Bamidbar 6

1 And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

2 Speak unto the Bnei Yisroel, and say unto them, When either ish or isha shall separate themselves to vow a neder of a Nazir, to separate themselves unto Hashem;

3 He shall separate himself from yayin and shekhar (fermented drink), and shall drink no chometz (vinegar) of yayin, or chometz of shekhar, neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat moist grapes, or dried (i.e., raisins).

4 Kol hayamim of his nazir (vow as a nazir) shall he eat nothing that is made of the gefen hayayin, from the seeds even to the grape-skins.

5 Kol hayamim of the neder of his nazir there shall no razor come upon his head; until hayamim be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto Hashem, he shall be kadosh, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.

6 Kol hayamei of his separation unto Hashem he shall go not near nefesh met (dead body).

7 He shall not make himself tameh for his av, or for his em, for his ach, or for his achot, when they die; because the Nezer Elohav (Consecration of his G-d) is upon his head.

8 Kol yemei of his nazir (separation) he is kadosh unto Hashem.

9 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath made tameh the head of his nezer (consecration); then he shall shave his head in the yom of his tohorat, on the yom hashevi’i shall he shave it.

10 And on the yom hashemi’ni he shall bring two doves, or two young pigeons, to the kohen, to the entrance of the Ohel Mo’ed;

11 And the kohen shall offer the one for a chattat (sin offering), and the other for an olah (burnt offering), and make kapporah for him, because he sinned by the nefesh (dead body), and shall make kadosh his head that same day.

12 And he shall consecrate unto Hashem the yemei of his nazir, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for an asham (trespass offering); but the yamim harishonim shall not be counted, because his nazir was tameh.

13 And this is the Torat HaNazir, when the yamim of his nazir are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the entrance of the Ohel Mo’ed;

14 And he shall offer his korban unto Hashem, one helamb of the first year tamim (without blemish) for an olah (burnt offering), and one ewe lamb of the first year temimah (without blemish) for a chattat, and one ram tamim (without blemish) for shlamim (peace offerings),

15 And a basket of matzot, cakes of fine flour mingled with shemen, and wafers of matzot meshuchim (anointed) with oil, and their minchot (grain offerings), and their nesakim (drink offerings).

16 And the kohen shall bring them before Hashem, and shall offer his chattat, and his olah (burnt offering);

17 And he shall offer the ram for a zevach shelamim (sacrifice of peace offerings) unto Hashem, with the basket of matzot; the kohen shall offer also his minchah (grain offering), and his nesekh (drink offering).

18 And the Nazir shall shave the head of his nazir [see Ac 21:24] at the entrance of the Ohel Mo’ed, and shall take the hair of the head of his nazir, and put it in the eish (fire) which is under the zevach hashelamim (sacrifce of peace offerings).

19 And the kohen shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one challat matzah (loaf of matzah) out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazir, after the hair of his nazir (consecration) is shaven;

20 And the kohen shall wave them for a wave offering before Hashem; this is kodesh for the kohen, with the breast of the wave offering and thigh of the terumah (raisedup presentation); and after that the Nazir may drink yayin.

21 This is the Torat HaNazir who hath vowed, and of his korban unto Hashem for his nazir (separation), in addition to whatever else his hand shall afford, according to the neder (vow) which he vowed, so he must do after the torah of his Nazir.

22 And Hashem spoke unto Moshe, saying,

23 Speak unto Aharon and unto his Banim, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the Bnei Yisroel, saying unto them,

24 Y’varekhekha Adonai v’yishmerekha (Hashem bless thee, and keep thee);

25 Ya’er Adonai panav eleikha vichunekha (Hashem make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee);

26 Yissa Adonai panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom (Hashem lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee shalom).

27 And they shall put My Shem upon the Bnei Yisroel, and I will bless them.

Bamidbar 6 Commentary

Chapter 6

The law concerning the Nazarites. (1-21) The form of blessing the people. (22-27)

Verses 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 devotedness to the services of religion, for a limited time, and under certain rules, which any person might make if they pleased. A Nazarite is spoken of as well known; but his obligation is brought to a greater certainty than before. That the fancies of superstitious men might not multiply the restraints endlessly, God gives them rules. They must not drink wine or strong drink, nor eat grapes. Those who separate themselves to God, must not gratify the desires of the body, but keep it under. Let all Christians be very moderate in the use of wine and strong drink; for if the love of these once gets the mastery of a man, he becomes an easy prey to Satan. The Nazarites were to eat nothing that came of the vine; this may teach the utmost care to avoid sin, and all that borders upon it, and leads to it, or may be a temptation to us. They must not cut their hair. They must neither poll their heads, nor shave their beards; this was the mark of Samson being a Nazarite. This signified neglect of the body, and of the ease and ornament of it. Those who separate themselves to God, must keep their consciences pure from dead works, and not touch unclean things. All the days of their separation they must be holy to the Lord. This was the meaning of those outward observances, and without this they were of no account. No penalty or sacrifice was appointed for those who wilfully broke their vow of being Nazarites; they must answer another day for such profane trifling with the Lord their God; but those were to be relieved who did not sin wilfully. There is nothing in Scripture that bears the least resemblance to the religious orders of the church of Rome, except these Nazarites. But mark the difference, or rather how completely opposed! The religious of that church are forbidden to marry; but no such restriction is laid upon the Nazarites. They are commanded to abstain from meats; but the Nazarites might eat any food allowed other Israelites. They are not generally forbidden wine, not even on their fasting days; but the Nazarites might not have wine at any time. Their vow is lasting, even to the end of their lives; the Nazarites' vow was only for a limited time, at their own will; and in certain cases not unless allowed by husbands or parents. Such a thorough difference there is between rules of man's invention and those directed in Scripture, Let us not forget that the Lord Jesus is not only our Surety, but also our example. For his sake we must renounce worldly pleasures, abstain from fleshy lusts, be separate from sinners, make open profession of our faith, moderate natural affections, be spiritually-minded, and devoted to God's service, and desirous to be an example all around us.

Verses 22-27 The priests were solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord. To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour; to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings. In so rich a list of mercies worldly joys are not worthy to be mentioned. Here is a form of prayer. The name Jehovah is three times repeated. The Jews think there is some mystery; and we know what it is, the New Testament having explained it. There we are directed to expect the blessing from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the ( 2 Corinthians. 13:14 ) yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NUMBERS 6

In this chapter is given the law concerning Nazarites, Nu 6:1,2; which directs what they were to abstain from, from drinking wine, or any strong liquors, from shaving their heads, and defiling themselves with the dead, Nu 6:3-8; and in case of a defilement, directions are given what offerings a Nazarite should bring to be offered for him, Nu 6:9-12; and when the time of his Nazariteship was up, an account is given of what rites and ceremonies should then be performed, Nu 6:13-21; and the chapter is concluded with the form of blessing the children of Israel, to be used by Aaron and his sons, Nu 6:22-27.