Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
27:2 The vow taken to become a Nazirite is also called a special vow (Num 6:2), but the vow mentioned here was probably a promise made to God when seeking a desired answer to prayer (see Gen 28:20-22). Pagan religions of the time sacrificed infants to their gods, but God outlawed such a practice (Lev 18:21; 20:2-5; cp. Gen 22:12-13). Consequently, the concept of being vowed to the Lord was measured in terms of service given, not in the sacrifice of a life. Whether the vow was made by the person or by another acting for him or her, payment was to be made to the sanctuary, apparently for the person’s expenses during the term of service. See also Num 6:1-21; Judg 13:5, 7; 1 Sam 1:11; Amos 2:11-12; Acts 18:18.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
27:2 The vow taken to become a Nazirite is also called a special vow (Num 6:2), but the vow mentioned here was probably a promise made to God when seeking a desired answer to prayer (see Gen 28:20-22). Pagan religions of the time sacrificed infants to their gods, but God outlawed such a practice (Lev 18:21; 20:2-5; cp. Gen 22:12-13). Consequently, the concept of being vowed to the Lord was measured in terms of service given, not in the sacrifice of a life. Whether the vow was made by the person or by another acting for him or her, payment was to be made to the sanctuary, apparently for the person’s expenses during the term of service. See also Num 6:1-21; Judg 13:5, 7; 1 Sam 1:11; Amos 2:11-12; Acts 18:18.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
Speak unto the children of Israel and say unto them, When any one devoteth [anything] by a vow, the persons shall be for Jehovah according to thy valuation.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall make a singular vow, the persons shall be for the LORD by thy estimation.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When a man shall accomplish a vow, the persons shall be for Jehovah by thy estimation.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man consecrates a person to Yahweh in a vow, according to your valuation,
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Say to the children of Israel, If a man makes a special oath, you will give your decision as to the value of the persons for the Lord.