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Discussions Torah

Numbers 30: Daughter of Zion and the Father’s prerogative

Asking for a father’s permission to marry his daughter is viewed as comically anachronistic today. Likewise, these instructions for a father’s ability to annul a daughter’s vow seem a relic of yesteryear. Yet God teaches through object lessons, and what’s being communicated here is far more important than a surface impression.

Asking for a father’s permission to marry his daughter is viewed as comically anachronistic today. Likewise, these instructions for a father’s ability to annul a daughter’s vow seem a relic of yesteryear. Yet God teaches through object lessons, and what’s being communicated here is far more important than a surface impression.

Parallel passages: Deut. 23:21-23; Eccl. 5:1-7

Thought questions

  • How do these instruction on vows relate to the fact Adam sinned and Eve was deceived?
  • How do these instructions relate to our lives today?
  • Who are these vows to?
  • Does a widow or divorced person need permission from her father to remarry (see Num. 30:9)?
  • Is marriage different than a vow?
  • How is the relation between a man and wife as well as between a father and daughter?
  • Is Israel “married” to Messiah?
    • If so, how does that relationship work?
  • Why is Jerusalem called the “daughter of Zion”?
    • Who set up Zion?
  • Is the assembly of Israel to respond emotionally and rashly?
  • How should we approach our prayer life if we are like a bride or a daughter to God?
  • Do these instructions on vows relate to obedience of a wife or daughter or to blessings?
  • What lessons in mercy and commitment are there for husbands and fathers?

כל עולה kol ’olah (whole burnt) offerings and life today

  • What are the requirements for an עולה ’olah (burnt) offering?
    • no disfigurement
    • entirely burnt up
  • How does that relate to apostle Paul’s instruction to be a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1)?
  • What happens if you have sinned and are no longer “spotless” how can you present yourself as a “living sacrifice”? (Read 1st John 1:9.)
  • When we present ourselves, shouldn’t we ask whether our thoughts and words and actions are pure and true?