Deuteronomy 23:21

“When you make a vow to YHWH your Elohim, you shall not delay to pay it, for YHWH your Elohim will surely require it of you, and it will be sin in you.”

Deuteronomy 23:21 · direct translation from the Hebrew
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With the Hebrew beneath

21

Deuteronomy 23:21, word by word

you makeתִדֹּרtidor

vow

Make a vow: promise something to God.

Where else “tidor” appears
a vowנֶדֶרneder

vow

Vow: a solemn promise made to God; also the thing promised.

Where else “neder” appears
to YHWHיהוָהyhva

YHWH

The personal name of the God of Israel, written in Hebrew with four letters, Y-H-W-H, without vowels. Out of reverence Jews stopped pronouncing it and read "Adonai" (Lord), so many Bibles put "the LORD" or "Jehovah". This translation keeps the four letters. The name is related to the verb "to be" (Exodus 3:14-15). He is not a god other than Elohim: "YHWH Elohim" is the same Creator God, called by his name.

Where else “yhva” appears
your Elohimאֱלֹהֶיelohe

Elohim

The one true God, the Creator; the word is plural but means one.

Where else “elohe” appears
delayתְאַחֵרteacher

delay

Delay, hold back; stay late.

Where else “teacher” appears
to pay itשַׁלְּמshalm

repay

To settle a debt, give back; keep a vow.

Where else “shalm” appears
will surely require itדָּרֹשׁdarosh

require

To investigate, or hold to account.

Where else “darosh” appears
and it will beהָיָהhaya

be

To be: "I will be their Elohim".

Where else “haya” appears
sinחֵטְאchet

offense, sin

Offense, sin; its penalty.

Where else “chet” appears

The context

20To the foreigner you may charge interest, but to your brother you shall not charge interest, so that YHWH your Elohim may bless you in every undertaking of your hand in the land that you are going into to possess it.

21 · This verse (above)

22But if you refrain from vowing, it will not be sin in you.

Read all of Deuteronomy 23

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