English · KJV
H632

אֱסָר

ʼĕçâr /es-sawr'/ Ask about this word
Rootor אִסָּר · from אָסַר
Meaningan obligation or vow (of abstinence)
KJV usagebinding, bond.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʼĕçâr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼĕçâr, represented by H632, defines an obligation or vow (of abstinence), often translated as a binding or bond. It is derived from the root word אָסַר (ʼâçar), meaning to bind. It appears 11 times across 10 unique verses, with all occurrences concentrated in a single chapter of the Bible.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In its biblical usage, H632 is exclusively found in Numbers 30, where it outlines the laws concerning vows. It specifies a self-imposed obligation that is intended to "bind his soul" Numbers 30:2. For a man, such a bond is absolute and must be fulfilled. However, for a woman, the validity of her bond is subject to the authority of her father or husband. If a father hears of his daughter's bond and holds his peace, her bond shall stand Numbers 30:4. Conversely, if a husband hears of his wife's bond and chooses to make it void, it shall not stand, and the LORD will forgive her Numbers 30:12.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context and gravity of an H632 bond:

  • H631 ʼâçar (bind, fast, gird): As the primitive root of ʼĕçâr, this word describes the action of making the bond. It is used in the phrase "to bind his soul with a bond" Numbers 30:2.
  • H5088 neder (a promise (to God); vow): This term for a vow is almost always used in parallel with ʼĕçâr, highlighting the serious, promissory nature of the obligation being undertaken Numbers 30:13.
  • H5106 nûwʼ (to refuse, forbid, disallow): This word signifies the power of a father or husband to invalidate a bond. If a father "disallow" his daughter, her bonds do not stand Numbers 30:5.
  • H6965 qûwm (to rise, establish, make to stand): This is the opposite of disallowing a bond. A bond that is not made void is said to "stand" or be established by the authority figure Numbers 30:7.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H632 is demonstrated in its specific legal context:

  • Binding the Soul: An ʼĕçâr is not a casual promise but a "bond of her soul" H5315, indicating an obligation that affects a person's entire being and vitality Numbers 30:12.
  • Headship and Annulment: The laws surrounding H632 establish a clear principle of familial and spiritual authority. A father or husband has the power to either establish H6965 or make void H6565 a woman's bond, and his decision is tied to divine forgiveness Numbers 30:13.
  • Consent through Silence: The act of "holding one's peace" H2790 is treated as active confirmation. If a husband remains silent on the day he hears of his wife's bond, he "establisheth all her vows, or all her bonds" Numbers 30:14.

Summary

In summary, H632 is a highly specific term for a binding obligation of abstinence. Its usage in scripture is focused entirely on the regulations for vows within the Israelite community. It illustrates the profound seriousness of promises made before God and highlights the principles of authority, responsibility, and consent within the family structure as outlined in the law.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 11 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • אִסָּר
  • אֱסָרֶי
  • אֱסָרָ

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H631 אָסַר a primitive root; to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle; bind, fast, gird, harness, hold, H5088 נֶדֶר or נֵדֶר; from נָדַר; a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised; vow(-ed). H5106 נוּא a primitive root; to refuse, forbid, dissuade, or neutralize; break, disallow, discourage, make of none effect. H6965 קוּם a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [i H5315 נֶפֶשׁ from נָפַשׁ; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accomm H6565 פָּרַר a primitive root; to break up (usually figuratively), i.e. to violate, frustrate; [idiom] any ways, break (asunder), cas

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

10 verses, all in Numbers — and none of the other 38 Old Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.