Literatur des Zweiten Tempels zu Bamidbar 30:10

[63] For this reason also the vows and determinations of the soul are annulled, when they have been made in the house of father or husband (Numb. 30:4 ff.), if the reason and reflection do not hold their peace and so add their weight to the soul’s failure, but remove the offence; for in that case the Lord of all also “shall cleanse her.” But he leaves with no removal the vow of a widow or of her that is cast off: “for whatever vows she shall have vowed,” he says, “against her soul, abide for her” (Numb. 30:10). And this is reasonable. For if she has been cast off and gone forth to the parts outside, not turning merely but sinning by overt deeds, she abides incurable with no part in a husband’s admonition and deprived of her father’s persuasion.

Loss of virtue (another meaning given to “nakedness”) is illustrated by Noah’s lapse (Gen. 9:21). And the indications which Philo finds in the narrative that the lapse was not irretrievable are illustrated by the provision in the Law that vows made only in intent may be rescinded (Numb. 30:10). (60 ff.)

[146] Let us then, who are convicted by consciousness of our own acts of unrighteousness, beseech God to punish us rather than let us alone. For if He lets us alone, He will make us servants, not as before, of Himself the gracious One, but of the creation that has no pity; but if He punishes us, He will of His gracious goodness gently and kindly correct our faults, by sending forth into our mind His own word, that reproves and chastens, by means of which He will upbraid it, and make it ashamed of its errors, and so will heal it. It is for this reason that the lawgiver says that “whatever one widowed and ejected shall have vowed against her soul” shall stand for her (Numb. 30:10).