Numbers 10:36

10:36 And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!” ¹ 

Numbers 30:13

30:13 “Any vow or sworn obligation that would bring affliction to her, ²  her husband can confirm or nullify. ³ 

Numbers 32:24

32:24 So build cities for your descendants and pens for your sheep, but do what you have said ⁴  you would do.”

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¹ sn These two formulaic prayers were offered by Moses at the beginning and at the end of the journeys. They prayed for the Lord to fight ahead of the nation when it was on the move, and to protect them when they camped. The theme of the first is found in Ps 68:1. The prayers reflect the true mentality of holy war, that it was the Lord who fought for Israel and defended her. The prayers have been included in the prayer book for synagogue services.

² tn The sentence uses the infinitive construct לְעַנֹּת (lÿ’annot, “to afflict”), which is the same word used in the instructions for the day of atonement in which people are to afflict themselves (their souls). The case here may be that the woman would take a religious vow on such an occasion to humble herself, to mortify her flesh, to abstain from certain things, perhaps even sexual relations within marriage.

³ tn Heb “or her husband can nullify.”

⁴ tn Heb “that which goes out/has gone out of your mouth.”