Numbers 5-6 – February 25

 

Nazirite – not to be confused with Nazarene, this word has nothing to do a geographic location. It is from the Hebrew word “nâzı̂yr  or  nâzir” - separate, consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); set apart

 Some Israelites would take a vow, usually for a limited time, that involved no wine/strong drink, no haircuts, and no touching dead people. It was a time of consecrated service to God to live a holy life.

It is also mentioned in Amos 2 when God is passing judgement on Judah and Israel.

 Amos 2: 11 “Then I raised up some of your sons to be prophets And some of your young men to be Nazirites.  Is this not so, O sons of Israel?” declares the Lord. 12 “But you made the Nazirites drink wine, And you commanded the prophets saying, ‘You shall not prophesy!’

 Also, it seems that Luke wrote about Nazirite vows in Acts.

 Acts 21:23 Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;

 Acts 18:18 Paul, having remained many days longer, took leave of the brethren and put out to sea for Syria, and with him were Priscilla and Aquila. In Cenchrea he had his hair cut, for he was keeping a vow.

 

William Barclay writes that Paul probably took a Nazirite vow because of his thankfulness for God’s blessings or deliverance.

After 30 days of no meat, no wine, and no haircuts; he made certain offerings and his head would be shorn and the hair would be burned on the altar as an offering to God.

(The Daily Study Bible – Acts of the Apostles, William Barclay, 1955)