נָדַר
𐤍𐤃𐤓
nâdar
H5087 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To make a vow, specifically a binding promise or dedication, often to a deity, typically involving a specific act, abstention, or offering; in broader usage, to pledge oneself to an action or condition under conditions of solemnity, beyond ordinary obligations. The semantic range includes the initiating of a vow, the act or process of vowing, and occasionally the fulfillment or discharge of such a vow.
Semantic Range
to vow, to pledge, to dedicate (especially to a deity), to make a solemn promise, to make a votive offering, to bind oneself by an obligation
Root / Etymology
Root נדר (נ-ד-ר) meaning 'to vow,' with the verbal form representing the act of making a binding promise or solemn dedication. The noun (נֵדֶר) is derived directly from the root and likewise centers on the concept of vow or votive offering.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, נָדַר is the standard verb for a human's vow or solemn promise directed toward the deity, usually the Israelite God, but is also known in broader Northwest Semitic contexts. Vows (נדֶר) were seen as self-imposed and voluntary obligations, going beyond what was already required, and included dedicatory offerings, abstentions (parallel to the Nazirite vow), or pledges contingent upon divine favor. While generally neutral or positive, the seriousness of a vow is underscored: one is expected to fulfill that which is vowed, and failure to do so is treated as a significant offense (Deut. 23:21–23; Eccl. 5:4–5). The root is distinct from related terms for sworn oaths (שָׁבַע, which focuses on 'swearing' or oath-taking, usually invoking God as witness) and differs from the verb אָסַר (to bind, sometimes used metaphorically for binding obligations). Vowing was especially prominent in periods of crisis or transition (Gen. 28:20–22; Num. 21:2; Ps. 66:13–14). In post-exilic and Second Temple literature, ritual and legal clarifications about vows become more elaborate, but the foundational sense remains stable. Early translations often render נָדַר as 'vow,' but later English traditions sometimes narrow the meaning, not always reflecting its broader ancient usage.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; to promise (pos., to do or give something to God); (make a) vow.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נדר (n-d-r) — to vow, to dedicate, to promise solemnly
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5088 | נֶדֶר | to my vows |
Word Forms
17 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5087-11 |
תִדֹּ֥ר | tidor | HVqi3fs |
she vows | she vows | 6 |
H5087-17 |
יִדֹּר֒ | yidor | HVqi3ms |
he vows | he vows | 3 |
H5087-04 |
נָדָ֑ר | nadar | HVqp3ms |
vowed | he vowed | 3 |
H5087-13 |
וַ/יִּדַּ֥ר | vayidar | HC/Vqw3ms |
And Jephthah vowed | and he vowed | 3 |
H5087-02 |
לִ/נְדֹּר֙ | linedor | HR/Vqc |
vow | to vow | 2 |
H5087-08 |
נָדַ֥רְתִּי | nadareti | HVqp1cs |
I have vowed | I vowed | 2 |
H5087-07 |
נָדַ֥רְתָּ | nadareta | HVqp2ms |
you have vowed | you vowed | 2 |
H5087-14 |
וַֽ/יִּדְּר֖וּ | vayideru | HC/Vqw3mp |
and they vowed | and they vowed | 1 |
H5087-01 |
הַ/נֹּדֵ֔ר | hanoder | HTd/Vqrmsa |
of the vower | the one who vows | 1 |
H5087-12 |
וַ/תִּדֹּ֨ר | vatidor | HC/Vqw3fs |
and she vowed | and she vowed | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
31 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5087-13 |
Genesis 28:20 | וַ/יִּדַּ֥ר | vayidar | HC/Vqw3ms |
made a vow | and he vowed |
H5087-07 |
Genesis 31:13 | נָדַ֥רְתָּ | nadareta | HVqp2ms |
you made | you vowed |
H5087-01 |
Leviticus 27:8 | הַ/נֹּדֵ֔ר | hanoder | HTd/Vqrmsa |
of the vower | the one who vows |
H5087-02 |
Numbers 6:2 | לִ/נְדֹּר֙ | linedor | HR/Vqc |
vow | to vow |
H5087-17 |
Numbers 6:21 | יִדֹּר֒ | yidor | HVqi3ms |
vows | he vows |
H5087-17 |
Numbers 6:21 | יִדֹּ֔ר | yidor-2 | HVqi3ms |
he vows | he vows |
H5087-13 |
Numbers 21:2 | וַ/יִּדַּ֨ר | vayidar | HC/Vqw3ms |
and vowed | and he vowed |
H5087-17 |
Numbers 30:3 | יִדֹּ֨ר | yidor | HVqi3ms |
makes a vow | he vows |
H5087-11 |
Numbers 30:4 | תִדֹּ֥ר | tidor | HVqi3fs |
she vows | she vows |
H5087-05 |
Numbers 30:11 | נָדָ֑רָה | nadarah | HVqp3fs |
she vowed | she made a vow |