Lexical Summary
neder: Vow
Original Word:נֶדֶר
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:neder
Pronunciation:neh'-der
Phonetic Spelling:(neh'-der)
KJV: vow((-ed))
NASB:vow, vows, votive offerings, votive, votive offering
Word Origin:[fromH5087 (נָדַר - vowed)]
1. a promise (to God)
2. (concretely) a thing promised
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
vowed
Or neder {nay'-der}; fromnadar; a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised -- vow((-ed)).
see HEBREWnadar
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
nadarDefinitiona vow
NASB Translationvotive (3), votive offering (1), votive offerings (5), vow (26), vows (24).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
,
Num 30:5 ; —
Genesis 28:20 17t.;
Numbers 30:10 4t.; suffix
2 Samuel 15:7 5t. suffixes; plural
Jonah 1:16;
Proverbs 20:25; suffix
Psalm 22:26 3t.;
Leviticus 2;
Leviticus 2:18 24t. suffixes;-
vow:Genesis 28:20;Genesis 31:13 (of Jacob at Bethel),2 Samuel 15:7,8; (at Hebron);Leviticus 27:2 (P, any one), of NaziriteNumbers 6:2,5,21; Hannah's consecration of her son1 Samuel 1:11, compareProverbs 31:2.
in General ofNumbers 30:3;Numbers 30:4;Numbers 30:5 (twice in verse);Numbers 30:6;Numbers 30:7;Numbers 30:8;Numbers 30:9;Numbers 30:10;Numbers 30:12;Numbers 30:13;Numbers 30:14;Numbers 30:15 (P)Deuteronomy 12:11,17,26;Deuteronomy 23:19;Deuteronomy 23:22;Isaiah 19:21;Nahum 2:1;Psalm 22:26;Psalm 61:6;Psalm 61:9;Psalm 65:2;Psalm 116:14;Psalm 116:18;Proverbs 20:25;Job 22:27;Ecclesiastes 5:3.
Judges 11:30,39.
Numbers 21:2 (E).
""Psalm 66:13;Psalm 50:14;Psalm 56:13;Numbers 15:8; opposed toLeviticus 7:16;Numbers 15:3;Numbers 29:39 (P),Leviticus 22:18,21,23;Leviticus 23:38 (H),Deuteronomy 12:6,17;1 Samuel 1:21;Jonah 1:16.
Jeremiah 44:25 ( ). — Vbs. used are: q. v.;pay2 Samuel 15:7 12t.;Judges 11:39;Jeremiah 44:25;Deuteronomy 12:26;Numbers 30:5;Numbers 30:8;Numbers 30:12;Numbers 30:15;Jeremiah 44:25;Numbers 30:14;Leviticus 22:21;Leviticus 27:2;Numbers 15:3,8Numbers 6:2;Numbers 30:9. (See these verbs)
see .
Topical Lexicon
Overviewנֶדֶר (neder) denotes a voluntary, but binding, vow made to the LORD. It is an act of consecration, promising a gift, service, or abstention beyond what the law requires. Although optional to initiate, once uttered a neder is irrevocable without divine release.
The Nature of a Vow
1. Voluntary: No command compels a neder (Deuteronomy 23:22).
2. Directed to God: The divine name is nearly always in view (Genesis 28:20-22;Jonah 2:9).
3. Binding: “Whatever you have promised with your lips you must carefully keep” (Deuteronomy 23:23).
4. Public or private: Some vows were pronounced at the sanctuary (Psalm 66:13-15), others in private distress (1 Samuel 1:11).
5. Formal language: “Vow” (neder) is often paired with “oath” (shevuʿah), stressing solemnity (Numbers 30:2).
Legal Framework in the Torah
•Leviticus 27 legislates monetary equivalents when objects, persons, or animals are vowed.
•Numbers 6 provides for Nazirites whose neder involves abstention from wine, hair‐cutting, and corpse defilement.
•Numbers 30 regulates family authority: a father or husband could annul a daughter’s or wife’s vow on the day he heard it, protecting household order.
•Deuteronomy 23:21-23 demands prompt payment and warns that delayed fulfillment is “sin to you.”
Cultic and Sacrificial Applications
Vows frequently resulted in peace offerings (Leviticus 7:16), whole burnt offerings (Psalm 66:13-15), or monetary redemption. The act integrated personal devotion with the established sacrificial system, allowing Israelites to express gratitude, repentance, or supplication tangibly.
Personal and Familial Vows
• Jacob vowed a tithe and altar if God returned him safely (Genesis 28:20-22; 35:1).
• Hannah dedicated Samuel “all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11).
• Nazarite vows appear with Samson (Judges 13) and in post-exilic times (Nehemiah 10:29-30).
Vows in Israel’s Historical Narrative
Jephthah’s rash vow (Judges 11:30-40) underscores the peril of ill-considered promises. David’s conquest psalms reflect keeping vows after deliverance (Psalm 22:25; 56:12). National leaders sometimes linked vows to military success (2 Samuel 15:7-8).
Psalms and Wisdom Literature
Psalms repeatedly connect paying vows with thanksgiving and public testimony:
• “I will fulfill my vows before those who fear You” (Psalm 22:25).
• “Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them” (Psalm 76:11).
Wisdom texts stress caution:
• “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to reconsider his vows” (Proverbs 20:25).
• “It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it” (Ecclesiastes 5:5).
