Proverbs 20:25

"It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry."

Again, we have a proverb in which the Hebrew text, "Is not clear."[22] The `inquiry' mentioned in the second line apparently refers to a situation in which a man, after making a rash and vow, begins to seek some loophole, "So as to escape payment."[23]

Sometimes, people, under a sudden impulse will make pledges for benevolent or religious purposes, which are really beyond their means; and this proverb is a warning against such behavior. "It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vow."[24] "Jephthah is a startling example of one falling into the snare that is mentioned here (Judges 11:34-40)."[25] Jonah's mention in his prayer from the fish's belly that he would pay his vows is a strong indication that he also had made some rash vows (Jonah 2:9). "The Pharisees developed a casuistry regarding gifts to the Temple that Jesus condemned (Matthew 23:16-22)."[26]