Vows:
A vow is a solemn promise made to God to perform or to abstain from performing a certain thing. The earliest mention of a vow is that of Jacob (Genesis 28:18-22; 31:13). Vows in general are also mentioned in the book of Job (Job 22:27). The law therefore did not introduce, but regulated the practice of, vows. Three sorts are mentioned:
1, Vows of devotion;
2, Vows of abstinence;
3, Vows of destruction.
(1.) As to vows of devotion, the following rules are laid down: A man might devote to sacred uses possessions or persons, but not the first‐born of either man or beast, which was devoted already (Leviticus 27:28).
(a). If he vowed land, he might either redeem it or not Leviticus 25, 27.
(b). Animals fit for sacrifice if devoted, were not to be redeemed or changed (Leviticus 27:9-10, 33) persons devoted stood thus: devote either himself, his child (not the first‐born) or his slave. If no redemption took place, the devoted person became a slave of the sanctuary: see the case of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:8). Otherwise he might be redeemed at a valuation according to age and sex, on the scale given in Leviticus 27:1-7. Among general regulations affecting vows the following may be mentioned:
(1). Vows were entirely voluntary but once made were regarded as compulsory (Numbers 30:2; 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4).
(2). If persons in a dependent condition made vows as
(a). an unmarried daughter living in her father's house, or
(b). a wife, even if she afterward became a widow, the vow, if
(a). in the first case her father, or
(b). in the second her husband, heard and disallowed it, was void; but, if they heard without disallowance, it was to remain good (Numbers 30:3-15).
(3). Votive offerings arising from the produce of any impure traffic were wholly forbidden (Deuteronomy 23:18).
(2.) For vows of abstinence, SEE [CORBAN].
(3.) For vows of extermination SEE [ANATHEMA]. (Ezra 10:8; Micah 4:13). It seems that the practice of shaving the head at the expiration of a votive period was not limited to the Nazaritic vow (Acts 18:18; 21:24).
The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.
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