Deuteronomy 23:22
New International Version
But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.

New Living Translation
However, it is not a sin to refrain from making a vow.

English Standard Version
But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin.

Berean Standard Bible
But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin.

King James Bible
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

New King James Version
But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you.

New American Standard Bible
However, if you refrain from making vows, it will not be a sin for you.

NASB 1995
“However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you.

NASB 1977
“However, if you refrain from vowing, it would not be sin in you.

Legacy Standard Bible
However, if you refrain from vowing, it will not be a sin in you.

Amplified Bible
But if you refrain from making a vow, that would not be [counted as] sin in you.

Christian Standard Bible
But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But if you refrain from making a vow, it will not be counted against you as sin.

American Standard Version
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

Contemporary English Version
On the other hand, if you never make a sacred promise, you can't be guilty of breaking it.

English Revised Version
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you didn't make a vow, you would not be guilty.

Good News Translation
It is no sin not to make a vow to the LORD,

International Standard Version
But if you refrain from making a vow, then you won't be guilty.

Majority Standard Bible
But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin.

NET Bible
If you refrain from making a vow, it will not be sinful.

New Heart English Bible
But if you shall forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in you.

Webster's Bible Translation
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

World English Bible
But if you refrain from making a vow, it shall be no sin in you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when you refrain to vow, it is not sin in you.

Young's Literal Translation
'And when thou forbearest to vow, it is not in thee a sin.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if thou shalt cease to vow, it shall not be sin in thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If thou wilt not promise, thou shalt be without sin.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If you are not willing to make a promise, then it shall be without sin.

New American Bible
Should you refrain from making a vow, you will not be held guilty.

New Revised Standard Version
But if you refrain from vowing, you will not incur guilt.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But if you are unwilling to make a vow, then it shall be no sin in you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if you do not want to make a vow, no sin would be upon you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
But if thou shalt forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
But if thou shouldest be unwilling to vow, it is not sin in thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Miscellaneous Laws
21If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. 22But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. 23Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth.…

Cross References
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. / It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.

Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.

Matthew 5:33-37
Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ / But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ...

James 5:12
Above all, my brothers, do not swear, not by heaven or earth or by any other oath. Simply let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, so that you will not fall under judgment.

Psalm 50:14
Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

Proverbs 20:25
It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly, only later to reconsider his vows.

Leviticus 27:2-3
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘When someone makes a special vow to the LORD involving the value of persons, / if the valuation concerns a male from twenty to sixty years of age, then your valuation shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel.

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Acts 5:4
Did it not belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? How could you conceive such a deed in your heart? You have not lied to men, but to God!”

Psalm 66:13-14
I will enter Your house with burnt offerings; I will fulfill my vows to You— / the vows that my lips promised and my mouth spoke in my distress.

Jonah 2:9
But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the LORD!”

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

Genesis 28:20-22
Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, / so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the LORD will be my God. / And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”

2 Corinthians 9:7
Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.

Malachi 1:14
“But cursed is the deceiver who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but sacrifices a defective animal to the Lord. For I am a great King,” says the LORD of Hosts, “and My name is to be feared among the nations.


Treasury of Scripture

But if you shall forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in you.

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However Making Oath Refrain Sin Vow Vowing
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However Making Oath Refrain Sin Vow Vowing
Deuteronomy 23
1. Who may or may not enter into the congregation
9. Uncleanness is to be avoided in the host
15. Of the fugitive servant
17. Of filthiness
18. Of abominable sacrifices
19. Of usury
20. Of vows
24. Of trespass














But if you refrain
The phrase "But if you refrain" suggests a conscious decision to withhold or abstain from an action. In the Hebrew context, the word for "refrain" is often associated with a deliberate choice or self-control. This highlights the importance of intentionality in one's spiritual commitments. The act of refraining is not seen as a weakness but as a wise and prudent decision, especially when one is uncertain about fulfilling a vow. It underscores the value of thoughtful consideration before making promises to God.

from making a vow
A "vow" in the biblical sense is a solemn promise made to God, often in response to a blessing or a plea for divine intervention. The Hebrew term for vow, "neder," carries a weight of sacred obligation. In ancient Israel, vows were not taken lightly, as they were binding and required fulfillment. This phrase reminds believers of the seriousness of their words and commitments to God. It serves as a caution against rash promises, encouraging a deeper reflection on one's ability to fulfill such commitments.

you will not be guilty of sin
The assurance "you will not be guilty of sin" provides comfort and clarity. In the Hebrew tradition, sin, or "chattat," often denotes missing the mark or falling short of God's standards. By refraining from making a vow, one avoids the potential sin of breaking it. This reflects God's understanding and mercy, acknowledging human limitations and the potential for overcommitment. It emphasizes that God values integrity and honesty over empty promises, encouraging believers to live authentically and responsibly in their faith journey.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
But if
וְכִ֥י (wə·ḵî)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

you refrain
תֶחְדַּ֖ל (ṯeḥ·dal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2308: To be flabby, desist, be lacking, idle

from making a vow,
לִנְדֹּ֑ר (lin·dōr)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5087: To promise

you will not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be
יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

guilty of sin.
חֵֽטְא׃ (ḥêṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2399: A crime, its penalty


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 23:22 But if you shall forbear to vow (Deut. De Du)
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