Vows: Belonged to the Priests
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In the biblical context, vows hold significant spiritual and religious importance, often representing a solemn promise or commitment made to God. The concept of vows is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where they are frequently associated with acts of devotion, thanksgiving, or supplication. Vows were considered sacred and binding, and their fulfillment was a matter of religious duty.

Biblical Foundation

The practice of making vows is well-documented in the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, vows were often made in times of distress or as expressions of gratitude. For instance, Jacob made a vow at Bethel, promising that if God would be with him and provide for him, he would dedicate a tenth of all he received to God (Genesis 28:20-22). Similarly, Hannah vowed that if God granted her a son, she would dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life (1 Samuel 1:11).

Vows and the Priests

The Levitical priests played a crucial role in the administration and fulfillment of vows. According to the Mosaic Law, certain vows involved offerings or sacrifices that were to be presented at the Tabernacle or Temple, where the priests officiated. Leviticus 27 provides detailed instructions regarding vows, particularly those involving the dedication of persons, animals, or property to the Lord. The priests were responsible for assessing the value of these dedications and ensuring that the terms of the vow were met.

Leviticus 27:2-8 outlines the procedure for making a vow involving the dedication of persons, with specific valuations assigned based on age and gender. The priests were tasked with determining the appropriate valuation and facilitating the fulfillment of the vow. This underscores the priestly role as mediators between the people and God, ensuring that vows were honored in accordance with divine law.

Types of Vows

Vows could take various forms, including:

1. Nazarite Vows: A special type of vow described in Numbers 6, where an individual would consecrate themselves to the Lord for a specific period. This vow involved abstaining from wine, avoiding contact with the dead, and not cutting one's hair. The priests were involved in the rituals associated with the completion of a Nazarite vow, including the offering of sacrifices.

2. Votive Offerings: These were offerings made in fulfillment of a vow. Leviticus 7:16 mentions the "votive offering," which was to be eaten on the day it was offered, with any leftovers consumed the next day. The priests were responsible for overseeing these offerings and ensuring they were conducted properly.

3. Dedication of Property: As outlined in Leviticus 27, individuals could vow property or possessions to the Lord. The priests would assess the value and manage the redemption process if the individual wished to reclaim the property.

Theological Significance

Vows were not to be taken lightly, as they represented a binding commitment to God. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns, "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." This highlights the seriousness with which vows were regarded and the expectation of integrity in one's relationship with God.

In the New Testament, while the emphasis on vows shifts, the principle of integrity and faithfulness in one's commitments remains. Jesus teaches in Matthew 5:33-37 about the importance of honesty and straightforwardness, encouraging believers to let their "Yes" be "Yes," and their "No," "No," without the need for elaborate vows.

Conclusion

The practice of making vows in the biblical tradition underscores the depth of commitment and devotion expected of the faithful. The involvement of the priests in the administration of vows highlights their role as spiritual leaders and mediators, ensuring that the sacred promises made to God were honored and fulfilled in accordance with His commandments.
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Numbers 18:14
Every thing devoted in Israel shall be yours.
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Library

Scriptural Types.
... My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation; I will pay my vows [vows in
the ... (2.) The waving and heaving of offerings belonged to the priests alone ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the ...
... reason for this decree was, that the priests were wont ... ever deriving any benefit
from that which belonged to him. ... It cannot be denied that such vows, in regard ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxxi the cavils of.htm

Article xxvii (xiii): of Monastic Vows.
... Perfection would have belonged to that young man if he ... In monastic vows chastity
is promised. ... said above, however, concerning the marriage of priests, that the ...
/.../the apology of the augsburg confession/part 35 article xxvii xiii .htm

A New Order of Priests and Levites
... Though all Israel belonged to God, yet the tribe of ... But priests and Levites had two
works to do: something ... to the general ordinances, or to any special vows. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/a new order of priests.htm

Woes on the Pharisees
... Such a title, He declared, belonged not to ... that sanctifieth the gift?" The priests
interpreted God's ... money consideration they excused persons from their vows. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 67 woes on the.htm

National Privileges
... High- priest, who should teach all priests to explain ... grave we might see that we
belonged, as sworn ... to excuse yourselves from your confirmation vows, by saying ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxii national privileges.htm

The Little Flower Enters the Carmel
... tenderness, and, in presence of all the Priests, spoke of my ... my too eager desire
to take my vows was mingled with much self-love; as I belonged to Our ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter vii the little flower.htm

the Little Flower Enters the Carmel
... tenderness, and, in presence of all the Priests, spoke of my ... my too eager desire
to take my vows was mingled with much self-love; as I belonged to Our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/chapter vii - the little.htm

Letter cviii. To Eustochium.
... Eustochium alone, the partner alike of her vows and of ... the gospel, of the savagery
of the priests and Levites ... are of noble birth while others belonged to the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cviii to eustochium.htm

In Jerusalem when Herod Reigned
... speech; Jud??ans and Jerusalemites; white-robed Priests and Levites ... had come to worship;
others to pay vows, or bring ... on the Temple Mount, which belonged to the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i in jerusalem when.htm

