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נֶדֶר

𐤍𐤃𐤓

neder

H5088 noun

SILEX Entry

Root נדר to vow, to dedicate, to promise

Definition

A solemn promise or vow, most often made to the Israelite deity, in which the individual commits to perform an act, dedicate something, or abstain from an activity as an expression of devotion or supplication. The term encompasses both the act of vowing and the specific object or action vowed. Semantic range includes: religious pledge, votive offering, or self-imposed abstinence in the context of worship or seeking favor.

Semantic Range

vow, solemn promise (to the deity), votive offering, act of self-imposed abstinence or dedication, the specific thing or act vowed

Root / Etymology

From the root נדר, meaning 'to vow, to make a promise or dedication.' The noun נֶדֶר arises from this root, signifying the actual vow or the thing vowed, rather than the act of vowing itself.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, נֶדֶר is distinct from related terms such as אֵסָר (eisar), which refers specifically to an oath of abstinence. While נֶדֶר most often denotes voluntary acts of devotion—such as offerings, dedications, or personal restrictions—made to the Israelite deity, it is also used for other types of sacred promises. The fulfillment of a נֶדֶר is treated as a serious obligation, with legal and ritual consequences outlined in legal, narrative, and wisdom texts (e.g., Num 30; Lev 27; Deut 23:22-24). The making and fulfillment of vows is frequently portrayed in texts pertaining to the sanctuary and cult, but individual narratives (as in the case of Hannah, 1 Sam 1:11) show broader personal and communal use. Over time, the ritual and legal frameworks for vows became more regulated to prevent rash or insincere vows. Standard translations as 'vow' capture the core meaning, but can obscure the specifically religious and often conditional aspect of Israelite נדר practices. In post-exilic and later Jewish tradition, the practice and interpretation of vow-making evolved, particularly as communal and liturgical contexts changed.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or נֵדֶר; from נָדַר; a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised; vow(-ed).

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נדר (n-d-r) — to vow, to dedicate, to promise

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5087 נָדַר the one who vows

Word Forms

20 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5088-10 נֶ֣דֶר neder HNcmsa vow solemn vow 21
H5088-04 נְדָרַ֥/י nedaray HNcmpc/Sp1cs my vows my vowed-dedications 7
H5088-06 נְדָרֶ֔י/הָ nedareyha HNcmpc/Sp3fs her vows her vowed pledges 5
H5088-13 נִדְרֵי/כֶם֙ nidereykhem HNcmpc/Sp2mp your vows your vowed-dedications 4
H5088-15 נִדְר/וֹ֙ nidero HNcmsc/Sp3ms his vow his vow 3
H5088-07 נְדָרֶ֨י/ךָ֙ nedareykha HNcmpc/Sp2ms your vows your vowed-dedications 3
H5088-09 נְדָרִֽים nedarim HNcmpa vows vows 2
H5088-18 וּ/נְדָרֶ֑י/ךָ unedareykha HC/Ncmpc/Sp2ms and your vows and your vowed-pledges 2
H5088-11 נִדְרָ֗/הּ niderah HNcmsc/Sp3fs her vow her vowed-dedication 2
H5088-01 לִ/נְדָרָ֑/י linedaray HR/Ncmpc/Sp1cs my vows to my vows 1

Occurrences in Scripture

60 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5088-10 Genesis 28:20 נֶ֣דֶר neder HNcmsa a vow solemn vow
H5088-10 Genesis 31:13 נֶ֑דֶר neder HNcmsa a vow solemn vow
H5088-10 Leviticus 7:16 נֶ֣דֶר neder HNcmsa vow solemn vow
H5088-12 Leviticus 22:18 נִדְרֵי/הֶם֙ nidereyhem HNcmpc/Sp3mp their vows their vowed pledges
H5088-10 Leviticus 22:21 נֶ֨דֶר֙ neder HNcmsa vow solemn vow
H5088-16 Leviticus 22:23 וּ/לְ/נֵ֖דֶר uleneder HC/R/Ncmsa but for a vow and for a vow
H5088-13 Leviticus 23:38 נִדְרֵי/כֶם֙ nidereykhem HNcmpc/Sp2mp your vows your vowed-dedications
H5088-10 Leviticus 27:2 נֶ֑דֶר neder HNcmsa vow solemn vow
H5088-10 Numbers 6:2 נֶ֣דֶר neder HNcmsc vow solemn vow
H5088-10 Numbers 6:5 נֶ֣דֶר neder HNcmsc of the vow solemn vow
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