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The Meaning of Vow

According to the Hebrew Bible Dictionary, this word is only used for...


“Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” Genesis 28.20-22

In the English Bible we see the word “vow” several times, however, in Hebrew, there are different words that are used in these cases, such as: brit, letzavêa, nishbah…, and each one of them reveals significant details.

In the case of Jacob's vow – Genesis 29:20, the word “נדר – Neder” appears

Which means a commitment, commitment of the Word itself, which cannot be broken.

According to the Hebrew Bible Dictionary, this word is used only for “vow with God and marriage vow”.

“Neder” first appeared in this passage, it had not been mentioned until then, precisely because it was something between Jacob and God, something spontaneous, that departed from him towards God.

Bishop Macedo

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