In the biblical context, vows were solemn promises made to God, often accompanied by offerings or sacrifices. These vows were a significant aspect of the religious and spiritual life of the Israelites, reflecting their devotion, gratitude, or desire for divine intervention. The practice of making vows is deeply rooted in the Old Testament and is addressed in various passages, highlighting its importance and the seriousness with which it was regarded.

Old Testament Context

The concept of vows is first introduced in the Pentateuch, where the Israelites are instructed on the proper way to make and fulfill vows. In Numbers 30:2 , it is stated, "When 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." This underscores the binding nature of vows and the expectation that they be fulfilled without fail.

Vows were often made in times of distress or need, with the promise of a future offering or sacrifice upon the fulfillment of a request. For example, in Genesis 28:20-22 , Jacob makes a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and give me 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."

Types of Vows and Sacrifices

Vows could involve various types of offerings, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, and other sacrifices. Leviticus 7:16 mentions, "If, however, his offering is a vow or a freewill offering, it shall be eaten on the day he presents his sacrifice, and anything left over may be eaten on the next day." This indicates that vows could be voluntary and were often accompanied by specific sacrificial rituals.

The Nazirite vow, detailed in Numbers 6, is a notable example of a vow involving specific sacrifices. Those who took the Nazirite vow committed to abstaining from wine, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. Upon completion of the vow, they were required to present offerings, including a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering (Numbers 6:13-20).

Fulfillment and Consequences

The fulfillment of vows was taken very seriously, and failure to fulfill a vow was considered a grave offense. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 warns, "If 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 it will be counted against you as sin. But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin. Be careful to follow through on what comes from your lips, because you have freely vowed to the LORD your God with your own mouth."

The account of Jephthah in Judges 11:30-39 serves as a cautionary tale about the gravity of vows. Jephthah vowed to offer as a burnt offering whatever came out of the door of his house to meet him if he returned victorious from battle. Tragically, his daughter was the first to greet him, and he felt compelled to fulfill his vow, illustrating the potential consequences of rash vows.

New Testament Perspective

While the New Testament does not emphasize vows to the same extent as the Old Testament, the principle of integrity in speech and commitment remains. Jesus teaches in 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... Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For anything more comes from the evil one." This teaching encourages believers to be truthful and reliable without the need for vows or oaths.

In summary, vows in reference to offering sacrifices were a vital part of the covenant relationship between God and His people, reflecting their faith, devotion, and reliance on divine providence. The biblical narrative underscores the importance of making vows thoughtfully and fulfilling them faithfully, as an expression of one's commitment to God.Leviticus 7:16
But if the sacrifice of his offering be a vow, or a voluntary offering, it shall be eaten the same day that he offers his sacrifice: and on the morrow also the remainder of it shall be eaten:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Leviticus 22:18,22
Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, Whatever he be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers in Israel, that will offer his oblation for all his vows, and for all his freewill offerings, which they will offer to the LORD for a burnt offering;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 15:3
And will make an offering by fire to the LORD, a burnt offering, or a sacrifice in performing a vow, or in a freewill offering, or in your solemn feasts, to make a sweet smell to the LORD, of the herd or of the flock:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts XXI
... to Paul, were the Nazarite vows, with their ... for he announced propositions, on Pentecost,
which were inconsistent with ... his mind, and the Holy Spirit made to him ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxi.htm

Letter cii. (AD 409. )
... them, and utter petitions, offer sacrifices, and perform vows before them as ... eyes
for the gratification of base desires, were ordered to be made blind, this ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cii a d 409.htm

Scriptural Types.
... great congregation; I will pay my vows [vows in the ... sacredness of these solemn
sin-offerings made it necessary ... flesh; but inasmuch as they were typically laden ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Manner of Covenanting.
... in contemplation of the exercise of renewing their vows to God ... The covenant promise
made to them was, that God would ... of Job,"not as if that were of itself ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter ii manner of covenanting.htm

Covenanting Provided for in the Everlasting Covenant.
... that were wont to be presented when vows were paid: in ... of the import of the miracles
that were wrought by ... but also the sprinkling of blood that made atonement. ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter vi covenanting provided for.htm

'The Love of Thine Espousals'
... The vows which God approves are those of men whose ... The elders were probably seventy,
because that number is ... of Israel,' for that day's covenant had made him so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the love of thine espousals.htm

On Idolatry
... erect churches and altars, to make vows, to institute ... molten calf "anidol," and it
was made to represent ... 7:41.) The calves of Jeroboam were representations or ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 23 on idolatry.htm

Leviticus
... aspects of religion, though not prominent, were very far ... chapter a prohibition of
garments made of two ... regulations for the commutation of vows (whether persons ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/leviticus.htm

Footnotes
... Does this refer to the tradition that Constantine made out of ... His successors in the
see of London were to be ... with the two preceding are the three vows of the ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/footnotes.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... flock to the Holy City to pay their vows; and this ... but rather the confusion is such
as might be made by an ... that we may see Thy judgments;" and were it credible ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

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