Numbers 6 (v1-8,22-27), Law of the Nazarite

The first thing is to be sure not to confuse “Nazarite” with “Nazarene.”  Jesus was not a Nazarite but He was the “Nazarene” (from Nazareth in Galilee).  Further, He was the Branch (Messianic name from Isa. 11:1; Hebrew netser).  As Jesus Himself noted, John the Baptist was a Nazarite (Luke 7:33-34).  Nazarite has a similar word background to Nazarene.  A Nazarite (Heb. natzar) is a consecrated or devoted one.  Num. 6:1-21 gives the regulations involving Nazarites.

·       There were two kinds of Nazarites.  Some were born that way, such as Samson (so called in Jud. 13:5), John the Baptist (so described in Luke 1:15) and Samuel (so described by his mother’s vow in 1 Sam. 1:11).  Others assumed the position for a period of time. Paul might have done this (Acts 18:18).  Men or women could be Nazarites (v2). 

·       Nazarites were bound to certain practices that emphasized total devotion to the Lord and not to a normal lifestyle.  These included abstaining from wine and strong drink (v3), not cutting their hair (v5; note that Lev. 14:8-9 indicates this is a symbol of uncleanness), not touching a dead body or mourning the dead (v6-9).

·       In addition, whatever the nature of his vow to the Lord, their might be additional regulations (v21).  If the Nazarite failed in one of these things he was required to start the period of his vow again (v9-12).

·       Upon completion of the period of the vow the Nazarite was to bring offerings to the Lord including burnt, sin, peace, grain and drink offerings (v13-20).

You might think that the openness of this practice (you could likely tell by the long, unmanageable hair) that there was a lot of room for hypocrisy.  But then, that is true of all religious practice.  And the people of Israel were called to a lot of external religious observances.  On the other hand, the required sacrifices might have discouraged people from purely hypocritical worship.

The closing verses of Num. 6 (v22-27) contain the Aaronic Blessing and it is one of the most endearing passages in the Pentateuch.  These words were given to the priests to pronounce God’s blessing on the people of Israel.  But what does it mean that they “blessed” Israel?  Verse 27 tells us: they put the name of the Lord on them!  And if God’s name is on them, then He will bless them.  The OT has many names for God, but I encourage you to consider the LORD’s name in Ex. 34:6-7.

The LORD bless you and keep you;

The LORD make His face shine upon you.

And be gracious to you;

The LORD life up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace!