and her father hears her vow and her pledge with which she has bound her soul, and her father says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge with which she has bound her soul shall stand.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 4. Girl in age, not 12; or, if more, at least not married, nor out of her father’s house, verse 17. For either of these conditions rendered a girl incapable of binding herself irrevocably. The father, or all who had the care of her, might rescind her vow, provided they did it as soon as it came to their knowledge, or on the same day, verse 15. Boys under 13, were under similar restrictions. Grotius.—Wives, and, in general, all who are under subjection, could not dispose of themselves without the consent of their superiors, as their want of prudence, and so forth might have otherwise injured what belonged, in some measure, to another. Bible.—The law, therefore, submits their case to the decision of their immediate judges. Calmet.—But if the thing, which a person vowed, was already of strict obligation, as to fast on the day of expiation, (Leviticus 23:29,) no one could presume to hinder his wife from complying with this double duty. Worthington.