It is much better not to make a Vow to GOD, than to do it but then not complete it. The Bible is clear on this matter, making a vow can be the most rewarding of actions we can do in favor of GOD, good and our well-being, but we must be careful to maintain the truthfulness of the “words spoken” in the Vow.
Here are some important Biblical passages regarding the practice of Vows, beginning of course with the oldest recorded in the Bible, the Vow of Nazirite.

 

 

Genesis 28, 20-22

²⁰ Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If GOD will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear ²¹ so that I return safely to my father’s household, then the LORD will be my GOD ²² and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be GOD’s house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth.”

Genesis 31, 13

I am the GOD of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar and where you made a vow to Me. Now leave this land at once and go back to your native land.’”

Leviticus 7, 16

“‘If, however, their offering is the result of a vow or is a freewill offering, the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it, but anything left over may be eaten on the next day.

Leviticus 22, 18

“Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: ‘If any of you—whether an Israelite or a foreigner residing in Israel—presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, either to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering,

Leviticus 22, 21

When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the LORD to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.

Leviticus 22, 23

You may, however, present as a freewill offering an ox or a sheep that is deformed or stunted, but it will not be accepted in fulfillment of a vow.

Leviticus 23, 38

These offerings are in addition to those for the LORD’s Sabbaths and in addition to your gifts and whatever you have vowed and all the freewill offerings you give to the LORD.

Leviticus 27, 2

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate a person to the LORD by giving the equivalent value,

Leviticus 27, 8

If anyone making the vow is too poor to pay the specified amount, the person being dedicated is to be presented to the priest, who will set the value according to what the one making the vow can afford.

Leviticus 27, 9

“‘If what they vowed is an animal that is acceptable as an offering to the LORD, such an animal given to the Lord becomes holy.

Leviticus 27, 11

If what they vowed is a ceremonially unclean animal—one that is not acceptable as an offering to the LORD—the animal must be presented to the priest,

Numbers 6, 2

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite,

Numbers 6, 4

As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.

Numbers 6, 5

“‘During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the LORD is over; they must let their hair grow long.

Numbers 6, 21

“‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows offerings to the LORD in accordance with their dedication, in addition to whatever else they can afford. They must fulfill the vows they have made, according to the law of the Nazirite.’”

Numbers 15, 3

and you present to the LORD food offerings from the herd or the flock, as an aroma pleasing to the LORD—whether burnt offerings or sacrifices, for special vows or freewill offerings or festival offerings—

Numbers 15, 8

“‘When you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice, for a special vow or a fellowship offering to the LORD,

Numbers 21, 2

Then Israel made this vow to the LORD: “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy their cities.”

Numbers 29, 39

“‘In addition to what you vow and your freewill offerings, offer these to the LORD at your appointed festivals: your burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings and fellowship offerings.’”

Numbers 30, 1

[ Vows ] Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the LORD commands:

Numbers 30, 2

When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.

Numbers 30, 3

“When a young woman still living in her father’s household makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge

Numbers 30, 4

and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all her vows and every pledge by which she obligated herself will stand.

Numbers 30, 5

But if her father forbids her when he hears about it, none of her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand; the LORD will release her because her father has forbidden her.

Numbers 30, 6

“If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself

Numbers 30, 7

and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand.

Numbers 30, 8

But if her husband forbids her when he hears about it, he nullifies the vow that obligates her or the rash promise by which she obligates herself, and the LORD will release her.

Numbers 30, 9

“Any vow or obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her.

Numbers 30, 10

“If a woman living with her husband makes a vow or obligates herself by a pledge under oath

Numbers 30, 11

and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her and does not forbid her, then all her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand.

Numbers 30, 12

But if her husband nullifies them when he hears about them, then none of the vows or pledges that came from her lips will stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will release her.

Numbers 30, 13

Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny herself.

Numbers 30, 14

But if her husband says nothing to her about it from day to day, then he confirms all her vows or the pledges binding on her. He confirms them by saying nothing to her when he hears about them.

Deuteronomy 12, 6

there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.

