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Matthew Henry on Numbers 6:1-21
The word Nazarite signifies separation. Some were appointed of God, before their birth, to be Nazarites all their days, as Samson and John the Baptist. But, in general, it was a vow of separation from the world and devo…
The Law Concerning Nazarites. (b. c. 1490.)
THE LAW CONCERNING NAZARITES. (B. C. 1490.) After the law for the discovery and shame of those that by sin had made themselves vile, fitly follows this for the direction and encouragement of those who by their eminent p…
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 6:1-8
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
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,…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:19
The sodden shoulder, or boiled shoulder; the left. The right, or heave shoulder, was already the priest's, according to the general rule (Le Numbers 7:32). That the other shoulder was also "waved" and accepted by God as…
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:20
Shall wave them. By putting his hands under the hands of the Nazirite. On the symbolism of this see Leviticus 7:1-38. Drink wine. Perhaps at the sacrificial feast.
The Pulpit Commentary on Numbers 6:21
This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering. "And of" are not in the text. We should probably read, "This is the law of the Nazirite who hath vowed his offering unto the Lord in accordance with h…