But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows or all her pledges which are on her. He has established them, because he said nothing to her in the day that he heard them.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 14. It. The Rabbins restrain this law to fasting and abstinence. But the Hebrew seems more general, (verse 13,) “every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may ratify or annul.” The vows of abstinence are most common, and generally more disagreeable to husbands. Calmet.—Saint Augustine (q. 59,) thinks it unreasonable that the husband should have a control over the vows of continency in his wife, any more than she could have over him, in this particular, as their rights are equal: he seems inclined to allow him to annul the vows of abstinence only. Indeed this seems to be the meaning of afflicting the soul, which is done by submitting to various restraints, required on days of fasting. See Leviticus 23:27. Bible.—In things which could nowise hurt the parent or husband, many believe, that the person who had made a vow, was bound to perform it secretly, even though the superior had declared his dissent. But with respect to fasting, pilgrimages, and so forth which could not be performed without his knowledge, it does not seem that they were under any farther obligation, even though the superior should retract what he had connived at for a whole day. In doubtful cases inferiors must not refuse to obey. The sin lies at the door of him who exercises his authority in an improper manner. Lyran. Tirinus. verse 16.