Vows

The tragic and pathetic Hebrew narrative of Jephthah and his daughter illustrates the heart-tearing contention between ancient religious customs and advancing civilization, as men and women are addicted to making foolish vows. 89:6.3

Historically, vows evolved from self-denial pledges into contracts with gods, offering a form of exchange for self-torture and mortification. 89:3.5

Moses enabled his people to escape worst results of human sacrifices by establishing a system of ransom in place of their rash vows. 89:7.1

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• Jephthah's daughter 89:6.3 — Jg 11:30-39.
• God of battles 89:6.3 — 1 Ch 14:15; 2 Ch 20:15; 2 Ch 32:8; Ps 24:8; Dt 7:21-23; Dt 20:1-4; 1 Sam 17:47.
• God accepts substitutes 89:7.1 — Ex 13:12-13.
• Sacrificial system 89:7.1 — Lv 27:1-34.
• Substitutes and ransom 89:7.1 — Ex 21:30.