Numbers 6 Study Notes
General
What did the Nazirite do with his hair at the end of the vow?
Answer: He burned it in the peace offering fire
At the doorway of the tabernacle the Nazirite shaved off his consecrated hair and laid it in the fire beneath the peace offering (6:18). The hair, the sign of his vow, was given to God along with the sacrifice. In Acts, Paul was urged to pay the costs for four men completing a vow that involved shaving their heads (Acts 21:23-24), and earlier Paul had his own head shaved in fulfillment of a vow (Acts 18:18). These resemble the Nazirite vow, though Acts does not name them as such.
- Numbers 6:18 (BSB)“Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite is to shave his consecrated head, take the hair, and put it on the fire under the peace offering.”The Nazirite shaves at the Tent entrance and puts the hair on the fire under the peace offering.
- Acts 21:23-24 (BSB)“Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.”Paul was asked to pay the expenses of men completing a vow so they could have their heads shaved.
- Acts 18:18 (BSB)“Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.”Paul had his head shaved at Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made.
Theological
What becomes of the Nazirite's consecrated hair at the close of the vow in 6:18?
Answer: It is burned beneath the peace offering
The Nazirite shaves his consecrated hair at the Tent entrance and places it in the fire beneath the peace offering (6:18), so that the sign of his consecration is offered up with the sacrifice. The elders' request that Paul sponsor four men completing a vow with head-shaving (Acts 21:23-24) and his own head-shaving at Cenchrea for a vow (Acts 18:18) resemble this practice, though Acts does not label them Nazirite vows.
- Numbers 6:18 (BSB)“Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite is to shave his consecrated head, take the hair, and put it on the fire under the peace offering.”The Nazirite shaves at the Tent entrance and puts the hair on the fire under the peace offering.
- Acts 21:23-24 (BSB)“Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.”Paul was asked to pay the expenses of men completing a vow so they could have their heads shaved.
- Acts 18:18 (BSB)“Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.”Paul had his head shaved at Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made.
General
According to 6:27, what did the priests accomplish by speaking this blessing, and who actually gave the blessing?
Answer: They placed God's name on Israel; God blessed
In speaking the blessing, the priests placed God's name upon Israel, marking them as His own people, and God Himself promised to bless them (6:27). The priests were the messengers; the blessing came from God alone, by grace. To bear the LORD's name meant belonging to Him before the watching nations (Deuteronomy 28:10). Scripture ends with God's servants seeing His face and bearing His name (Revelation 22:4), and Paul's closing blessing of grace, love, and fellowship (2 Corinthians 13:14) carries the same pattern of God blessing His people.
- Numbers 6:27 (BSB)“So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.””By this blessing the priests put God's name on Israel, and God Himself blesses them.
- Deuteronomy 28:10 (BSB)“Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.”The nations would see that Israel is called by the LORD's name.
- Revelation 22:4 (BSB)“They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.”God's servants will see His face and bear His name on their foreheads.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (BSB)“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”Paul closes with a benediction of grace, love, and fellowship from the triune God.
Theological
What does 6:27 say the priestly blessing accomplishes, and who is its true source?
Answer: It places God's name on Israel; its source is God
The priests' pronouncement puts the LORD's name on Israel, marking them as His possession, while God Himself is the one who blesses (6:27). The priest is an instrument; the blessing is sovereign grace. Bearing God's name signifies belonging to Him before the nations (Deuteronomy 28:10), and the canon closes with the redeemed bearing His name and beholding His face (Revelation 22:4). Paul's Trinitarian benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14) echoes the same pattern of God blessing His people.
- Numbers 6:27 (BSB)“So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.””By this blessing the priests put God's name on Israel, and God Himself blesses them.
- Deuteronomy 28:10 (BSB)“Then all the peoples of the earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will stand in awe of you.”The nations would see that Israel is called by the LORD's name.
- Revelation 22:4 (BSB)“They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.”God's servants will see His face and bear His name on their foreheads.
- 2 Corinthians 13:14 (BSB)“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”Paul closes with a benediction of grace, love, and fellowship from the triune God.
General
True or False: During the Nazirite vow, the person was to leave the hair of the head uncut.
Answer: True
This is true. For the entire length of the vow, no razor could touch the Nazirite's head; the hair was to grow long as a visible sign of belonging wholly to God (6:5). Samson was set apart this way from before birth (Judges 13:5; 16:17), and Hannah promised the same for Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11). Their cases were lifelong by God's appointment or a parent's vow, while chapter 6 describes a vow a person chose for a set time.
- Numbers 6:5 (BSB)“For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.”The Nazirite's hair is left uncut for the whole period of the vow.
- Judges 13:5 (BSB)“For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.””Samson was to be a Nazirite from the womb, with no razor on his head.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (BSB)“And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.””Hannah vowed that no razor would touch the head of the son she asked for.
- Judges 16:17 (BSB)“Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.””Samson explained that his uncut hair marked him as a Nazirite from birth.
