Topical Bible: Women: Vows of

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In the biblical context, vows made by women are addressed with specific guidelines and considerations, particularly in the Old Testament. The primary passage that discusses the vows of women is found in Numbers 30, which provides detailed instructions regarding the making and fulfillment of vows by women, reflecting the societal and familial structures of ancient Israel.

Biblical Guidelines for Women's Vows

According to Numbers 30, a vow is a solemn promise or commitment made to God, often involving a pledge to perform a certain act or to abstain from specific behaviors. The passage outlines different scenarios based on the woman's marital status and household authority.

1. Unmarried Women Living in Their Father's House:
· If a young woman makes a vow while still living in her father's house, her vow is subject to her father's approval. Numbers 30:3-5 states, "And if a woman in her father's house during her youth makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge, and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, all the vows and pledges with which she has bound herself shall stand. But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, none of the vows or pledges with which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will release her because her father has prohibited her."

2. Married Women:
· A married woman's vows are also subject to her husband's authority. Numbers 30:6-8 explains, "If a woman marries while under a vow or rash promise by which she has bound herself, and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her on the day he hears about it, her vows and pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. But if her husband prohibits her when he hears of it, he nullifies the vow that binds her or the rash promise by which she has bound herself, and the LORD will release her."

3. Widows and Divorced Women:
· The vows of widows and divorced women are binding without the need for external approval, as they are considered independent. Numbers 30:9 states, "Every vow a widow or divorced woman pledges to fulfill is binding on her."

Theological and Cultural Considerations

The regulations concerning women's vows reflect the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where male authority figures, such as fathers and husbands, played a significant role in the decision-making processes within the family. These guidelines ensured that vows made by women did not conflict with the family's overall commitments and responsibilities.

From a theological perspective, the emphasis on vows highlights the seriousness with which commitments to God were regarded. Vows were not to be made lightly, and the provision for nullification by a father or husband underscores the importance of communal and familial harmony in fulfilling religious obligations.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not provide specific instructions regarding women's vows, the principles of integrity and faithfulness in speech and commitments are emphasized for all believers. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:33-37 encourages simplicity and truthfulness in communication: "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... Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'"

In summary, the biblical instructions regarding women's vows reflect the cultural and familial dynamics of the time, while also underscoring the importance of sincerity and accountability in one's commitments to God.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 30:3-16
If a woman also vow a vow to the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;
Nave's Topical Index

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That the Vows of those in Holy Orders and of Monks, and of Nuns ...
... That the vows of those in holy orders and of monks, and of nuns are ... churches, that
certain of those who call themselves religious men and women, forgetting the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xix that the vows.htm

Of Monastic Vows.
... And this was more the case in convents of women than of monks, although more ... To these
evils was added such a persuasion concerning vows as, it is well known ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxvii of monastic vows.htm

The Glory of the virgins and Religious.
... This class is composed exclusively of men and women who, while on earth, consecrated
themselves to God by the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter xix the glory of.htm

Of Vows. The Miserable Entanglements Caused by Vowing Rashly.
... But not to press the two former points, I say that it was unlawful to allow women
to take a ... I will not enter at length into a refutation of the other two vows. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 13 of vows the.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... Thus vows made before this age will be of no account. But the Church did not yet
know these vows. ... And in the same way he says that wanton women cast off faith. ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

Praises and Vows Accepted in Zion
... I am afraid that where organs, choirs, and singing men and singing women are left
to ... may be that had we been better men we should have made more vows; it may ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/praises and vows accepted in.htm

Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome
... spiritual companionship for those ordinary delights which, by pious vows, she had ...
The law of Valentinian, forbidding these women to make clerics their legatees ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vii women who witnessed the.htm

The Grey Sisters
... Although vows taken thus annually did not imply a lifelong dedication, the Sisters
of Charity who returned to the world were few. Many heroic women spent their ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 6 the grey sisters.htm

Lydda
... Not that the distance of the places is made less; but that hence may be shewn, that
no disadvantage accrued to these women, who paid their vows and performed ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 16 lydda.htm

With the Entry of Angela's Great Picture "The Coming of Christ" ...
... politicians and statesmen with anxiety for themselves if not for their country,
we hear every day of men and women breaking their marriage vows as lightly as ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxviii with the entry of.htm