These were of two kinds: (a) dedication - some person or thing was given to the Lord (Lev. 27: 1-24); (b) abstinence - a promise made to abstain from some lawful act or enjoyment (Num. 6: 3). No unnatural mutilation was permitted (Lev. 19: 28; Deut. 14: 1, etc.). Nothing already holy to the Lord, or intrinsically unholy, or blemished in the slightest degree, could be offered as a vow (Lev. 27: 26; Deut. 23: 18; Lev. 22: 23). Provisions were made for ransoming votive offerings that could not be fitly sacrificed (Lev. 27: 11). The vows of dependent women (wives or daughters) did not stand unless ratified explicitly or implicitly by the husband or father (Num. 30: 3-16; cf. Jer. 44: 19). Vows often had an entreating character; they were offered in order to obtain some favor from Jehovah (Gen. 28: 20; 2 Sam. 15: 7-8).