Numbers 30:4

Amharic New Standard Translation (አማርኛ አዲሱ መደበኛ ትርጉም) 2005

አባትዋ ስለዚህ ጉዳይ ሰምቶ ካልተቃወማት በቀር ስእለትዋን ወይም የገባችውን ቃል መፈጸም አለባት።

What Does This Mean?

This verse talks about a young woman's vow to God, which her father can either approve or disapprove. If her father hears the vow and doesn't say anything, then her vow stands and she must keep it.

Explained for Children

Imagine you promised to clean your room. If your dad hears you and doesn't say anything, it's like he's saying, 'Okay, you promised, so you have to do it.' It's the same for this verse, but the promise is to God.

Historical Background

The Book of Numbers was written by Moses around 1400 BC. This section deals with the laws and customs of the Israelites, particularly about vows and the role of fathers in approving them.

Living It Out Today

Today, if someone promises to do something important (like a commitment to a charity), and their family member listens and doesn't object, that person should stick to their word, just like the young woman in the verse.

Topics

• vows
• commitments
• family roles
• obligation
• promise-keeping
• laws

Related Verses

• Leviticus 27:2
• Psalm 15:4
• Ecclesiastes 5:4-5
• Matthew 5:33-37
• James 5:12

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a father approve a vow silently?

Yes, the verse indicates that if a father hears his daughter's vow and remains silent, he is approving it by default. This means the daughter must keep her vow.

What if the father disapproves?

If the father disapproves, the verse implies that the vow made by the daughter is not binding, and she is not obligated to fulfill it.

Does this apply to sons as well?

The verse specifically mentions daughters, but similar principles often applied to sons as well, especially under their father's authority in ancient Israelite culture.

Is there any modern equivalent to this practice?

While not exactly the same, modern equivalents might include parental approval for significant commitments or decisions made by their children.