What does נָדַר (nādar) mean in the Bible?
נָדַר (nādar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to make a vow, especially an undertaking to the LORD. The act is a commitment a person makes, not a promise God owes in return.
Hebrew · H5087
נָדַר
נָדַר (nādar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to make a vow, especially an undertaking to the Lord. The act is a commitment a person makes, not a promise God owes in return.
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נָדַרH5087
Pronunciationnādar
What does נָדַר (nādar) mean in the Bible?
Reader summary
Full entry for נָדַר (H5087) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5087?
The BSB source-word alignment has 31 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include made (4), and made (2), makes (2), you make (2), [and] vowed (1).
Where does נָדַר (nādar) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 28:20. Its strongest book concentrations include Numbers (7), Deuteronomy (5), Ecclesiastes (4), 2 Samuel (2).
What This Word Actually Means
נָדַר (nādar) is a Hebrew verb meaning to make a vow, especially an undertaking to the Lord. The act is a commitment a person makes, not a promise God owes in return. Deuteronomy 23:21-23 distinguishes freely undertaking a vow from refraining: a vow must be fulfilled, while abstaining from one is not itself sinful. That distinction protects readers from treating heightened verbal commitment as a necessary proof of devotion.
Hannah vows amid anguished prayer in 1 Samuel 1:11, while Jonah speaks of fulfilling his vows in a prayer that confesses salvation belongs to the Lord. These contexts allow grief, petition, dedication, and gratitude to be heard without turning their particular experiences into a formula. The verb does not promise that an equivalent vow will produce a child or rescue. Its teaching value lies in the relationship between freely offered commitment, honest follow-through, and dependence upon God's mercy.
Passage contextCanonical parallel
How the Bible Uses It
Selected vow-making texts distinguish voluntary undertaking from required faithfulness once words have been spoken. Hannah's petition and Jonah's thanksgiving provide distinct narrative settings, while Deuteronomy supplies an explicit limit against making vows compulsory.
- Deut.23.21
If you make a vow to the Lord your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.
The instruction concerns a vow actually made to the Lord and forbids delay in keeping it. The adjacent permission not to vow prevents this obligation from becoming a demand that everyone make additional commitments.
- Deut.23.22
But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty of sin.
Refraining from making a vow is explicitly distinguished from sinful failure to fulfill one. This direct occurrence gives teachers a textual boundary against compulsory pledges or spiritual competition.
- 1Sam.1.11
And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
Hannah's undertaking arises within her particular distressed prayer and concerns the dedication of the son she requests. Her story does not authorize blaming another grieving person for lacking an equivalent vow.
- Jonah.2.9
But I, with the voice of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. I will fulfill what I have vowed. Salvation is from the Lord!”
Jonah's resolve to fulfill his vow stands beside thanksgiving and the confession that salvation belongs to the Lord. The prayer's climax attributes deliverance to God rather than to the power of Jonah's undertaking.
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itmade4×Genesis 28:20, Numbers 21:2, Judges 11:30, 2 Samuel 15:8
and made2×Genesis 31:13, Jonah 1:16
makes2×Numbers 30:2, Numbers 30:3
you make2×Deuteronomy 23:21, Ecclesiastes 5:4
[and] vowed1×Psalms 132:2
And she made1×1 Samuel 1:11
and vows to give it1×Malachi 1:14
as he had vowed1×Judges 11:39
from making a vow1×Deuteronomy 23:22
has made a vow1×Numbers 30:10
he makes1×Numbers 6:21
I have made1×2 Samuel 15:7
I have vowed1×Jonah 2:9
Make1×Psalms 76:11
than to make a vow1×Ecclesiastes 5:5
the one making the vow1×Leviticus 27:8
they will make1×Isaiah 19:21
to vow1×Ecclesiastes 5:5
vow1×Numbers 6:2
vowed1×Deuteronomy 23:23
vows1×Numbers 6:21
we have made1×Jeremiah 44:25
you have vowed to give1×Deuteronomy 12:17
you vow1×Deuteronomy 12:11
your vow1×Ecclesiastes 5:4
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 28:20וַיִּדַּ֥רtomadeConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularGenesis 31:13נָדַ֥רְתָּtoand madeVerb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singularLeviticus 27:8הַנֹּדֵ֔רtothe one making the vowArticle | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singularNumbers 6:2לִנְדֹּר֙tovowPreposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive constructNumbers 6:21יִדֹּר֒tovowsVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 6:21יִדֹּ֔רtohe makesVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 21:2וַיִּדַּ֨רtomadeConjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 30:2יִדֹּ֨רtomakesVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singularNumbers 30:3תִדֹּ֥רtomakesVerb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singularNumbers 30:10נָדָ֑רָהtohas made a vowVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 28:20
Aligned rows31
Books represented13
Genesis2Leviticus1Numbers7Deuteronomy5Judges21 Samuel12 Samuel2Psalms2Ecclesiastes4Isaiah1Jeremiah1Jonah2Malachi1
Source forms
וַיִּדַּ֨ר2xway·yid·darNumbers 21:2, Judges 11:30
תִדֹּ֥ר2xṯid·dōrNumbers 30:3, Deuteronomy 23:21
הַנֹּדֵ֔ר1xhan·nō·ḏêrLeviticus 27:8
וַיִּדַּ֥ר1xway·yid·darGenesis 28:20
וַֽיִּדְּר֖וּ1xway·yid·də·rūJonah 1:16
וְנֹדֵ֛ר1xwə·nō·ḏêrMalachi 1:14
וְנָדְרוּ־1xwə·nā·ḏə·rū-Isaiah 19:21
וַתִּדֹּ֨ר1xwat·tid·dōr1 Samuel 1:11
Parsing patterns
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular5xDeuteronomy 12:17, Deuteronomy 23:21, Ecclesiastes 5:4, Ecclesiastes 5:5
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular3xGenesis 28:20, Numbers 21:2, Judges 11:30
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular3xNumbers 6:21, Numbers 30:2
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular3xJudges 11:39, 2 Samuel 15:8, Psalms 132:2
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct2xNumbers 6:2, Deuteronomy 23:22
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular2x2 Samuel 15:7, Jonah 2:9
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular2xGenesis 31:13, Deuteronomy 23:23
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular1xLeviticus 27:8
Using This Word Well
Be careful not to...