Deuteronomy 12, 11

Then to the place the LORD your GOD will choose as a dwelling for his Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.

Deuteronomy 12, 17

You must not eat in your own towns the tithe of your grain and new wine and olive oil, or the firstborn of your herds and flocks, or whatever you have vowed to give, or your freewill offerings or special gifts.

Deuteronomy 12, 26

But take your consecrated things and whatever you have vowed to give, and go to the place the LORD will choose.

Deuteronomy 23, 18

You must not bring the earnings of a female prostitute or of a male prostitute into the house of the LORD your GOD to pay any vow, because the LORD your GOD detests them both.

Deuteronomy 23, 21

If you make a vow to the LORD your GOD, do not be slow to pay it, for the LORD your GOD will certainly demand it of you and you will be guilty of sin.

Deuteronomy 23, 22

But if you refrain from making a vow, you will not be guilty.

Deuteronomy 23, 23

Whatever your lips utter you must be sure to do, because you made your vow freely to the LORD your GOD with your own mouth.

Judges 11, 30

And Jephthah made a vow to the LORD: “If you give the Ammonites into my hands,

Judges 11, 35

When he saw her, he tore his clothes and cried, “Oh no, my daughter! You have brought me down and I am devastated. I have made a vow to the LORD that I cannot break.”

Judges 11, 39

After the two months, she returned to her father, and he did to her as he had vowed. And she was a virgin. From this comes the Israelite tradition

1 Samuel 1, 11

And she made a vow, saying, “LORD Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

1 Samuel 1, 21

[ Hannah Dedicates Samuel ] When her husband Elkanah went up with all his family to offer the annual sacrifice to the LORD and to fulfill his vow,

2 Samuel 15, 7

At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, “Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the LORD.

2 Samuel 15, 8

While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: ‘If the LORD takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.’”

2 Kings 12, 4

Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the LORD — the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the Temple.

Job 22, 27

You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows.

Psalm 22, 25

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you I will fulfill my vows.

Psalm 50, 14

“Sacrifice thank offerings to GOD, fulfill your vows to the Most High,

Psalm 56, 12

I am under vows to you, my GOD; I will present my thank offerings to you.

Psalm 61, 5

For you, GOD, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

Psalm 61, 8

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfill my vows day after day.

Psalm 65, 1

[ Psalm 65 ] [ For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song. ] Praise awaits you, our GOD, in Zion; to You our vows will be fulfilled.

Psalm 66, 13

I will come to Your Temple with burnt offerings and fulfill my vows to You

Psalm 66, 14

vows my lips promised and my mouth spoke when I was in trouble.

Psalm 76, 11

Make vows to the LORD your GOD and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

Psalm 116, 14

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

Psalm 116, 18

I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people,

Psalm 132, 2

He swore an oath to the LORD, he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:

Proverbs 7, 14

“Today I fulfilled my vows, and I have food from my fellowship offering at home.

Proverbs 20, 25

It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.

Ecclesiastes 5, 1

[ Fulfill Your Vow to GOD ] Guard your steps when you go to the house of GOD. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Ecclesiastes 5, 4

When you make a vow to GOD, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.

Ecclesiastes 5, 5

It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

Ecclesiastes 5, 6

Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should GOD be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands?

Isaiah 19, 21

So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them.

Jeremiah 44, 25

This is what the LORD Almighty, the GOD of Israel, says: You and your wives have done what you said you would do when you promised, ‘We will certainly carry out the vows we made to burn incense and pour out drink offerings to the Queen of Heaven.’ “Go ahead then, do what you promised! Keep your vows!

Jonah 1, 16

At this the men greatly feared the LORD, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows to Him.

Jonah 2, 9

But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’”

Nahum 1, 15

Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your festivals, Judah, and fulfill your vows. No more will the wicked invade you; they will be completely destroyed.

Malachi 1, 14

“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the LORD. For I am a great king,” says the LORD Almighty, “and My Name is to be feared among the nations.

Matthew 5, 33

[ Oaths ] “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’

Acts 18, 18

[ Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos ] Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.

Acts 21, 23

so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow.