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What does the Bible say about making a vow?

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The Bible teaches that vows made to God are serious promises and should be made truthfully, reverently, and fulfilled without delay. Numbers 30:2 and Deuteronomy 23:21-23 command God’s people to keep what they voluntarily promise, while Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 warns that it is better not to vow than to speak rashly and fail to pay. Jesus and James especially urge plain, dependable speech rather than careless oath-making in Matthew 5:33-37 and James 5:12. Scripture records vows such as Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 1:11, yet Jephthah’s tragic vow in Judges 11:30-31 cautions against impulsive promises. Christians should therefore trust God’s providence, speak honestly, and avoid binding their consciences beyond Scripture.

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Numbers 30:2

    When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

  • Deuteronomy 23:21-23

    [21] When you shall vow a vow to Yahweh your God, you shall not be slack to pay it: for Yahweh your God will surely require it of you; and it would be sin in you. [22] But if you shall forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in you. [23] That which is gone out of your lips you shall observe and do; according as you have vowed to Yahweh your God, a freewill-offering, which you have promised with your mouth.

  • Matthew 5:33-37

    [33] "Again you have heard that it was said to them of old time, 'You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,' [34] but I tell you, don't swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; [35] nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [36] Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black. [37] But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'no.' Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.

  • Acts 18:18

    Paul, having stayed after this many more days, took his leave of the brothers, and sailed from there for Syria, together with Priscilla and Aquila. He shaved his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.

  • James 5:12

    But above all things, my brothers, don't swear, neither by heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but let your "yes" be "yes," and your "no," "no;" so that you don't fall into hypocrisy.

  • Psalms 76:11

    Make vows to Yahweh your God, and fulfill them! Let all of his neighbors bring presents to him who is to be feared.

  • Numbers 30:1-2

    [1] Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which Yahweh has commanded. [2] When a man vows a vow to Yahweh, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.

  • 1 Samuel 1:11

    She vowed a vow, and said, Yahweh of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your handmaid, and remember me, and not forget your handmaid, but will give to your handmaid a man-child, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come on his head.

  • Ecclesiastes 5:4-6

    [4] When you vow a vow to God, don't defer to pay it; for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay that which you vow. [5] It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay. [6] Don't allow your mouth to lead you into sin. Don't protest before the messenger that this was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice, and destroy the work of your hands?

  • Judges 11:30-31

    [30] Jephthah vowed a vow to Yahweh, and said, If you will indeed deliver the children of Ammon into my hand, [31] then it shall be, that whatever comes forth from the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, it shall be Yahweh's, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering.

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