Numbers 6:4

4 While they are Nazirites, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, even the seeds or the skin.

Numbers 6:4 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 6:4

All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is
made of the vine tree
Of its leaves, branches, and fruit, especially the latter, put into any sort of food, or infused into any liquor, or mixed with any sauce for food: the days or time of separation were according as the vow was made, for a shorter or longer time; though the Jews F20 say, where the vow is, absolutely expressed, it is always to be understood of thirty days, during which time the Nazarite was not to eat or drink of any composition that had anything the vine in it:

from the kernels even to the husk;
the Jews F21 are divided about the two words here used, which of them signifies the outermost part of the grape, and which the innermost; Ben Gersom agrees with us, but it matters not much who are in the right, since both are forbidden: by this part of the law, the people of God, who are spiritual Nazarites, are taught to live temperately and soberly, and to abstain from all appearance of sin: it is pretty remarkable what the Jews F23 say, that when the son of David comes, it will be free for a Nazarite to drink wine on sabbath days and festivals, though not on week days; from whence it appears, they seem to be conscious of a change of the ceremonial law in his days.


FOOTNOTES:

F20 Misn. Nazir, c. 1. sect. 3. & c. 6. sect. 3.
F21 Misn. Nazir, c. 6. sect. 2. Aben Ezra in loc.
F23 T. Bab. Erubin, fol. 43. 1.

Numbers 6:4 In-Context

2 "Tell the Israelites: 'If men or women want to promise to belong to the Lord in a special way, they will be called Nazirites.
3 During this time, they must not drink wine or beer, or vinegar made from wine or beer. They must not even drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.
4 While they are Nazirites, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, even the seeds or the skin.
5 "'During the time they have promised to belong to the Lord, they must not cut their hair. They must be holy until this special time is over. They must let their hair grow long.
6 During their special time of belonging to the Lord, Nazirites must not go near a dead body.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.