THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. It is thus essential that we honor our commitments to God, and anyone who has made a promise should fulfill it promptly, as neglecting to do so is a grave and perilous matter, in my view, and as affirmed by Holy Scripture. If we recognize that it is disgraceful to be accused of deceit, how can it not be even more shameful to make a vow before God and then to fail in that promise? Consequently, the law holds accountable anyone who has made a vow and has delayed in its fulfillment, as well as those who have not fulfilled it at all; yet it exonerates those who possess nothing of their own and are under necessary obligations or authority of another.
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The book of Numbers states: “And Moses spake unto the chiefs of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, This is what the Lord hath commanded: if a man make a vow unto the Lord, or swear by an oath, having put a vow upon his soul, he shall not break his word, but shall fulfil all that came out of his mouth. If a woman shall make a vow unto the Lord, and put a vow upon herself in her father's house, in her youth, and her father shall hear her vow, and the vow which she hath put upon her soul, and her father shall be silent concerning it, then all her vows shall take place, and every vow which she hath put upon her soul shall take place; but if her father, when he hears, forbid her, all her vows and her vows which she hath put upon her soul shall not come to pass, and the Lord shall forgive her, because her father hath forbidden her” (Num. 30:2-6). Furthermore, it is stated that if a woman is married under the law, the same regulations shall apply (Num. 30:7-9).