Vows
“Vow, from a root meaning to promise”
Summary
A vow is a solemn promise made to God to perform or abstain from a specific action, considered binding once uttered and regulated by detailed Mosaic legislation.
☩Types of Vows
Three types of vows existed under Mosaic law: vows of devotion, vows of abstinence, and vows of destruction. Vows of devotion involved dedicating persons, animals, or property to sacred uses. If animals fit for sacrifice were vowed, they could not be redeemed or exchanged. Persons devoted could become servants of the sanctuary or be redeemed at a valuation according to age and sex. Vows of abstinence included the Nazarite vow, and vows of destruction involved dedicating enemies to complete annihilation.
☩Regulations and Obligations
Vows were entirely voluntary, but once made were compulsory. Ecclesiastes warns: 'When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.' Special regulations governed dependent persons: if an unmarried daughter or wife made a vow, her father or husband could disallow it upon hearing; silence meant consent. Things forbidden as vow offerings included the earnings of prostitution and anything obtained through improper means.
☩Biblical Examples
Jacob vowed at Bethel to give God a tenth of all he received. Hannah vowed to dedicate her son Samuel to the Lord if He granted her request. Jephthah made a rash vow leading to the tragic consecration of his daughter. Absalom used a pretended vow as cover for his rebellion. In the New Testament, Paul took a vow involving shaving his head, likely a Nazarite vow. The Jews who conspired against Paul bound themselves under a vow not to eat until they had killed him.
☩Jesus' Teaching on Vows
Jesus severely rebuked the Pharisaical abuse of vows, particularly the practice of Corban. Some declared their resources 'Corban' (devoted to God), thereby excusing themselves from supporting their parents, while often retaining use of the resources themselves. Jesus condemned this as making void the commandment to honor father and mother through hypocritical tradition. He said nothing against proper, sincere vows that did not conflict with higher duties.
Related Verses61 mentions
References
- 1.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Vows," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 2.George Morrish, "Vows," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Vows," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).