If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. If a man vow a vow - A vow is a religious promise made to God. Vows were of several kinds: -
1. Of abstinence or humiliation, see Numbers 30:13;
2. Of the Nazarite, see Numbers 6;
3. Of giving certain things or sacrifices to the Lord, Leviticus 7:16;
4. Of alms given to the poor, see Deuteronomy 23:21.
The law in this chapter must have been very useful, as it both prevented and annulled rash vows, and provided a proper sanction for the support and performance of those that were rationally and piously made. Besides, this law must have acted as a great preventive of lying and hypocrisy. If a vow was properly made, a man or woman was bound, under penalty of the displeasure of God, to fulfill it.