Disallow
Two Biblical Meanings
The word "disallow" appears in older English translations of the Bible with two related but distinct meanings. In the Old Testament, it translates the Hebrew word "nu" and means to oppose, forbid, or annul, as seen in Numbers 30 regarding the annulment of vows. In the New Testament, it translates the Greek word "apodokimazo," meaning to reject after examination or to consider something worthless, as used in 1 Peter 2:4, 7 regarding the rejection of Christ. Modern translations typically replace "disallow" with clearer terms like "overrule," "nullify," or "reject."
Disallowing Vows in Numbers 30
The most extensive use of "disallow" in its Old Testament sense appears in Numbers 30, which addresses the law of vows. This chapter establishes that when a woman living under her father's authority or her husband's household made a vow to the Lord, the man who held authority over her could either confirm or disallow the vow on the day he heard about it (Numbers 30:5, 8, 11). If he remained silent on the day he learned of the vow, his silence was taken as confirmation. But if he spoke against it immediately, the vow was annulled, and the Lord would release the woman from her obligation (Numbers 30:8). This law recognized both the seriousness of vows before God and the structure of household authority in ancient Israel.
The Rejected Cornerstone
In the New Testament, Peter uses "disallow" (or "reject" in modern translations) to describe what human builders did to Jesus Christ. Quoting Psalm 118:22, Peter writes that Christ is "the stone which the builders disallowed" but which God made the head cornerstone (1 Peter 2:4, 7). The Greek word apodokimazo means to examine something and then declare it unfit for use. The religious leaders of Israel examined Jesus and concluded He was not the Messiah they expected; they rejected Him as unsuitable. Yet God reversed their verdict, making the rejected stone the most important one in the entire building.
The Irony of Human Rejection
The use of "disallow" in 1 Peter 2 carries profound irony. The very ones who should have recognized the Messiah, the religious experts and leaders, were the ones who examined Him and declared Him unworthy. Jesus Himself cited Psalm 118:22 in reference to His own rejection by the religious establishment (Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17). What human authorities disallowed, God exalted to the highest position. This pattern runs throughout Scripture: God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition, and what people reject often becomes the instrument of their salvation.
Authority and Divine Sovereignty
Both uses of "disallow" in Scripture touch on questions of authority. In Numbers 30, a human authority figure could disallow a vow, overriding a subordinate's commitment. In 1 Peter 2, human authorities attempted to disallow God's chosen one but found their rejection overruled by divine sovereignty. The contrast teaches that while human authority has its legitimate sphere, it is always subordinate to God's ultimate authority. No human verdict can overturn God's purposes.
Biblical Context
Disallow appears in Numbers 30:5, 8, 11 regarding the annulment of vows by a father or husband, and in 1 Peter 2:4, 7 (KJV) describing the rejection of Christ as the cornerstone. Jesus quoted the cornerstone passage from Psalm 118:22 in Matthew 21:42, Mark 12:10, and Luke 20:17.
Theological Significance
The concept of disallowing teaches important lessons about authority and divine sovereignty. While human authorities may exercise legitimate power to annul vows or reject persons, God's authority supersedes all human judgments. The rejection of Christ by human builders and His exaltation by God demonstrates that divine purposes cannot be thwarted by human opposition.
Historical Background
The English word 'disallow' in its biblical usage reflects older meanings of the term that have largely fallen out of modern English. The vow laws of Numbers 30 reflect ancient Near Eastern legal practices regarding household authority. The imagery of builders rejecting a stone in Psalm 118 and 1 Peter 2 draws from construction practices in ancient Israel, where stones were carefully examined and either accepted or rejected for building projects.