Num 6:1-21 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Num 6:1-21: 6:1-21 The voluntary Nazirite vow allowed men or women to set themselves apart for the Lord. There was considerable variation in how the Nazirite lifestyle was practiced in various periods of Hebrew history. Vows were taken very seriously in ancient times as a well-established means of expressing devotion or gratitude to God. This vow could be temporary or permanent; it involved refraining from alcoholic drinks, hair cutting, and contact with corpses. Nazirite restrictions gave members of non-Levitical tribes a way to enter into a more demanding and highly respected relationship with God. The Nazirite vow is probably best known because of Samson (Judg 13–16 ). See also 1 Sam 1:11 ; Jer 35 ; Acts 18:8 ; 21:23-26 ; cp. Luke 1:15 .

Summary for Num 6:1-21: 6:1-21 ^a The voluntary Nazirite vow allowed men or women to set themselves apart for the Lord. There was considerable variation in how the Nazirite lifestyle was practiced in various periods of Hebrew history. Vows were taken very seriously in ancient times as a well-established means of expressing devotion or gratitude to God. This vow could be temporary or permanent; it involved refraining from alcoholic drinks, hair cutting, and contact with corpses. Nazirite restrictions gave members of non-Levitical tribes a way to enter into a more demanding and highly respected relationship with God. The Nazirite vow is probably best known because of Samson (Judg 13–16 ^b). See also 1 Sam 1:11 ^c; Jer 35 ^d; Acts 18:8 ^e; 21:23-26 ^f; cp. Luke 1:15 ^g.
6:2 ^h Nazirite: The Hebrew term nazir is derived from a verb that means “to separate.”
Summary for Num 6:3-4: 6:3-4 ⁱ The law required priests to avoid drinking wine before they served in the Tabernacle (Lev 10:9 ^j); the Nazirite vow allowed non-Levites to broaden that law to include all places, all times, and anything that comes from a grapevine.
6:5 ^k Hair had special symbolic significance (cp. Lev 19:27 ^l); religious persons often left their hair uncut or shaved it off entirely (Num 8:5-7 ^m). The Israelites were not expected to leave their hair entirely uncut, but the Nazirites were.
Summary for Num 6:6-8: 6:6-8 ⁿ Dead bodies defiled whoever touched them (9:6-10 ^o). Priests were only allowed to touch the dead bodies of close relatives (Lev 21:1-4 ^p), but even that was forbidden to Nazirites.
Summary for Num 6:9-21: 6:9-21 ^q Provisions were made for restoring purity in cases of unavoidable contact with a corpse. Special procedures and offerings brought the period of the Nazirite vow to a conclusion. A stern warning is added about actually fulfilling the vow (6:21 ^r).