5,8
But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her…

Numbers 15:25,28
And the priest shall make an atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance: and they shall bring their offering, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD, and their sin offering before the LORD, for their ignorance: …

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Annulled Annuls Bond Heard Heareth Indeed Lips Makes Null Nullified Nullifies Obligation Pledge Pledges Proceeded Soul Stand Utterly Void Vows Whatever Whatsoever
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Annulled Annuls Bond Heard Heareth Indeed Lips Makes Null Nullified Nullifies Obligation Pledge Pledges Proceeded Soul Stand Utterly Void Vows Whatever Whatsoever
Numbers 30
1. Vows are not to be broken
3. The exceptions of a maid's vows
6. Of a wife's
9. Of a widow's or her that is divorced














But if her husband nullifies them
The phrase "nullifies them" comes from the Hebrew root "הָפֵר" (haphar), which means to break, frustrate, or annul. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the husband held a position of authority within the household, and his ability to nullify vows reflects the patriarchal structure of society. This authority was not meant to oppress but to protect and guide the family in spiritual and practical matters. The husband's role was to ensure that vows made were in alignment with God's will and the family's well-being.

on the day he hears of them
The immediacy of "on the day he hears of them" underscores the importance of timely decision-making in spiritual leadership. In the Hebrew culture, vows were serious commitments made before God, and the husband's prompt response was crucial. This reflects a principle of accountability and responsibility, emphasizing that spiritual leadership requires attentiveness and discernment.

then nothing that proceeds from her lips
The phrase "proceeds from her lips" highlights the power and significance of spoken words in biblical times. Words were seen as binding and potent, capable of shaping reality and relationships. This underscores the biblical teaching that our words should be carefully considered and aligned with God's truth, as they carry weight and consequence.

regarding her vows or her pledges
"Vows" and "pledges" refer to solemn promises made to God, often involving a commitment to perform a specific act or abstain from certain behaviors. In the Hebrew tradition, these were not taken lightly, as they were seen as binding contracts with the divine. The distinction between vows and pledges may indicate different types of commitments, each requiring careful consideration and integrity.

shall stand
The phrase "shall stand" implies permanence and validity. In the context of vows, it suggests that once a vow is made, it is expected to be fulfilled unless legitimately annulled. This reflects the biblical principle of faithfulness and the importance of keeping one's word, as God Himself is faithful and true to His promises.

Her husband has nullified them
Reiterating the husband's authority, this phrase emphasizes the protective role he plays in the spiritual oversight of the family. His ability to nullify vows serves as a safeguard against rash or unwise commitments that could harm the individual or the family unit. It reflects the biblical model of headship, where leadership is exercised with love, wisdom, and a desire for the family's spiritual health.

and the LORD will absolve her
The assurance that "the LORD will absolve her" highlights God's grace and understanding. It acknowledges human fallibility and the need for divine mercy. In the conservative Christian perspective, this reflects the broader biblical theme of God's willingness to forgive and release us from burdens when we turn to Him in humility and faith. It is a reminder of the freedom and peace found in God's absolution, encouraging believers to trust in His compassionate nature.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְאִם־ (wə·’im-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

her husband
אִישָׁהּ֮ (’î·šāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

nullifies
הָפֵר֩ (hā·p̄êr)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

them on the day
בְּי֣וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

he hears of them,
שָׁמְעוֹ֒ (šā·mə·‘ōw)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

then nothing
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that came from
מוֹצָ֨א (mō·w·ṣā)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4161: A place or act of going forth, issue, export, source, spring

her lips,
שְׂפָתֶ֧יהָ (śə·p̄ā·ṯe·hā)
Noun - fdc | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

whether her vows
לִנְדָרֶ֛יהָ (lin·ḏā·re·hā)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5088: A promise, a thing promised

or her
נַפְשָׁ֖הּ (nap̄·šāh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

obligation,
וּלְאִסַּ֥ר (ū·lə·’is·sar)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 632: A bond, binding obligation

shall stand.
יָק֑וּם (yā·qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

Her husband
אִישָׁ֣הּ (’î·šāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

has nullified them,
יָפֵ֨ר (yā·p̄êr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6565: To break up, to violate, frustrate

and the LORD
וַיהוָ֖ה (Yah·weh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will absolve her.
יִֽסְלַֽח־ (yis·laḥ-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon


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OT Law: Numbers 30:12 But if her husband made them null (Nu Num.)
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