Vows of the Nazirites

Numbers Chapter 6

The Lord gave Moses instructions to pass to the Israelites that some of the people, either men or women may take a special vow of a Nazirite and thus set themselves apart in a special way. They must give up wine and other alcohol drinks, not use the vinegar made from wine nor drink other fermented drinks or fresh grape juice nor eat grapes or raisins. So long as they are bound by their vow, they are not allowed to eat or drink anything from the grapevine, not even the grape seeds or skins.

Also, they must never cut their hair throughout the time of their vow (beards also), for they are holy and set apart to the Lord. They may never go near a dead body, even if it is their father, mother, brother or sister. If their hair is defiled because someone suddenly falls dead beside them, they must wait for seven days then shave their heads and they will be cleansed. On the eighth day, they must bring two turtledoves or two pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tabernacle. The priest will offer one bird for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering and thus he makes atonement for the guild they incurred from the dead body. Then the Nazirite must rededicate himself to the Lord and each must bring a one year old lamb for a guilt offering.

This is the ritual law of the Nazirites. At the end of their time of separation, they must go to the Tabernacle and offer sacrifices (found in verses 14 through17) to the Lord. Then they will shave their heads at the entrance to the Tabernacle and put it on the fire beneath the peace offering. The priest will lift up the gifts they bring to the Lord (verses 19 through 20) and after that, they may again drink wine.

BIBLE NOTES show that a solemn vow was as binding as a contract. God used the Nazirite vow for people who wanted to devote their time exclusively to serving him. The vow could be for 30 days or a lifetime and was voluntary except that parents could take the vow for their young children, making them Nazirites for life. It is thought that Samson, Samuel and John the Baptist were Nazirites for life.

At the end of this chapter God gives a blessing – one that is familiar to many of us in today’s world: “May the Lord bless you and protect you, May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you, May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.”

Yours in Christ,
Mary