But if her husband makes them null and void on the day that he hears them is literally “And if to make void her husband makes them void on the day he hears [them].” The Hebrew verb for “make void” (hefer) is the same one used in verse 8 (see the comments there). Here it is repeated for emphasis, first as an infinitive absolute and then as a finite verb. NET Bible expresses this emphatic verbal construction as “clearly nullifies,” and Revised English Bible has “clearly repudiates.” Alter translates this whole complex clause as “But if her husband indeed annulled [past tense] them at the time he heard.” Alter, Levine, and NET Bible take this verse as another continued reference to the widow or divorced woman. However, the problem with this interpretation is that the Hebrew type of verb here for “makes … void” (yafer, which is an imperfect verb form) can hardly refer to the past, and it is combined with the clause on the day that he hears them. Good News Translation‘s present tense verb “forbids” is more plausible. Other translations with present tense verbs here are Contemporary English Version, New International Version, New Living Translation, Revised English Bible, Bible en français courant, Parole de Vie, La Bible de Jérusalem Nouvelle, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch, Bijbel in Gewone Taal, De Nieuwe Bijbelvertaling, Willibrordvertaling, and Luther.

Then whatever proceeds out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning her pledge of herself, shall not stand: If her husband nullifies any vow or oath of his wife, it will no longer be valid. She is not obligated to fulfil it. For vows and pledge, see verse 2; for shall not stand, see verse 4. This whole clause may be rendered “then none of the vows or pledges she made will be valid.”

Her husband has made them void: The type of Hebrew verb here (hefer, which is a perfect verb form) highlights that the annulment of the vows is now an accomplished fact.

And the LORD will forgive her: See verse 5.

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 .