Lexical Summary
nadar: To vow, make a vow
Original Word:נָדַר
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:nadar
Pronunciation:naw-dar'
Phonetic Spelling:(naw-dar')
KJV: (make a) vow
NASB:vowed, made, vow, make, makes, vows, make vows
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to promise (pos., to do or give something to God)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
make a vow
A primitive root; to promise (pos., to do or give something to God) -- (make a) vow.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origina prim. root
Definitionto vow
NASB Translationmade (7), make (3), make vows (1), makes (2), takes (1), vow (6), vowed (8), vowing (1), vows (2), you will vow (1).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
(Late Hebrew
id.; Phoenician ; "" form of , q. v. ); —
Perfect3masculine singularPsalm 132:2;2 Samuel 15:8;Judges 11:39; 3feminine singularNumbers 30:11; 2masculine singularGenesis 31:13 5t. Perfect;Imperfect. 3 masculine singularNumbers 6:21 5t.; 2 masculine singularDeuteronomy 12:17 4t.,Ecclesiastes 5:4 4t. Imperfect;Imperative pluralPsalm 76:12;InfinitiveNumbers 6:2;Deuteronomy 23:23; ParticipleLeviticus 27:8;Malachi 1:14; —vow a vowGenesis 28:20;Genesis 31:13 (both E),Numbers 21:2 (J),Numbers 6:2;Numbers 30:3;Numbers 30:4 (P),Judges 11:30;1 Samuel 1:11;2 Samuel 15:8,7;Isaiah 19:21; omittedLeviticus 27:8;Numbers 30:11 (P);Deuteronomy 23:23;Psalm 76:12;Ecclesiastes 5:4 (twice in verse); withtowhomNumbers 6:21;Deuteronomy 23:24;Malachi 1:14;Psalm 132:2;Ecclesiastes 5:3;vow which he vowedDeuteronomy 12:11,17;Deuteronomy 23:22 (twice in verse);Judges 11:39;Jeremiah 44:25;Jonah 1:16; compareJonah 2:10,Ecclesiastes 5:3.
Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Scopeנָדַר (nadar) is the principal Hebrew verb for making a vow, that is, freely binding oneself by spoken promise to perform or abstain from some specific act before the LORD. A vow differs from an oath in that it is directed exclusively to God and is voluntary, yet once uttered it places the worshiper under divine obligation.
Occurrence and Distribution
The verb appears about thirty-one times, concentrated in four main blocks: the patriarchal narratives (Genesis), the Sinai and wilderness legislation (Numbers–Deuteronomy), historical accounts of the Judges and the monarchy, and Israel’s poetry and wisdom literature, especially the Psalms and Job. By book: Genesis (2), Numbers (11), Deuteronomy (1), Judges (2), 1 Samuel (2), 2 Samuel (2), Job (1), Psalms (6), and Jonah (2). Each cluster advances the unfolding biblical theology of voluntary commitment to God.
Theological Foundations of Vowing
1. Worship as response: Vows are prompted by the worshiper’s awareness of divine grace or urgent need. Jacob “made a vow” at Bethel after receiving the covenant dream (Genesis 28:20-22).
2. Sovereign ownership: By vowing, the speaker acknowledges God’s total right to one’s life and possessions (Numbers 6:2; 21:2).
3. Holiness and fear: Fulfilling a vow is non-negotiable because God’s holiness guards the sanctity of spoken words (Deuteronomy 23:23;Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
Representative Old Testament Passages
•Genesis 28:20-21 – Jacob vows tithes and allegiance if God will keep and return him.
•Numbers 6:2 – “When a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD…”
•Numbers 21:2 – Israel vows total destruction of the Canaanite cities if granted victory.
•Judges 11:30-31 – Jephthah’s tragic vow underscores the danger of rash speech.
•1 Samuel 1:11 – Hannah vows that her long-desired son will serve at Shiloh “all the days of his life.”
•2 Samuel 15:7-8 – Absalom uses an unfulfilled vow as pretext for rebellion.
•Jonah 1:16; 2:9 – Pagan sailors and the prophet himself “vow” sacrifices after experiencing deliverance.
•Psalm 61:5 – “For You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.”
Conditions and Fulfillment
Numbers 30 provides the most detailed legislation.
• Binding nature: “When a man makes a vow to the LORD… he must not break his word” (Numbers 30:2).
• Female vows: Fathers or husbands could annul a daughter’s or wife’s vow on the day they heard it (Numbers 30:3-16), safeguarding family order without belittling female piety (cf. Hannah in1 Samuel 1).