- Freely considered commitments should not be replaced by public pressure, especially when a hearer is distressed or afraid of appearing less devoted.
- An undertaking to do wrong needs truthful acknowledgment and accountable help; additional vows cannot cleanse the wrongdoing or purchase a different answer to prayer.
Avoid claiming...
- Hannah's vow does not guarantee that repeating her words will bring a child; her narrative describes one particular petition and dedication.
- A reader who refrains from an optional vow is not thereby guilty of sin; Deuteronomy 23:22 states that boundary explicitly.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Sacred binding promise to God, often involving conditional self-dedication or material offering during distress
Strong'sH5087
Lexical occurrences31 versesWord forms1 form20 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkGenesis 28:10-22Source Gloss
to promise (pos., to do or give something to God)
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Sacred binding promise to God, often involving conditional self-dedication or material offering during distress
to promise (pos., to do or give something to God) BDB: vow Usage: (make a) vow.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms20
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense20×
ImperfectDeut 12:17 · Deut 23:22 · Eccl 5:3 · Eccl 5:4 · Num 6:21 · Num 30:3 · Deut 12:11 · Num 30:410×
Perfect2Sam 15:8 · Judg 11:39 · Ps 132:2 · 2Sam 15:7 · Jonah 2:10 · Deut 23:24 · Gen 31:13 · Jer 44:25 · Num 30:119×
Sequential imperfectPs 76:121×
Selected Scripture Witnesses
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
Jacob makes a conditional promise to God in exchange for divine protection and provision
Worshippers present vows and offerings to God as expressions of devotion and thanksgiving
Showing 2 selected witnesses from 31 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
נָדַר is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.
For the Preacher and Teacher
Deuteronomy's instructions give weight to spoken commitment without rewarding the multiplication of commitments. The person who vows must not postpone fulfillment, because freely addressed words to the Lord are serious. Yet the person who refrains is not thereby guilty. The law does not turn every good intention into a mandatory ceremonial undertaking. Its distinction allows a teacher to commend honest fulfillment without coercing a congregation into promises its members did not freely choose.
Hannah's prayer should be heard with its tears and particular dedication; it must not become an explanation for someone else's unanswered petition. Jonah's willingness to fulfill what he vowed accompanies his confession that salvation comes from the Lord. Together these scenes direct attention toward dependence and grateful responsibility. They do not offer a price list for receiving divine help. Christian application should keep the reliability of ordinary speech in view while refusing to make an additional vow the condition of God's grace.
Anchor passage
Deut.23.21
Doctrinal connections
- Deuteronomy 23:21-23 distinguishes voluntary vow-making, prompt fulfillment, and freedom to refrain; all three parts govern the application.
- 1 Samuel 1:9-18 surrounds Hannah's undertaking with misunderstood anguish and prayer, requiring tenderness toward readers who share her grief.
- Jonah 2:7-10 locates vowed thanksgiving beside the confession of God's saving initiative rather than a payment that produces rescue.
- Genesis 28:20-22 records Jacob's specific undertaking after God's appearance; its narrative situation is not a universal contract for prosperity.
- Leviticus 5:4-6 provides a neighboring caution about rash sworn speech, showing why seriousness does not make recklessness righteous.
- Matthew 5:33-37 emphasizes truthful discipleship speech; this canonical comparison does not equate every Greek oath expression with the Hebrew vow-making verb.
H5087 names the action of making a vow, whereas the related noun H5088 names a vow. Deuteronomy 23:22 uses the action in an instruction about refraining, so the verb itself does not encode a requirement to make the undertaking.
From Old to New Testament
Israel's law treats a freely made vow as serious while permitting restraint from vow-making. Jesus' instruction in Matthew 5:33-37 calls disciples to dependable speech rather than elaborate assurances. The comparison helps teachers examine sincerity and responsibility, but a Hebrew vow and the Greek oath vocabulary remain distinct lexical objects. Neither passage offers a transaction that purchases divine favor.
Passage contextCanonical parallel