Numbers – Chapter 30

Old Testament17 Verses

1And Moses told the children of Israel all that the Lord had commanded him:

2And he said to the princes of the tribes of the children of Israel: This is the word that the Lord hath commanded:

3If any man make a vow to the Lord, or bind himself by an oath: he shall not make his word void but shall fulfil all that he promised.

4If a woman vow any thing, and bind herself by an oath, being in her father's house, and but yet a girl in age: if her father knew the vow that she hath promised, and the oath wherewith she hath bound her soul, and held his peace, she shall be bound by the vow:

5Whatsoever she promised and swore, she shall fulfil in deed.

6But if her father, immediately as soon as he heard it, gainsaid it, both her vows and her oaths shall be void, neither shall she be bound to what she promised, because her father hath gainsaid it.

7If she have a husband, and shall vow any thing, and the word once going out of her mouth shall bind her soul by an oath,

8The day that her husband shall hear it, and not gainsay it, she shall be bound to the vow, and shall give whatsoever she promised.

9But if as soon as he heareth he gainsay it, and make her promises and the words wherewith she had bound her soul of no effect: the Lord will forgive her.

10The widow, and she that is divorced, shall fulfil whatsoever they vow.

11If the wife in the house of her husband, hath bound herself by vow and by oath,

12If her husband hear, and hold his peace, and doth not disallow the promise, she shall accomplish whatsoever she had promised.

13But if forthwith he gainsay it, she shall not be bound by the promise: because her husband gainsaid it, and the Lord will be merciful to her.

14If she vow and bind herself by oath, to afflict her soul by fasting, or abstinence from other things, it shall depend on the will of her husband, whether she shall do it, or not do it.

15But if the husband hearing it hold his peace, and defer the declaring his mind till another day: whatsoever she had vowed and promised, she shall fulfil: because immediately as he heard it, he held his peace.

16But if he gainsay it after that he knew it, he shall bear her iniquity.

17These are the laws which the Lord appointed to Moses between the husband and the wife, between the father and the daughter that is as yet but a girl in age, or that abideth in her father's house.

Reflection for Today

As you read Numbers Chapter 30, consider how God's Word speaks to your current situation. Every passage of Scripture has the power to transform our hearts and guide our lives when we approach it with an open mind and a prayerful spirit. The words you're reading today are not just ancient text—they are living and active, capable of speaking directly to your heart and circumstances. Take time to meditate on these verses and ask God to reveal His truth to you in a personal way. Remember that the same God who inspired these words is present with you now, ready to guide and comfort you through His Word.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings