Any vow and any binding oath: See the comments on verse 2. TNIV says “any vow she makes or any sworn pledge.”

To afflict herself: New Revised Standard Version says “to deny herself.” See the comments on 29.7. Here, any kind of self-denial seems to be in mind (so Budd, page 323). On the other hand, the use of this same expression in conjunction with the Day of Atonement (29.7) may suggest some sort of a religious vow, such as fasting or foregoing sexual relations for a time. Good News Translation omits this clause, which we do not recommend.

Her husband may establish is literally “her husband may cause it to stand.” The Hebrew verb for “stand” is the same one used in verse 4, but here it has a causative form. Establish may be rendered “validate,” “confirm” (NET Bible), or “reaffirm.”

Or her husband may make void: See verse 8.

TNIV provides the following helpful model for reordering this verse:

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

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 .