• Monetary valuation:Leviticus 27 (using the related noun neder) sets redemption prices so that worship does not degenerate into manipulation or poverty.
Voluntary Character
Vows are never commanded. The worshiper may choose whether to vow, but once made, payment is compulsory (Deuteronomy 23:22-23). Thus, vows test sincerity: “Offer thanksgiving to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High” (Psalm 50:14).
Warnings Against Rash Vows
Narratives like Jephthah (Judges 11) and Absalom (2 Samuel 15) illustrate the peril of impulsive promises. Wisdom literature echoes the caution: “Do not be quick with your mouth… Let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2-5).
Institutional Context: Nazariteship and Levitical Service
The Nazirite vow (Numbers 6) exemplifies personal consecration, including abstention from grape products, avoidance of corpse defilement, and the symbolic shaving of hair. Similarly, Hannah’s vow leads to Samuel’s lifelong Levitical ministry, reinforcing the pattern that vows often advance God’s redemptive purposes.
Covenantal and Redemptive Significance
Vows serve as micro-covenants, reflecting the larger covenant ethos: God binds Himself by promise, and His people mirror that fidelity through voluntary commitments. Fulfilled vows become testimonies of divine faithfulness (Psalm 65:1), while broken vows invite judgment (Malachi 1:14).
Prophetic and Poetic Usage
Psalms frequently link vows with public thanksgiving (Psalm 22:25; 116:14). Prophets use the imagery to anticipate eschatological worship: “Every survivor… will bring offerings and vows to the LORD of Hosts in Jerusalem” (Isaiah 19:21, cf.Zephaniah 3:10).
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Integrity in speech: Pastors and leaders can underscore the biblical call to truth-telling and faithful follow-through (Matthew 5:33-37).
2. Stewardship: Financial pledges, mission commitments, and marriage covenants echo the vow motif and require timely fulfillment.
3. Counseling: Teach discernment before making commitments; encourage repentance and restitution where vows have been neglected.
New Testament Continuity
Although the specific Hebrew term is absent, the practice persists. Paul “had taken a vow” (Acts 18:18), and the Jerusalem elders advise similar actions (Acts 21:23-24). Christ deepens the ethic by urging transparent speech that makes elaborate vows unnecessary, yet does not annul legitimate, God-honoring commitments.
Summary
נָדַר underscores the seriousness of words spoken before God. Scripture portrays vows as voluntary yet inviolable expressions of devotion, woven into Israel’s worship, national life, and personal piety. Properly understood and faithfully fulfilled, they honor the God who Himself never breaks His promises.
Forms and Transliterations
הַנֹּדֵ֔ר הנדר וְנָדְרוּ־ וְנֹדֵ֛ר וַֽיִּדְּר֖וּ וַיִּדַּ֥ר וַיִּדַּ֨ר וַתִּדֹּ֨ר וידר וידרו ונדר ונדרו־ ותדר יִדֹּ֔ר יִדֹּ֨ר יִדֹּר֒ ידר לִנְדֹּ֑ר לִנְדֹּר֙ לנדר מִשֶּׁתִּדּ֖וֹר משתדור נִֽדֲר֣וּ נָ֝דַ֗ר נָדַ֖רְתִּי נָדַ֙רְנוּ֙ נָדַ֜רְתָּ נָדַ֣ר נָדַ֥רְתִּי נָדַ֥רְתָּ נָדָ֑ר נָדָ֑רָה נדר נדרה נדרו נדרנו נדרת נדרתי תִּדְּר֖וּ תִּדֹּ֔ר תִּדֹּ֖ר תִּדֹּ֨ר תִדֹּ֑ר תִדֹּ֥ר תדר תדרו han·nō·ḏêr hannoDer hannōḏêr lin·dōr linDor lindōr miš·šet·tid·dō·wr mishshettidDor miššettiddōwr nā·ḏā·rāh nā·ḏar nā·ḏār nā·ḏar·nū nā·ḏar·tā nā·ḏar·tî naDar nāḏar nāḏār naDarah nāḏārāh naDarnu nāḏarnū naDarta nāḏartā naDarti nāḏartî ni·ḏă·rū nidaRu niḏărū tid·də·rū tid·dōr ṯid·dōr tiddeRu tiddərū tidDor tiddōr ṯiddōr vaiyidDar vaiyiddeRu vattidDor venaderu venoDer wat·tid·dōr wattiddōr way·yid·dar way·yid·də·rū wayyiddar wayyiddərū wə·nā·ḏə·rū- wə·nō·ḏêr wənāḏərū- wənōḏêr yid·dōr yidDor yiddōr
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