Lexical Summary nadar: To vow, make a vow Original Word: נָדַר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make a vow A primitive root; to promise (pos., to do or give something to God) -- (make a) vow. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to vow NASB Translation made (7), make (3), make vows (1), makes (2), takes (1), vow (6), vowed (8), vowing (1), vows (2), you will vow (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָדַר verb vow (Late Hebrew id.; Phoenician נדר; "" form of נָזַר, q. v. ); — Qal Perfect3masculine singular ׳נ Psalm 132:2; 2 Samuel 15:8; נָדָ֑ר Judges 11:39; 3feminine singular נָדָ֑רה Numbers 30:11; 2masculine singular נָדַרְתָּ Genesis 31:13 5t. Perfect; Imperfect. 3 masculine singular יִדֹּר Numbers 6:21 5t.; 2 masculine singular תִּדֹּר Deuteronomy 12:17 4t., תִּדּוֺר Ecclesiastes 5:4 4t. Imperfect; Imperative plural נִדְרוּ Psalm 76:12; Infinitive לִנְדֹּר Numbers 6:2; Deuteronomy 23:23; Participle נֹדֵר Leviticus 27:8; Malachi 1:14; — vow a vow נָדַר נֶדֶר Genesis 28:20; Genesis 31:13 (both E), Numbers 21:2 (J), Numbers 6:2; Numbers 30:3; Numbers 30:4 (P), Judges 11:30; 1 Samuel 1:11; 2 Samuel 15:8,7; Isaiah 19:21; נֶדֶר omitted Leviticus 27:8; Numbers 30:11 (P); Deuteronomy 23:23; Psalm 76:12; Ecclesiastes 5:4 (twice in verse); with לְ towhom Numbers 6:21; Deuteronomy 23:24; Malachi 1:14; Psalm 132:2; Ecclesiastes 5:3; נֶדֶר אֲשֶׁר נָדַר vow which he vowed Deuteronomy 12:11,17; Deuteronomy 23:22 (twice in verse); Judges 11:39; Jeremiah 44:25; Jonah 1:16; compare אֲשֶׁר אֲשַׁלֵּ֑מָה ׳נ Jonah 2:10, אֵת אֲשֶׁר תִּדֹּר שַׁלֵּם Ecclesiastes 5:3. Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope נָדַר (nadar) is the principal Hebrew verb for making a vow, that is, freely binding oneself by spoken promise to perform or abstain from some specific act before the LORD. A vow differs from an oath in that it is directed exclusively to God and is voluntary, yet once uttered it places the worshiper under divine obligation. Occurrence and Distribution The verb appears about thirty-one times, concentrated in four main blocks: the patriarchal narratives (Genesis), the Sinai and wilderness legislation (Numbers–Deuteronomy), historical accounts of the Judges and the monarchy, and Israel’s poetry and wisdom literature, especially the Psalms and Job. By book: Genesis (2), Numbers (11), Deuteronomy (1), Judges (2), 1 Samuel (2), 2 Samuel (2), Job (1), Psalms (6), and Jonah (2). Each cluster advances the unfolding biblical theology of voluntary commitment to God. Theological Foundations of Vowing 1. Worship as response: Vows are prompted by the worshiper’s awareness of divine grace or urgent need. Jacob “made a vow” at Bethel after receiving the covenant dream (Genesis 28:20-22). Representative Old Testament Passages • Genesis 28:20-21 – Jacob vows tithes and allegiance if God will keep and return him. Conditions and Fulfillment Numbers 30 provides the most detailed legislation. Voluntary Character Vows are never commanded. The worshiper may choose whether to vow, but once made, payment is compulsory (Deuteronomy 23:22-23). Thus, vows test sincerity: “Offer thanksgiving to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High” (Psalm 50:14). Warnings Against Rash Vows Narratives like Jephthah (Judges 11) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15) illustrate the peril of impulsive promises. Wisdom literature echoes the caution: “Do not be quick with your