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Vow
A vow is a promise or pledge a person makes to someone else. For example, when a man and woman get married, they make vows to each other. They promise to love each other as long as they live.
Also, a vow is a promise a person makes to God (see: Psalm 50:14; 56:12; Acts 18:18). When someone does this, they promise to do a certain thing in order to greatly honor God. Sometimes a person vows to do something if God will do something that helps that person (see: 1 Samuel 1:11).
After a person makes a vow, that person must keep or fulfill the vow. That is, a person must do what that person promised to do. The Bible teaches that God may judge the person who does not keep one’s own vow.
See: Fulfill (Fulfillment); Swear (Oath); Judge (Judgment)
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In the Old Testament, people sometimes offered sacrifices when they made vows to God (see: Leviticus 7:16; Numbers 15:8). Nazarite vows are an example of a vow a person makes, promising to serve God in a special way (see: Numbers 6:1-21; See also: Judges 13:5).
The Bible warns people to think carefully before making a vow. It is better to not make a vow rather than to make a vow and not keep it (see: Proverbs 20:25; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; 1 Timothy 5:11-15). Jesus also warned people about making vows. Jesus said it is better for people to do what they say they will do rather than to make a vow (see: Matthew 5:33-37).
See: Old Testament (Law and Prophets); Sacrifice; Serve (Servant, Slave)