Prophetic Usage
Prophets foresee restored worship marked by vows (Isaiah 19:21;Nahum 1:15). Malachi condemns deceitful vow-offerers who bring blemished animals (Malachi 1:14), linking integrity in vows to covenant faithfulness.
Divine Vows
While neder usually describes human speech,Psalm 132:11 employs it of the LORD: “The LORD swore an oath to David, a promise He will not revoke.” Such usage highlights God’s unbreakable commitment and sets the standard for human fidelity.
Fulfillment and Consequences of Neglect
Failure to keep a neder brings guilt (Leviticus 5:4-6) and divine displeasure (Ecclesiastes 5:6). Conversely, obedience yields blessing and joyful worship (Psalm 116:14, 18).
New Testament Echoes
Although neder is Hebrew, the concept surfaces in Greek passages:
• Jesus warns against multiplying oaths; integrity should make vows unnecessary (Matthew 5:33-37).
• Paul submitted to a Nazirite-type vow (Acts 18:18; 21:23-24), showing continuity without legalism.
The underlying principle—truthful speech and wholehearted devotion—remains.
Practical Ministry Applications
1. Worship: Encourages intentional acts of gratitude (offerings, service, missions giving).
2. Integrity: Upholds reliability of Christian testimony; vows (marriage, ordination) must be honored.
3. Counseling: Warns against impulsive promises; guides believers to count the cost (Luke 14:28-33).
4. Stewardship: Demonstrates that giving is voluntary yet sacred once pledged (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Christological Implications
All vows anticipate the absolute faithfulness of Christ, “the Yes and Amen” of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). He fulfills what humanity could not, enabling believers to serve “without fear, in holiness and righteousness” (Luke 1:74-75).
Selected References
Genesis 28:20-22; 31:13; 35:1
Leviticus 7:16; 27:2-34
Numbers 6:2, 21; 30:2-16
Deuteronomy 23:21-23
Judges 11:30-39
1 Samuel 1:11;2 Samuel 15:7-8
Psalm 22:25; 50:14; 56:12; 61:8; 65:1; 66:13-14; 76:11; 116:14, 18; 132:2
Proverbs 20:25;Ecclesiastes 5:4-6
Isaiah 19:21;Jonah 2:9;Nahum 1:15;Malachi 1:14
Summary
נֶדֶר frames Israel’s worship with voluntary dedication. Scripture exalts the sincerity, urgency, and permanence of vows while warning against rashness. Ultimately, nedarim point to God’s flawless fidelity and call believers to truthful, wholehearted devotion.
Forms and Transliterations
וְנִדְרֵיכֶם֙ וְנֵ֥דֶר וּלְנֵ֖דֶר וּנְדָרֶ֑יךָ וּנְדָרֶ֖יהָ וּנְדָרֶ֥יךָ ולנדר ונדר ונדריה ונדריך ונדריכם לִנְדָרֶ֛יהָ לִנְדָרָ֑י לנדרי לנדריה מִנִּדְרֵיכֶ֜ם מנדריכם נְ֭דָרַי נְדָרִ֣ים נְדָרִֽים׃ נְדָרֵ֗ינוּ נְדָרֶ֑יךָ נְדָרֶ֔יהָ נְדָרֶ֗יהָ נְדָרֶ֙יךָ֙ נְדָרֶֽיךָ׃ נְדָרַ֗י נְדָרַ֥י נְדָרָ֑יִךְ נְדָרָֽי׃ נִדְר֖וֹ נִדְרִ֛י נִדְרֵיהֶם֙ נִדְרֵיכֶ֔ם נִדְרֵיכֶֽם׃ נִדְרֵיכֶם֙ נִדְרָ֗הּ נִדְרָהּ֙ נִדְרֽוֹ׃ נִדְרוֹ֙ נֵ֙דֶר֙ נֵ֛דֶר נֵ֥דֶר נֶ֑דֶר נֶ֖דֶר נֶ֙דֶר֙ נֶ֛דֶר נֶ֜דֶר נֶ֣דֶר נֶ֣דֶר ׀ נֶ֥דֶר נֶֽדֶר׃ נדר נדר׃ נדרה נדרו נדרו׃ נדרי נדרי׃ נדריה נדריהם נדריך נדריך׃ נדריכם נדריכם׃ נדרים נדרים׃ נדרינו lin·ḏā·rāy lin·ḏā·re·hā lindaRai linḏārāy linḏārehā lindaReiha min·niḏ·rê·ḵem minnidreiChem minniḏrêḵem nə·ḏā·rā·yiḵ nə·ḏā·ray nə·ḏā·rāy nə·ḏā·re·hā nə·ḏā·re·ḵā nə·ḏā·rê·nū nə·ḏā·rîm ne·ḏer nê·ḏer nedaRai nəḏāray nəḏārāy nedaRayich nəḏārāyiḵ nəḏārehā nedaReicha nedaReiha nedaReinu nəḏāreḵā nəḏārênū nedaRim nəḏārîm Neder neḏer nêḏer niḏ·rāh niḏ·rê·hem niḏ·rê·ḵem niḏ·rî niḏ·rōw nidRah niḏrāh niḏrêhem nidreiChem nidreiHem niḏrêḵem nidRi niḏrî nidRo niḏrōw ū·lə·nê·ḏer ū·nə·ḏā·re·hā ū·nə·ḏā·re·ḵā uleNeder ūlənêḏer ūnəḏārehā unedaReicha unedaReiha ūnəḏāreḵā veNeder venidreiChem wə·nê·ḏer wə·niḏ·rê·ḵem wənêḏer wəniḏrêḵem
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