mouth… Let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2-5). Institutional Context: Nazariteship and Levitical Service The Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) exemplifies personal consecration, including abstention from grape products, avoidance of corpse defilement, and the symbolic shaving of hair. Similarly, Hannah’s vow leads to Samuel’s lifelong Levitical ministry, reinforcing the pattern that vows often advance God’s redemptive purposes. Covenantal and Redemptive Significance Vows serve as micro-covenants, reflecting the larger covenant ethos: God binds Himself by promise, and His people mirror that fidelity through voluntary commitments. Fulfilled vows become testimonies of divine faithfulness (Psalm 65:1), while broken vows invite judgment (Malachi 1:14). Prophetic and Poetic Usage Psalms frequently link vows with public thanksgiving (Psalm 22:25; 116:14). Prophets use the imagery to anticipate eschatological worship: “Every survivor… will bring offerings and vows to the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 19:21, cf. Zephaniah 3:10). Practical Ministry Applications 1. Integrity in speech: Pastors and leaders can underscore the biblical call to truth-telling and faithful follow-through (Matthew 5:33-37). New Testament Continuity Although the specific Hebrew term is absent, the practice persists. Paul “had taken a vow” (Acts 18:18), and the Jerusalem elders advise similar actions (Acts 21:23-24). Christ deepens the ethic by urging transparent speech that makes elaborate vows unnecessary, yet does not annul legitimate, God-honoring commitments. Summary נָדַר underscores the seriousness of words spoken before God. Scripture portrays vows as voluntary yet inviolable expressions of devotion, woven into Israel’s worship, national life, and personal piety. Properly understood and faithfully fulfilled, they honor the God who Himself never breaks His promises. Forms and Transliterations הַנֹּדֵ֔ר הנדר וְנָדְרוּ־ וְנֹדֵ֛ר וַֽיִּדְּר֖וּ וַיִּדַּ֥ר וַיִּדַּ֨ר וַתִּדֹּ֨ר וידר וידרו ונדר ונדרו־ ותדר יִדֹּ֔ר יִדֹּ֨ר יִדֹּר֒ ידר לִנְדֹּ֑ר לִנְדֹּר֙ לנדר מִשֶּׁתִּדּ֖וֹר משתדור נִֽדֲר֣וּ נָ֝דַ֗ר נָדַ֖רְתִּי נָדַ֙רְנוּ֙ נָדַ֜רְתָּ נָדַ֣ר נָדַ֥רְתִּי נָדַ֥רְתָּ נָדָ֑ר נָדָ֑רָה נדר נדרה נדרו נדרנו נדרת נדרתי תִּדְּר֖וּ תִּדֹּ֔ר תִּדֹּ֖ר תִּדֹּ֨ר תִדֹּ֑ר תִדֹּ֥ר תדר תדרו han·nō·ḏêr hannoDer hannōḏêr lin·dōr linDor lindōr miš·šet·tid·dō·wr mishshettidDor miššettiddōwr nā·ḏā·rāh nā·ḏar nā·ḏār nā·ḏar·nū nā·ḏar·tā nā·ḏar·tî naDar nāḏar nāḏār naDarah nāḏārāh naDarnu nāḏarnū naDarta nāḏartā naDarti nāḏartî ni·ḏă·rū nidaRu niḏărū tid·də·rū tid·dōr ṯid·dōr tiddeRu tiddərū tidDor tiddōr ṯiddōr vaiyidDar vaiyiddeRu vattidDor venaderu venoDer wat·tid·dōr wattiddōr way·yid·dar way·yid·də·rū wayyiddar wayyiddərū wə·nā·ḏə·rū- wə·nō·ḏêr wənāḏərū- wənōḏêr yid·dōr yidDor yiddōrLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 28:20 HEB: וַיִּדַּ֥ר יַעֲקֹ֖ב נֶ֣דֶר NAS: Then Jacob made a vow, saying, KJV: And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, INT: made Jacob A vow Genesis 31:13 Leviticus 27:8 Numbers 6:2 Numbers 6:21 Numbers 6:21 Numbers 21:2 Numbers 30:2 Numbers 30:3 Numbers 30:10 Deuteronomy 12:11 Deuteronomy 12:17 Deuteronomy 23:21 Deuteronomy 23:22 Deuteronomy 23:23 Judges 11:30 Judges 11:39 1 Samuel 1:11 2 Samuel 15:7 2 Samuel 15:8 Psalm 76:11 Psalm 132:2 Ecclesiastes 5:4 Ecclesiastes 5:4 Ecclesiastes 5:5 31 Occurrences |
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