Resources
Is the Catholic concept of a nun biblical? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian wedding be different from a non-Christian wedding? | GotQuestions.org

What is a religious order? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Vows

Vows of a Field

Vows of Absalom

Vows of Ananias and Sapphira, in the Dedication of the Proceeds of the Sale of Their Land

Vows of Certain Jews With Paul

Vows of Children Void Without the Consent of Parents

Vows of David

Vows of Elkanah

Vows of Hannah

Vows of Hannah, to Consecrate to the Lord the Child for Which She Prayed

Vows of Israelites

Vows of Jacob

Vows of Jephthah

Vows of Job, not to Entertain Thoughts of Fornication

Vows of Jonah

Vows of Lemuel's Mother

Vows of Mariners Who Cast out Jonah

Vows of Married Women Void Without Consent of Husbands

Vows of Paul

Vows of the Jews, to Kill Paul

Vows of the Mother of Micah, in the Dedication of Silver for the Making of an Idol

Vows of Things Corrupt or Blemished an Insult to God

Vows of Widows and Women Divorced from Their Husbands Binding

Vows of Wives, Could Only be Objected to at the Time of Making

Vows were Made in Reference to Afflicting the Soul

Vows were Made in Reference to Dedicating Children to God

Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting Property to God

Vows were Made in Reference to Devoting the Person to God

Vows were Made in Reference to Offering Sacrifices

Vows: A Minor, of Himself

Vows: All Things Dedicated By, to be Brought to the Tabernacle

Vows: Belonged to the Priests

Vows: Clean Beasts the Subjects of, not to be Redeemed

Vows: Danger of Inconsiderately Making

Vows: Edible Things offered In, to be Eaten the Same Day They Were offered

Vows: Estimation of the Redemption Price of Things offered in Vows

Vows: Might be Redeemed by Paying a Suitable Compensation

Vows: Mosaic Laws Concerning

Vows: Rash by Jephthah

Vows: Rash: The Israelites, to Destroy the Benjamites

Vows: Solemn Promises Made to God

Vows: The Hire of a Prostitute or Price of a Dog Could not be The

Vows: The Redemption Price of the offering of Real Estate, to be Valued by the Priest

Vows: Things Forbidden to be offered in Receipts of the Whore and the Price of a "Dog"

Vows: Things offered In, to be Brought to the Tabernacle or Temple

Vows: To be Performed Faithfully

Vows: To be Performed Without Delay

Vows: To be Voluntary

Vows: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To

Related Terms

Votive (13 Occurrences)

Obligation (17 Occurrences)

Freewill (27 Occurrences)

Pledges (15 Occurrences)

Vowed (34 Occurrences)

Obligated (9 Occurrences)

Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences)

Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences)

Vow (49 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Established (200 Occurrences)

Bond (32 Occurrences)

Libations (29 Occurrences)

Obligations (10 Occurrences)

Drink-offerings (31 Occurrences)

Fulfill (80 Occurrences)

Silent (120 Occurrences)

Bonds (46 Occurrences)

Herself (121 Occurrences)

Presents (38 Occurrences)

Entirely (39 Occurrences)

Accomplish (44 Occurrences)

Confirm (39 Occurrences)

Voluntary-offerings (4 Occurrences)

Obligates (4 Occurrences)

Free-will (9 Occurrences)

Tithes (23 Occurrences)

Rash (18 Occurrences)

Religious (13 Occurrences)

Disallowed (7 Occurrences)

Disallow (3 Occurrences)

Perform (155 Occurrences)

Prohibited (2 Occurrences)

Propitious (12 Occurrences)

Proceeds (20 Occurrences)

Pardon (31 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Voluntary (17 Occurrences)

Binding (23 Occurrences)

Wherewith (182 Occurrences)

Follows (65 Occurrences)

Actions (62 Occurrences)

Besides (178 Occurrences)

Lips (199 Occurrences)

Praises (66 Occurrences)

Special (89 Occurrences)

Contribution (24 Occurrences)

Execute (83 Occurrences)

Holds (67 Occurrences)

Wave (65 Occurrences)

Mouths (86 Occurrences)

Bound (175 Occurrences)

Break (257 Occurrences)

Forgive (81 Occurrences)

Voyage (5 Occurrences)

Separation (50 Occurrences)

Due (93 Occurrences)

Bind (68 Occurrences)

Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)

Release (61 Occurrences)

Burnt-offerings (86 Occurrences)

Ahead (98 Occurrences)

Beside (326 Occurrences)

Thank (68 Occurrences)

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)

Hears (78 Occurrences)

Sacrifices (186 Occurrences)

Relationships (1 Occurrence)

Heareth (137 Occurrences)

Leviticus (1 Occurrence)

Queen (59 Occurrences)

Gifts (144 Occurrences)

Vowing (4 Occurrences)

Violate (14 Occurrences)

Vowest (3 Occurrences)

Kine (24 Occurrences)

Nun (31 Occurrences)

Null (4 Occurrences)

Vows: All Things Dedicated By, to be Brought to the Tabernacle
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