Numbers 6

1 And the Lorde spake vnto Moses saynge:

2 speake vnto ye childre of Israel and saye vnto them: when ether man or woman appoynteth to vowe a vowe of abstinence for to abstene vnto the Lorde

3 he shall abstene from wyne and stronge drynke and shall dryncke no vynegre of wyne or of stronge drynke nor shal drynke what soeuer is pressed out of grapes: and shal eate no fresh grapes nether yet dryed as loge as his abstinece edureth.

4 Moreouer he shall eate nothyng yt is made of the vynetre no not so moch as ye cornels or the huske of the grape.

5 And as longe as the vowe of his abstinece endureth there shall no rasure nor sheres come apon his heed vntill his dayes be out which he fasteth vnto the Lorde and he shalbe holy and shall let the lockes of his heer growe.

6 As longe as he abstencth vnto the Lorde he shall come at no deed bodye:

7 he shall not make him selfe vncleane at the deeth of his father mother brother or syster. for the abstinece of his God is apon his heed.

8 And therfore as longe as his abstynence lasteth he shalbe holy vnto the Lorde.

9 And yf it fortune that any man by chaunce dye sodenly before him and defyle the heed of his abstinece then must he shaue his heed the daye of his clesynge: euen the seuenth daye he shall shaue it.

10 And the eyght daye he shall brynge .ij. turtles or .ij. yonge pigeons to the preast vnto ye dore of ye tabernacle of witnesse

11 And ye preast shall offer the one for a synofferynge and the other for a burntofferynge and make an atonement for him as concernynge that he synned apon the deed and shall also halowe his heed the same daye

12 and he shall abstene vnto the Lorde the tyme of his abstinencye and shall brynge a lambe of an yere olde for a trespace offerynge: but the dayes yt were before are lost because his abstinence was defyled.

13 This is the lawe of the absteyner when the tyme of his abstinece is out. he shalbe broughte vnto ye dore of ye tabernacle of witnesse

14 and he shall brynge his offerynge vnto ye Lord: an he labe of a yere olde without blemysh for a burntofferynge and a she lambe of a yere olde without blemysh for a synofferynge a ram without blemysh also for a peaseofferynge

15 and a basket of swete breed of fyne floure myngled with oyle and wafers of swete bred anoyntyd with oyle with meatofferynges ad drynkofferynges that longe thereto.

16 And the preast shall brynge him before ye Lorde and offer his synofferynge and his burntofferynge

17 and shall offer yt ram for a peaseofferynge vnto ye Lorde with the basket of swete brede ad the preast shall offer also his meatofferynge and his drynkofferynge.

18 And ye absteyner shall shaue his heed in ye dore of ye tabernacle of witnesse ad shall take the heer of his sober heed and put it in ye fyre which is vnder the peaseofferynge.

19 Then the preast shall take the sodden shulder of ye ram ad one swete cake out of ye basket and one swete wafer also ad put them in the hade of the absteyner after he hath shaue his abstinece of

20 and the preast shall waue them vnto the Lorde which offerynge shalbe holy vnto the preast with ye wauebrest and heue shulder: and then the absteyner maye drynke wyne.

21 This is the lawe of the absteyner which hath vowed his offerynge vnto ye Lorde for his abstynence besydes that his hade can gete And acordyng to the vowe which he vowed euen so he must doo in the lawe of his abstinence.

22 And the Lorde talked with Moses sayenge:

23 speake vnto Aaron and his sonnes sayege: of this wise ye shall blesse the childern of Ysrael saynge vnto them.

24 The lorde blesse the and kepe the.

25 The lorde make his face shyne apon the and be mercyfull vnto the.

26 The lorde lifte vpp his countenaunce apo the and geue the peace

27 for ye shall put my name apon the childern of Ysrael that I maye blesse them.

Numbers 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.