Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 30:5

But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

5. disallow her ] lit. ‘oppose her,’ express disapproval.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

The Lord shall forgive her – i. e., shall remit the obligation. (Compare 2Ki 5:18.)

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

In the day that he heareth, i.e. speedily, or without delay, allowing only necessary and convenient time for deliberation. And it is hereby intimated, that the day or time he had for disallowing her vow was not to be reckoned from her vowing, but from his hearing or knowledge of her vow.

Shall forgive her; or, will forgive either her rashness of making such vows, or rather her not performing of it. But this is to be understood only of such vows which could not be performed without invading the fathers or superiors right; for if one should vow to forbear such or such a sin, and all unnecessary occasions or means leading to it, and to perform such or such duties, when he had opportunity, no father nor superior can discharge him from such vows.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth,…. Disapproves of her vow, and expresses his dislike of it, and declares it null and void; which, if done at all, is to be done on the same day he hears it, and not on another day, as Aben Ezra observes; not the day following, and much less on a third or fourth day, c. and it might be done on a sabbath day u:

not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she bound her soul,

shall stand but become null and void, she being at the control of her father, and having nothing in her own power, and at her own disposal, to vow or consecrate, but wholly in the power and at the disposal of her father:

and the Lord shall forgive her; the breach of her vow, it shall not be imputed to her as a sin:

because her father disallowed her; so that it was no fault of hers that it was not fulfilled; though she might be blameworthy to make one, without previously obtaining his consent, and making it rashly without his previous knowledge, she not being at her own hands; and in this respect may be said to be forgiven by the Lord, which supposes some fault committed.

u Misn. Sabbat, c. 24. sect. 5.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

5. But if her father disallow her. The expression is remarkable, “And the Lord shall forgive her,” whereby Moses gently reproves the foolish thoughtlessness of the girl; and soon afterwards the same thing is spoken of married women. And surely their rashness is worthy of reprehension, if unmindful of their condition, they, as it were, shake off the yoke and hastily commit themselves. God therefore hints that they are not without blame; but lest they should be tormented by secret remorse, He removes every scruple, declaring that He will forgive, if the performance of the vow shall have been prevented in any other quarter. When the dissent of the father or the husband is required on the same day, it is tantamount to saying that what they have once approved of cannot be disallowed. Further, to “hold his peace” to a wife or daughter, signifies that he does not oppose, but give by silence a token of consent.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

(5) The Lord shall forgive heri.e., she would not incur the guilt or punishment which would otherwise have been incurred by neglecting to fulfil the vow which she had made.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

Num 30:5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and the LORD shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her.

Ver. 5. But if her father disallow her. ] Those that vow monastical obedience renounce all duty to their parents and service to their country. Parents are our Y , as a heathen said, our household gods, as it were; and have power to disannul or ratify the vows of their children: but the Papists are true heirs to the Pharisees, who taught not to honour father or mother, Mat 15:6 and so do “make the commandment of God of none effect by their tradition.” “Full well” have they done it. Mar 7:9 But what cannot they do? The Pope, saith Cardinal Bellarmine, a potest de iniustitia facere iustitiam, ex nihilo aliquid, ex virtute vitium; he can make righteousness of unrighteousness, something of nothing, vice of virtue; and it seems so indeed by his practice. For when the cardinals meet to choose a Pope, they make a vow, whosoever is chosen, he shall swear to such articles as they make. And Sleidan saith, b the Pope is no sooner chosen, but he breaks them all, and checks their insolencies, as if they went about to limit his power, to whom all power is given both in heaven and earth.

a Lib. iv., De Pontif. Rom.

b Sleidan, Com.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)