Numbers 6:1-27

The Law of the Nazirite. The Priestly Benediction

1-21. The Law of the Nazirite.

A Nazirite (from Heb. nazir, 'to separate') is a man or woman 'separated,' i.e consecrated to Jehovah by means of a special vow of abstinence. The word has no connexion with 'Nazarene,' which means an inhabitant of Nazareth. During the period of his vow the Nazirite comes under a threefold obligation, (1) to abstain strictly from wine and all products of the vine, whether intoxicating or not (Numbers 6:3); (2) to let his hair grow (Numbers 6:5); and (3) to avoid all ceremonial defilement through contact with a dead body, even that of a near relative (Numbers 6:7). If he is accidentally defiled by the sudden death of any one beside him, he must perform rites of purification, and reconsecrate himself, counting as null whatever part of the period of the original vow may have elapsed (Numbers 6:9). At the expiration of his vow he presents certain sacrifices (Numbers 6:13), shaves his head and offers his hair upon the altar, and returns to ordinary life (Numbers 6:18). The Nazirite's vow may either be for a limited period, which is the case supposed in this passage, or for life. The antiquity of the rite is shown by what is related of Samson (Judges 13:5), and of Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), who are usually regarded as lifelong Nazirites. It is also referred to in Amos 2:12. The Nazirite was not a hermit, but a very active devotee of Jehovah. He was very jealous for the Lord God of Israel, and while the vow of consecration and abstinence may sometimes have been undertaken for private and personal reasons, as e.g. to obtain the fulfilment of a desire, it was in many cases the expression of a religious and patriotic zeal, which sought to protect the primitive simplicity of Israel from the corrupting and enervating influences of heathen civilisations and religions. In this respect the Nazirites had much in common with the prophets, with whom they are classed in Amos 2:11, as being 'raised up' by Jehovah Himself. In NT; references to the Nazirite vow are supposed to be found in Luke 1:15 (John the Baptist), in Acts 18:18 (St. Paul), and Acts 21:24.