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The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:24
He shall cause the woman to drink. This is said by anticipation, because she did not really drink it until after the offering (Numbers 5:26).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:25
Offer it upon the altar. According to tile law of the minchah (Leviticus 2:1-16), only an handful was burnt as a "memorial" (Hebrew, azkarah), the rest being "presented,'' and then laid at the side of the altar to be su…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:27
Shall enter into her, and become bitter. Rather, "as bitter," or "as bitterness," i.e. as producing bitter sufferings. Shall be a curse, i.e; shall be used as an example in the imprecations of the people.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:28
And shall conceive seed. As a sign of the Divine favour; to a Jewish woman the surest and most regarded (1 Samuel 2:5; Psalms 127:3; Luke 1:58).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 5:29
This is the law of jealousies. A law prescribed by God, and yet in substance borrowed from half civilized heathens; a practice closely akin to yet prevalent superstitious, and yet receiving not only the toleration of Mo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:1-8
THE TEMPORARY VOW OF THE NAZARITE SYMBOLICAL OF THE LIFELONG VOW OF THE CHRISTIAN Though the Israelites had a priesthood, they were themselves "a kingdom of priests." Individual responsibility toward God was pressed upo…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:1-21
INDIVIDUAL CONSECRATION TO GOD In this section we have, spiritually, the consecration of the individual life to God as a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice (Romans 12:1). This consecration was the ideal for all Isra…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:1-21
EXPOSITION THE VOW Or THE NAZIRITE (Numbers 6:1-21). Note.—The Hebrew Nazir has been written Nazarite in English under the mistaken impression that there is some connection between Nazir and Nazarene (Matthew 2:23). A v…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:1-21
SEPARATED TO THE SERVICE OF GOD (the law of the Nazarite). This passage, barren and unpromising as it looks, is nevertheless invested with an undying interest by the circumstance that three of the most famous men in the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:2
THE NAZARITE'S VOW "When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite," etc. Here we meet with the Nazarite's vow as something already in existence, and needing to be regulated. The fact that…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:2
Either man or woman. It was not a little remarkable that women could be Nazirites, because, generally speaking, the religious condition of women under the law was so markedly inferior and so little considered. But this…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:3-21
THE REGULATIONS FOR OBSERVANCE OF THE NAZARITE'S VOW As a vow of separation, it was to be observed in as significant a way as possible. It was not only a separation in heart and sympathy, but it had its signs, which pla…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:3
Strong drink. Hebrew, shekar; σίκερα (Le Numbers 10:9; Luke 1:15). Any intoxicating drink, other than wine including the beer of the Egyptians. Vinegar. Hebrew, chamets. It seems to have been freely used by the poorer…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:4
From the kernels oven to the husk, or skin. Of grape-skins it is said that cakes were made which were considered a delicacy (Hosea 3:1, mistranslated "flagons of wine"), but this is doubtful. The Septuagint has οἷνον…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:5
There shall no razor come upon his head. The meaning of this law is best understood from the case of Samson, whose strength was in his hair, and departed from him when his hair was cut. No doubt that strength was a more…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:7
He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother. The same injunction had been given to the priests (Le Numbers 21:12)—"for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him." A similar reason res…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:9
If any man die very suddenly by him. עָלָיו, in his presence, or neighbourhood, so that, having hastened to his assistance, lie found himself in contact with a corpse. This ease is mentioned particularly, because it was…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:10
Two turtles, or two young pigeons. The same offerings had been prescribed for those defiled by divers unclean-nesses in Leviticus 15:1-33 (cf. Le Leviticus 12:8).
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:11
For that he sinned by the dead. This is one of the cases in which the law seemed to teach plainly that an outward, accidental, and involuntary defilement was sin, and had need to be atoned for. The opposite principle wa…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:12
For a trespass offering. Rather, "for a guilt offering." Hebrew, asham (see Leviticus 5:1-19). The asham always implied guilt, even though it might be purely legal, and it was to be offered in this case in acknowledgmen…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:13
When the days of his separation are fulfilled. The original law contemplated only a vow for a certain period, longer or shorter. All the Nazirites, however, of whom we read in Scripture were lifelong Nazirites: Samson (…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:14
He shall offer his offering. This offering included all the four ordinary sacrifices—the sin offering, the burnt offering, the peace offering, and the meat offering. For the meaning of these see Leviticus 4:1-35; Leviti…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:15
A basket of unleavened bread … anointed with oil. Required for every sacrifice of thanksgiving, as this was (Le Numbers 7:12). And their meat offering, and their drink offerings, i.e; the gifts of meal, oil, and wine wh…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:18
Shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and shall put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. It is not said, nor intended, that the hair was offered to God as a sacrifice. If so,…