---
title: "Clarke"
description: "be considered either as confirmed or annulled, 9-15. Recapitulation of these ordinances, 16. NOTES ON CHAP. XXX Verse Numbers 30:2. If a man vow a vow — A"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/numbers/30"
---

*be considered either as confirmed or annulled*, 9-15.
*Recapitulation of these ordinances*, 16.
NOTES ON CHAP. XXX

Verse [Numbers 30:2](../../../kjv/numbers/30/2). ***If a man vow a vow*** — A *vow* is a religious promise made to God. Vows were of several kinds:-
1. Of *abstinence* or *humiliation*, see ver. [Numbers 30:13](../../../kjv/numbers/30/13);
2. Of the *Nazarite*, see [Numbers 6:1-21](../../../kjv/numbers/6/1-21);
3. Of *giving certain things* or *sacrifices* to the Lord, [Leviticus 7:16](../../../kjv/leviticus/7/16);
4. Of *alms* given to the *poor*, see [Deuteronomy 23:21](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/23/21).
The law in this chapter must have been very useful, as it both *prevented* and *annulled rash vows*, and provided a proper sanction for the support and performance of those that were rationally and piously made. Besides, this law must have acted as a great preventive of *lying* and *hypocrisy*. If a vow was properly made, a man or woman was bound, under penalty of the displeasure of God, to fulfil it.

Verse [Numbers 30:3](../../../kjv/numbers/30/3). ***In her youth*** — That is, say the rabbins, under *twelve* years of age; and under *thirteen* in case of a *young man*. Young persons of this age were considered to be under the authority of their parents, and had consequently no power to vow away the property of another. A *married woman* was in the same circumstances, because she was under the *authority* of her *husband*. If however the *parents* or the *husband* heard of the vow, and objected to it in the *same day in which they heard of it*, ([Numbers 30:5](../../../kjv/numbers/30/5)), then the vow was annulled; or, if having heard of it, they held their peace, this was considered a ratification of the vow.
A *rash vow* was never to be kept; "for," says Philo, and common sense and justice say the same, "he who commits an unjust action because of his vow adds one crime to another,
1. By making an unlawful *vow*;
2. By doing an unlawful *action*."

Verse [Numbers 30:12](../../../kjv/numbers/30/12). ***Concerning the bond of her soul*** — Her life is at stake if she fulfil not the obligation under which she has laid herself.

Verse [Numbers 30:16](../../../kjv/numbers/30/16). ***These are the statutes*** — It is very probable that this law, like that concerning the succession of *daughters*, ([Numbers 27:1-11](../../../kjv/numbers/27/1-11)), rose from the exigency of some particular case that had just then occurred.
Making vows, in almost any case, is a dangerous business; they seldom do any good, and often much evil. He who does not feel himself bound to do what is *fit, right*, and *just*, from the standing testimony of God's word, is not likely to do it from any obligation he may lay upon *his own* conscience. If God's *word* lack weight with him, his own will prove lighter than vanity. Every man who professes the Christian religion is under the most *solemn* *obligation* to devote body, soul, and spirit to God, not only to the utmost extent of his powers, but also as long as he exists. Being *baptized*, and receiving the *sacrament* of the Lord's Supper, are additional ratifications of the great, general, Christian vow; but every true follower of Christ should always remember, and frequently renew, his covenant with God.

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