Portion For Reading Num 4-6Num 6:1-8 The LORD said to Moses, "Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. "
'During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long. Throughout the period of his separation to the LORD he must not go near a dead body. Even if his own father or mother or brother or sister dies, he must not make himself ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of his separation to God is on his head. Throughout the period of his separation he is consecrated to the LORD.
(from Hebrew nazar, “to abstain from,” or “to consecrate oneself to”), among the ancient Hebrews, a sacred person whose separation was most commonly marked by his uncut hair and his abstinence from wine.
The biblical Nazirite did not lead a monastic existence apart but, to the contrary, was an active participant in all his familiar and communal affairs. What set him apart from his fellows was his meticulous observance of three prohibitions: he was forbidden to cut his hair, to drink wine, and to come in contact with a corpse.
The biblical Nazirite did not lead a monastic existence apart but, to the contrary, was an active participant in all his familiar and communal affairs. What set him apart from his fellows was his meticulous observance of three prohibitions: he was forbidden to cut his hair, to drink wine, and to come in contact with a corpse.
The uncut hair of the Nazirite was truly his distinction.[2] In this respect, he differed from the priest who, though forbidden to shave his hair, was compelled to trim it.[3] Thus the Nazirite could always be recognized by his appearance and it is no wonder that the term for Nazirite can also refer to his hair.[4] The possibility exists that during Israel's early wars to conquer the land of Canaan, whole armies would vow not to cut their hair until victory was won. This would explain Samson's lifelong dedication to battle the Philistines, the association of Nazirites (and prophets) with the conquest in Amos 2:10-11, and the possible Nazirite vow taken by Deborah's soldiers.[5]
The offering of hair is also attested in later times in ancient Babylonia, Syria, Greece, and Arabia. The Syrian Lucian's comment merits quotation: "The young men make an offering of their beards, while the young women let their 'sacred locks' grow from birth and when they finally come to the temple, they cut them. When they have placed them in containers, some of silver and many of gold, they nail them up to the temple, and they depart after each inscribes his name. When I was still a youth I, too, performed this ceremony and even now my locks and name are in the sanctuary."
The word Nazirene comes from the biblical term Nazir, which denotes one who is under a vow. Thus, the Commandment of the Lord reads: "The LORD said to Moses, Speak to the Israelites and say to them: If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of separation to the LORD as a Nazirite, he must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or from other fermented drink. He must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. As long as he is a Nazirite, he must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins. During the entire period of his vow of separation no razor may be used on his head. He must be holy until the period of his separation to the LORD is over; he must let the hair of his head grow long. Throughout the period of his separation to the LORD he must not go near a dead body. Even if his own father or mother or brother or sister dies, he must not make himself ceremonially unclean on account of them, because the symbol of his separation to God is on his head. Throughout the period of his separation he is consecrated to the LORD" (Num 6:1-8 NIV).
A Nazir or Nazirene, is one who takes a vow to abstain from the things of this world, and consecrate himself to God. A Nazirene has always been used in reference to a Holy Man who possessed the gift of spiritual vision, knowledge, prophesy, psychic perception and ecstatic insight into man's higher reality.
What is the difference between a Nazarene and a Nazirene?
Historically, the Nazarenes were known as a sect of Jews practicing a Messianic form of Karaite Judaism as given in Torah. The early believers in Yashua including the Apostles were Nazarene Jews. The Apostle Paul is referred to as a ringleader of the Nazarene Jews. "For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5 NKJ)
Nazirites, on the other hand, are those who have taken the vow of the Nazirite, a vow of separation (Numbers 6:1-21). Nazirites start the vow by shaving their head and then let their hair grow long, they do not cut the hair on their head and they do not eat anything from the grape vine, and neither do they come into contact with anything that is dead. The Apostle Paul was not only a Nazarene, he was also a Nazirite: "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow" (Acts 18:18 KJV). "Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law" (Acts 21:23-24 KJV).
The word Nazarene also shares the same root as Nazirite and Nazirene, which means that they share something in common. It is believed that it was a common practice for many, if not all new Male believers in Yeshua, to take the vow of the Nazirite. After all Yeshua himself was a Nazirite and the Scripture says that we ought to live as he did: "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6 NKJ).The vow of the Nazirite is a vow of separation -- separation unto G-d -- separation from the world and its ways. The literal meaning of the word Nazirite is set-apart and the word 'holy' also means set-apart. The very idea of being a Nazirite is to live a 'holy' life. Nazirites are highly revered by the Father and are named with the Prophets: "I raised up some of your sons as prophets, and some of your young men as Nazirites. Is it not so, O you children of Israel? Says the LORD" (Amos 2:11 NKJ).
What is the difference between a Nazarene and a Nazirene?
Historically, the Nazarenes were known as a sect of Jews practicing a Messianic form of Karaite Judaism as given in Torah. The early believers in Yashua including the Apostles were Nazarene Jews. The Apostle Paul is referred to as a ringleader of the Nazarene Jews. "For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5 NKJ)
Nazirites, on the other hand, are those who have taken the vow of the Nazirite, a vow of separation (Numbers 6:1-21). Nazirites start the vow by shaving their head and then let their hair grow long, they do not cut the hair on their head and they do not eat anything from the grape vine, and neither do they come into contact with anything that is dead. The Apostle Paul was not only a Nazarene, he was also a Nazirite: "And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow" (Acts 18:18 KJV). "Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law" (Acts 21:23-24 KJV).
The word Nazarene also shares the same root as Nazirite and Nazirene, which means that they share something in common. It is believed that it was a common practice for many, if not all new Male believers in Yeshua, to take the vow of the Nazirite. After all Yeshua himself was a Nazirite and the Scripture says that we ought to live as he did: "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked" (1 John 2:6 NKJ).The vow of the Nazirite is a vow of separation -- separation unto G-d -- separation from the world and its ways. The literal meaning of the word Nazirite is set-apart and the word 'holy' also means set-apart. The very idea of being a Nazirite is to live a 'holy' life. Nazirites are highly revered by the Father and are named with the Prophets: "I raised up some of your sons as prophets, and some of your young men as Nazirites. Is it not so, O you children of Israel? Says the LORD" (Amos 2:11 NKJ).