Numbers Chapter 6    

The term “Nazirite” is derived from the Hebrew word nazir, which means “separated” (“Nazirite” should not be confused with “Nazarene,” which refers to a person who comes from the town of Nazareth).

Ordinarily, a person makes the Nazirite vow for themselves and sets the duration of the vow, and during that time the person commits to being “separated,” or especially holy to God (Num. 6:8). Although there are incidences when a parent makes the vow for the child such as Hannah apparently did with Samuel (1 Sam. 1:11), those would be rare. The phrase “all the days of his separation” (Num. 6:4; cp. Num. 6:4-6) indicates the limited time of the vow.

According to the book of Numbers, the Nazirite vow required the man or woman who made the vow to observe the following:

• Abstain from wine, beer, wine vinegar, grapes (of things from grapes such as seeds), grape juice, or raisins (Num. 6:3).
• Do not cut your hair but allow it to grow (Num. 6:5).
• Do not touch a dead body (Num. 6:6).

If the Nazirite breaks the vow, he or she must shave their head and do sacrifices (Num. 6:9-11). When the period of the vow is over, there is a lot to be done, including bringing a year-old male lamb as a burnt offering; a year-old female lamb as a sin offering; and a ram as a fellowship offering; and unleavened bread and a drink offering (Num. 6:12-21).

In spite of the fact that the Nazirite is supposed to be separated from sin and holy to God, at the end of the time of the vow the person is to bring a sin offering. This had led to serious discussion among the rabbis—is the person holy or a sinner—but it likely simply points to the fact that Ecclesiastes is correct when it says, “Surely there is not a righteous person on earth who does good and does not sin” (Eccles. 7:20). Despite our best human efforts to be holy, we often sin.

“vinegar made from wine.” This refers to any drink made from wine that has been allowed to sour or ferment.

“fermented drink.” This would include beer, which was a common drink.

“nor eat fresh or dried grapes.” In the hot climate of the biblical world (and the grape harvest was usually in July), grapes would begin to ferment and produce alcohol very quickly, so no grapes could be eaten.

“his dedicated head of hair.” Literally, “the head of his separation.”

“the dead person.” The Hebrew just has “the nephesh,” that is, the “soul” or the “person,” but the context makes it clear it was the dead person. In Hebrew just as in English, a dead “person” is still referred to as a “person” even after they are dead. They will be raised from the dead and judged at one of the resurrections.

“his days as a Nazirite.” Or, perhaps, “the days of his separation” [as a Nazirite].

“a peace offering.” The Hebrew form of the word is always plural (thus some English translations, “peace offerings”), but it was a single sacrifice and should be understood as “a peace offering.”

“loaves.” In the biblical world, a “loaf” of bread was like a pancake, not like a modern loaf of bread.

“approach with them.” The verb is the same as “approach” in the approach offering (Num. 6:14; Lev. 1:2). The priest would offer the sacrifices on the altar in front of the Tent of Meeting (the “Tabernacle”). However, he was to “approach” (or “come near to”) God with the approach offering that gave him entre to Yahweh, the Holy One of Israel. We now approach God boldly and freely due to the “approach offering” of Jesus Christ.

“may drink wine.” This is a permission, not a command. The Nazirite may drink if he or she wants to.

“he can provide.” The Hebrew is more idiomatic: “whatever else his hand can reach.”

“keep you.” The blessing is for divine protection and that Yahweh would protect, guard, watch over, and care for Israel.

“peace.” The Hebrew word “shalom” means much more than just “peace.” It refers to being healthy, prosperous, and whole.