FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows
Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation Numbers 30:2
KJVIf a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
Read it in context
Laws about Vows
Start reading at Numbers 30:1 (Numbers 30:1 to Numbers 30:16).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
A new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
- 30:1 And Moses spake unto the heads of the tribes concerning the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded.
- 30:2 If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth.
- 30:3 If a woman also vow a vow unto the LORD, and bind herself by a bond, being in her father's house in her youth;
- 30:4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand.
- 30:5 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.
- 30:6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul;
- 30:7 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard it: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
- 30:8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard it; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and the LORD shall forgive her.
- 30:9 But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.
- 30:10 And if she vowed in her husband's house, or bound her soul by a bond with an oath;
- 30:11 And her husband heard it, and held his peace at her, and disallowed her not: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she bound her soul shall stand.
- 30:12 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.
- 30:13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void.
- 30:14 But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day; then he establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds, which are upon her: he confirmeth them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
- 30:15 But if he shall any ways make them void after that he hath heard them; then he shall bear her iniquity.
- 30:16 These are the statutes, which the LORD commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between the father and his daughter, being yet in her youth in her father's house.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the traditional author. He is explicitly credited with writing Israel's journeys at the LORD's command. Biblical references: Numbers 33:2. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). traditionally held
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Numbers 28:1–30:16): Moses delivers instructions to Israel, including leaders of the tribes, concerning offerings, appointed times, and vows. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel during the wilderness journey, including the generation preparing to enter Canaan, with the record preserved for later Israel. Biblical references: Numbers 1:1; Numbers 26:63; Numbers 36:13. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Laws about Vows. Read Numbers 30:1 through Numbers 30:16 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? A new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book moves from the second year after departure from Egypt toward the fortieth year, through the deaths of the wilderness generation and preparation of its successors. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The setting moves from Sinai through wilderness stations to the plains of Moab east of Jordan. Individual journeys and encounters name more precise locations. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Laws about Vows (Numbers 30:1 to Numbers 30:16). Start reading at Numbers 30:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Jesus explicitly refers to Moses lifting up the serpent when speaking about the Son of man. Paul also uses wilderness events as warnings for the church; these connections preserve both God's provision and human responsibility. See John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Receive warnings about complaint, unbelief, and rebellion without presuming that participation in a community removes personal responsibility. Read each event with its stated circumstances. interpretation
Cited: Numbers 30:1, Numbers 30:16, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command.
Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.
Related passages
- vow a vow Num 21:2 Gen 28:20-22 Lev 27:2-34 Deut 23:21-22 Judg 11:11,30-31,35-36 Judg 11:39 Ps 15:3 Ps 56:12
- swear Exod 20:7 Lev 5:4 Matt 5:33-34 Matt 14:7-9 Acts 23:12 2 Cor 1:23 2 Cor 9:9-11
- to bind Num 30:3-4,10 Matt 23:16,18 Acts 23:12,14,21
- break Ps 55:20
- he shall do Job 22:27 Ps 22:25 Ps 50:14 Ps 66:13-14 Ps 116:14,18 Eccl 5:4-5 Nah 1:15
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Time covered by Numbers
About 38 years
- Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1
Israel is counted at Sinai
The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt. - Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period
Israel prepares to enter the land
Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Numbers 30
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Numbers
Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition.
Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64
Ordering the camp
Numbers 1:1–10:10FocusNumbering, worship, and preparation
Connection to the wholeThe camp is organized around the tabernacle and prepared to depart from Sinai.
interpretation The journey and the refusal to enter
Numbers 10:11–14:45FocusComplaint, leadership, and unbelief
Connection to the wholeTravel and repeated complaints culminate in the refusal to enter the land and the sentence upon that generation.
interpretation Life under the wilderness judgment
Numbers 15:1–19:22FocusPriesthood and cleansing
Connection to the wholeFurther rebellion and instructions about service and cleansing develop the people's life during the wilderness period.
interpretation Toward Moab
Numbers 20:1–25:18FocusLoss, conflict, blessing, and unfaithfulness
Connection to the wholeDeaths and conflicts accompany the approach to Moab. Balaam's oracles are followed by Israel's sin at Peor, keeping blessing and responsibility together.
interpretation FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows
Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation Final arrangements east of Jordan
Numbers 31:1–36:13FocusJudgment, settlement, and boundaries
Connection to the wholeMilitary action, settlement requests, the travel record, and land provisions complete the preparation for entry into Canaan.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.