Numbers 30:8

8 But if on the day that her husband hears it he expresses disapproval to her, he can break her solemn promise and the statement by which she bound herself. Then the LORD will forgive her.

Numbers 30:8 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 30:8

But if her husband disallow her on the day that he heard it,
&c.] Expresses his dislike of it; and this he does as soon as he hears it, at least that same day; according to the Jews ^F24, within the space of twenty four hours:

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;
by contradicting it, and forbidding the performance of it; or however by declaring to her, or to others, that it is not agreeable to his mind and will that it should be fulfilled:

and the Lord shall forgive her;
excuse her performance of the vow, and not impute sin to her on that account, nor punish for the breach of it, she being under the cover of her husband, and obliged to submit to his will. According to Jarchi, the Scripture speaks of a woman that vows to be a Nazarite; her husband hears and makes it void; but she does not know it, and transgresses her vow, and drinks wine, and is defiled with the dead, so that she has need of forgiveness, though it is made void; and if vows made void, he adds, have need of pardon, much more those that are not.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 Leo Modena's History of Rites par. 2. c. 4.

Numbers 30:8 In-Context

6 If she marries while her solemn promise is in effect or makes a statement by which she binds herself,

7 and her husband hears it and on the day he hears it keeps silent—her solemn promises will stand as well as her binding obligations for herself.

8 But if on the day that her husband hears it he expresses disapproval to her, he can break her solemn promise and the statement by which she bound herself. Then the LORD will forgive her.

9 Every solemn promise of a widow or a divorced woman who makes a binding obligation for herself will stand.

10 If a woman makes a solemn promise in her husband's household or makes a binding obligation for herself with a solemn pledge,