נֶ֫דֶר (ne.der)
ne.der
vow
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 36 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun neder refers to a solemn promise made to God, often involving a specific commitment or offering. It appears frequently in the legal texts of Leviticus and Numbers, where strict regulations govern how such vows must be fulfilled. The term captures both the act of promising and the concrete object promised, such as an animal sacrifice or a monetary gift dedicated to the sanctuary.
Lexical sources distinguish neder from nedabah, which denotes a voluntary gift given freely without prior obligation. While a nedabah is spontaneous generosity, a neder creates a binding duty. This distinction highlights the seriousness of the commitment; once spoken, the vow becomes a debt that must be paid, as emphasized in Deuteronomy 23:21 regarding the failure to fulfill what has been pledged.
The word derives from the root nadar, meaning to pledge or bind oneself. In the Psalms, neder often appears in contexts of thanksgiving, where the psalmist promises to offer sacrifices in response to divine deliverance. This usage underscores the relational aspect of the vow, serving as a tangible expression of gratitude and devotion within the covenant community.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word neder describes a solemn promise made directly to God. It is not a casual wish but a binding commitment that creates a duty. In ancient Israel, this was a serious matter because breaking a vow was seen as failing to pay a debt owed to the Creator. The text makes it clear that once you speak such a promise, you must fulfill it.
Yet this word also shows how people sought to connect with God during difficult times. Hannah prayed for a child and promised to dedicate him to the Lord if her prayer was answered. Her vow became a tangible expression of her trust and gratitude. It reminds us that our promises to God are part of a real relationship built on honesty and dependence.
We can learn from this by being careful with what we pledge. If you find yourself making a promise to God, take it seriously. Fulfilling your word honors Him and strengthens your own faith. This practice keeps our lives grounded in truth and helps us grow in spiritual maturity over time.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 36 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a vow11×
- vows/ my5×
- vows/ your4×
- vow/ his3×
- votive offerings/ your2×
- and/ votive offerings/ your2×
- vows/ their1×
- vows/ our1×
- vows1×
- vow/ my1×
- from/ votive offerings/ your1×
- and/ vows/ your1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נֶ֣דֶר3×
- נְדָרָֽ/י\׃3×
- נֶ֛דֶר2×
- נֶ֙דֶר֙2×
- נֶ֑דֶר2×
- נִדְרֵי/כֶ֔ם2×
- נְ֭דָרַ/י2×
- נֶ֥דֶר1×
- נֶ֣דֶר\׀1×
- נֶ֜דֶר1×
- נֵ֥דֶר1×
- נֵ֙דֶר֙1×
Key Verses
-
I Samuel 1:11
She vowed a vow, and said, “Yahweh of Armies, if you will indeed look at the affliction of your servant and remember me, and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a boy, then I will give him to Yahweh all the days of his life, and no razor shall come on his head.”
Hannah’s vow demonstrates how desperate prayer can lead to specific, lifelong commitments to God.
-
Leviticus 22:21
Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Yahweh to accomplish a vow, or for a free will offering of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted. It shall have no defect.
The law requires that animals offered for a vow must be perfect, showing that God deserves our best effort.
-
Genesis 28:20
Jacob vowed a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and clothing to put on,
Jacob’s conditional vow reveals how humans often try to negotiate terms with God during uncertain times.