Or when renders the Hebrew waw conjunction and the particle ki. These words introduce another case concerning vows. New Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation omit the word Or. Since this verse begins the list of vows concerning women, it may be helpful to begin a new paragraph here (so Good News Translation).

A woman vows a vow to the LORD, and binds herself by a pledge …: A woman clearly refers to “a young woman” (Good News Translation) in this context (see the comments below), which Chewa makes clear by saying “A woman if she happens to be a maiden.” For vows a vow to the LORD, and binds herself by a pledge, see verse 2. As there, the text makes a distinction again between a positive vow and a negative pledge. Therefore the corresponding terminology should be used in translation, for example, “makes a vow to do something for the LORD or takes an oath not to do something.”

Within her father’s house: This expression may cause difficulties in societies that are traditionally matrilineal and matrilocal (for example, Chewa). These societies may prefer to say simply “at home.” However, because of the importance of the father in the following discussion, an unnatural expression may have to be used, such as “in the house of her father.”

In her youth: The Hebrew expression for youth (neʿurim) indicates that the woman is young, but not exactly how young (though old enough to know the significance of vows in Israelite culture). According to Jewish tradition, a female was classified as a young woman (naʿarah in Hebrew) beginning at the age of twelve years and a day.

And her father hears of her vow and of her pledge by which she has bound herself: See verse 2. The girl’s father probably does not hear her vow directly, so Good News Translation says “when he hears about it.” Another possible model is “as soon as he hears about it.” Instead of vow and pledge, the Septuagint, the Peshitta, and the Samaritan Pentateuch have the plural forms “vows” and “pledges.” There is no need to follow this reading. Although the plural may be more natural in some languages, it seems likely that just one vow is in view here, perhaps repeated, but no different.

And says nothing to her is literally “and her father keeps silent toward her,” which means he does not say anything to her about the vow or pledge she has made.

Then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand means the girl must fulfil her vow or pledge since her father approves of it by saying nothing. In the Hebrew text vows is plural while pledge is singular. Instead of pledge, the Septuagint, the Peshitta, and the Samaritan Pentateuch have the plural word “pledges.” For naturalness translators may use the singular or the plural here. Every pledge by which she has bound herself shall stand refers to the girl’s self-imposed obligation to abstain from something (see verse 2). Shall stand may be rendered “shall remain valid” or “shall be in force.” A possible model for this whole clause is “then she must do everything she promised to do or to abstain from.”

Good News Translation condenses verses 3-4 so that they are less redundant and easier to follow. If its wording sounds more natural in translation, it may be used as a model. This recommendation applies throughout the various subsections of this chapter.

Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .