Vows: To swear or not to swear

Several Hebrew words are associated with the formula for dealing with vows:

OT:5087 adar (naw-dar'); a primitive root; to promise (pos., to do or give something to Elohim): [this word is used 31 times on OT]

                2 If a man vow a vow unto YHWH, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. Num 30:2

OT:5088 neder (neh'-der); or neder (nay'-der); from OT:5087; a promise (to Elohim); also (concretely) a thing promised: [used 60 times in OT]

                30 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto YHWH, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, 31 Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be YHWH's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.  Judg 11:30-31

OT:7650 shaba` (shaw-bah'); a primitive root; propr. to be complete, but used only as a denominative from OT:7651; to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times): [used 187 times in OT]

                18 And thou shalt do that which is right and good in the sight of YHWH: that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest go in and possess the good land which YHWH sware unto thy fathers, Deut 6:18

OT:7651 sheba` (sheh'-bah); or (masculine) shib` ah (shib-aw'); from OT:7650; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number:

                Why would the number # 7 be used within the policy for making vows?

The Torah is composed of laws and decrees or statutes that deal with particular issues. The making of vows or promises is a part of Torah and just like many of the other topics it has it’s own set of guidelines. In other words, through the Torah, YHWH gives us the directions/guidelines or expectations when a person makes a vow or a promise.

One of the things that we must remember is that all issues or subjects contained within Torah has it’s own set of consequences if they are broken or not obeyed. Therefore we must never make any promises or make vows in haste. A fool makes a vow in haste but a Wiseman ponders the consequences. 

Purpose: One of the reasons that YHWH instituted the policy for making vows is undoubtedly to set a standard for honest dealings by his people. What could be other reasons?

We already read that when a man makes a vow he is keep it no matter what; Deut 6:13 tells us that we are to fear YHWH and to swear by his name: Why would YHWH want us to swear by his Name?

                13 Thou shalt fear YHWH thy Elohim, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.

The scriptures inform us that vows could be made for just about anything, essentially they were voluntary but once made you could not take it back. You had to perform your vow or you would be guilty of sin.

                 "'Or if a person thoughtlessly takes an oath to do anything, whether good or evil--in any matter one might carelessly swear about--even though he is unaware of it, in any case when he learns of it he will be guilty. 5 "'When anyone is guilty in any of these ways, he must confess in what way he has sinned 6 and, as a penalty for the sin he has committed, he must bring to YHWH a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him for his sin. Lev 5:4-6

 It was customary for Yisraelites to make vows for animal sacrifices and other offerings to YHWH, for dealings in lands or in weddings etc. In each and every case the vows had to be performed. However there are times when vows could be released.

 A young woman living in her father’s house: 3 "When a young woman still living in her father's house makes a vow to YHWH or obligates herself by a pledge 4 and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand. 5 But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; YHWH will release her because her father has forbidden her.  Num 30:3-5

A married woman: 6 "If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself 7 and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand. 8 But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and YHWH will release her.  Num 30:3-8

 Widows or divorced women were obligated to keep their vows: "Any vow or obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her. Num 30: 9

 Question: Did Yahshua do away with the making of vows? 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to YHWH.' 34 But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is Elohim's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 37 Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matt 5:33-37

 Answer: No! he was admonishing them because they had adopted unscriptural ways of making vows; essentially they had developed their own ways of making vows and thus they were breaking YHWH’s word.

Question: Did Yahshua institute a new policy when he said that you might as well not make a vow? (just say Yes or NO)

Answer: No! Yahshua was reminding them that vows were voluntary not mandatory and that they were better off avoiding a vow and not sin then to make a vow in an unscriptural way.  

                21 When thou shalt vow a vow unto YHWH thy Elohim, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for YHWH thy Elohim will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee. 22 But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee. Deut 23:21-23

 Hebrew Lesson:                               

Shema Yisrael, YHWH Eloheynu, YHWH Echad,

Hear O’ Israel, Yahweh our Elohim, Yahweh is One.

Baruch Sheim K’vod Malkhuto L’olam Va’ed

Blessed be the Name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever.

Torah School: Shalom Assembly of YHWH