Deuteronomy 23:21
When thou shalt vow a vow unto the Lord thy God, thou shalt not slack to pay it: for the Lord thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
Cross-reference
In Genesis 35:1-3, Jacob returns to Bethel to fulfill his earlier vow, exemplifying the command to pay vows promptly.
Nahum 1:15 calls Judah to perform their vows — reinforcing the duty to fulfill vows as an act of worship and gratitude.
Jonah 2:9 records Jonah’s promise to pay what he vowed — a direct example of fulfilling a vow, aligning with the command not to delay.
Ecclesiastes 5:5 adds that it is better not to vow than to vow and not pay — expanding on the same principle with a practical warning.
Ecclesiastes 5:4 echoes the same command: do not delay paying vows to God. It reinforces the urgency and sin of failing to fulfill them.
Psalm 116:18 shows the psalmist publicly fulfilling his vows, exemplifying the practice required in Deuteronomy 23:21.
Psalm 76:11 commands 'Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God,' nearly quoting the principle of Deuteronomy 23:21.
Psalm 66:13 explicitly states paying vows in the temple, directly echoing the command in Deuteronomy 23:21.
Psalm 56:12 has David declaring he will fulfill his vows to God, reflecting the same obligation as Deuteronomy 23:21.
Numbers 30:2-16 expands on the binding nature of vows and conditions for annulment, complementing the obligation to pay.
Leviticus 27:2-34 provides detailed laws for making and redeeming vows, directly supporting the command to pay them.
Psalm 50:14 commands performing vows to the Most High — a direct parallel urging the same faithful action as payment of vows.
Acts 5:3 shows Ananias lying about a pledged gift — a negative example of failing to keep a vow, illustrating the sin of not paying what was promised.
Matthew 5:34 records Jesus forbidding oaths entirely — contrasting with the OT law that assumes vows are made and must be paid on time.
Leviticus 22:21 specifies that animals offered to fulfill a vow must be without blemish — adding a quality requirement to the act of paying vows.
In Genesis 28:20, Jacob makes a conditional vow, illustrating the practice of vowing that Deuteronomy 23:21 regulates.
Psalm 66:14 explains that the vows being paid were made during times of trouble, adding context to the obligation.
Jonah 1:16 shows the sailors making vows after the storm — an example of people making vows in response to God's deliverance.