# vow

## Definition:

A vow is a promise that a person makes to God. The person promises to do a certain thing in order to specially honor God or to show devotion to him.

* After a person makes a vow, he is obligated to fulfill that vow.
* The Bible teaches that a person may be judged by God if he doesn't keep his vow.
* Sometimes a person may ask God to protect him or provide for him in exchange for making the vow.
* But God is not required to fulfill a request that a person asks for in his vow.

## Translation Suggestions:

* Depending on the context, "vow" could be translated as "solemn promise" or "promise made to God."
* A vow is a special kind of oath that is made to God.

(See also: [promise](../kt/promise.md), [oath](../other/oath.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Corinthians 07:27-28](rc://en/tn/help/1co/07/27)
* [Acts 21:23](rc://en/tn/help/act/21/23)
* [Genesis 28:21](rc://en/tn/help/gen/28/21)
* [Genesis 31:12-13](rc://en/tn/help/gen/31/12)
* [Jonah 01:14-16](rc://en/tn/help/jon/01/14)
* [Jonah 02:9-10](rc://en/tn/help/jon/02/09)
* [Proverbs 07:14](rc://en/tn/help/pro/07/14)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H5087, H5088, G2171

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

vow, vowed, vows