Theological
True or False: The Nazirite vow required that the hair go uncut for the duration of the vow.
Answer: True
This is true. No razor may touch the Nazirite's head throughout the vow; the unshorn hair is the outward sign of consecration (6:5). Samson (Judges 13:5; 16:17) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11) bore this sign for life, by divine appointment and by a mother's vow respectively, whereas chapter 6 legislates a voluntary vow for a defined period.
- Numbers 6:5 (BSB)“For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.”The Nazirite's hair is left uncut for the whole period of the vow.
- Judges 13:5 (BSB)“For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.””Samson was to be a Nazirite from the womb, with no razor on his head.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (BSB)“And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.””Hannah vowed that no razor would touch the head of the son she asked for.
- Judges 16:17 (BSB)“Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.””Samson explained that his uncut hair marked him as a Nazirite from birth.
General
Whose dead body was the Nazirite forbidden to go near?
Answer: Anyone's, even a parent's or sibling's
A Nazirite had to stay away from every corpse, even at the death of a father, mother, brother, or sister, because the sign of devotion to God was on his head (6:6-7). This is the same strict rule given to the high priest (Leviticus 21:11), showing how fully the Nazirite was set apart. Jesus likewise taught that following Him and His kingdom must come ahead of even the most natural family duties (Luke 9:59-60).
- Numbers 6:6-7 (BSB)“Throughout the days of his separation to the LORD, he must not go near a dead body. Even if his father or mother or brother or sister should die, he is not to defile himself, because the symbol of consecration to his God is upon his head.”The Nazirite must avoid a corpse even at the death of a close relative.
- Leviticus 21:11 (BSB)“He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.”The high priest was under the same restriction, even for his father or mother.
- Luke 9:59-60 (BSB)“Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.””Jesus called a would-be disciple to put God's kingdom ahead of burying his father.
Theological
How far does the Nazirite's avoidance of corpse defilement extend in 6:6-7?
Answer: To all the dead, even parents and siblings
The Nazirite must avoid every corpse, even those of father, mother, brother, or sister, because the sign of consecration rests on his head (6:6-7). This matches the high priest's standard (Leviticus 21:11), placing the lay Nazirite under a priestly level of holiness for the period of the vow. Jesus' call to put the kingdom ahead of burying one's father (Luke 9:59-60) sounds the same note of undivided devotion.
- Numbers 6:6-7 (BSB)“Throughout the days of his separation to the LORD, he must not go near a dead body. Even if his father or mother or brother or sister should die, he is not to defile himself, because the symbol of consecration to his God is upon his head.”The Nazirite must avoid a corpse even at the death of a close relative.
- Leviticus 21:11 (BSB)“He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.”The high priest was under the same restriction, even for his father or mother.
- Luke 9:59-60 (BSB)“Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.””Jesus called a would-be disciple to put God's kingdom ahead of burying his father.
General
Besides wine and beer, what did the Nazirite have to avoid?
Answer: Anything at all from the grapevine
The Nazirite gave up more than wine and beer. He could not have wine vinegar, grape juice, grapes fresh or dried, or anything from the grapevine at all, down to the seeds and skins (6:3-4). Samson's mother received a similar command before his birth (Judges 13:7). Luke 1:15 says John the Baptist would never drink wine or other fermented drink, which resembles this vow, though the text does not call him a Nazirite. Later God rebuked Israel for pressuring Nazirites to drink wine (Amos 2:11-12).
- Numbers 6:3-4 (BSB)“he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.”The Nazirite abstains from wine and everything produced by the grapevine.
- Judges 13:7 (BSB)“But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’””Samson's mother was told not to drink wine or strong drink because her son would be a Nazirite.
- Luke 1:15 (BSB)“for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.”John the Baptist was never to take wine or strong drink.
- Amos 2:11-12 (BSB)“I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.”Israel sinned by making the Nazirites drink wine.
Theological
What is the scope of the Nazirite's abstinence in 6:3-4?
Answer: All grapevine produce
The abstinence extends beyond wine and fermented drink to every product of the vine: vinegar, juice, fresh grapes, raisins, even seeds and skins (6:3-4). A comparable abstinence from wine and fermented drink was laid on Samson's mother before his birth, because he was to be a Nazirite from the womb (Judges 13:7). Luke 1:15 records a similar abstinence for John the Baptist, resembling the vow without formally naming him a Nazirite. Amos 2:11-12 indicts Israel for corrupting the Nazirites by making them drink wine.
- Numbers 6:3-4 (BSB)“he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.”The Nazirite abstains from wine and everything produced by the grapevine.
- Judges 13:7 (BSB)“But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’””Samson's mother was told not to drink wine or strong drink because her son would be a Nazirite.
- Luke 1:15 (BSB)“for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.”John the Baptist was never to take wine or strong drink.
- Amos 2:11-12 (BSB)“I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.”Israel sinned by making the Nazirites drink wine.
General
When a Nazirite finished the vow, which set of animal offerings did he bring (6:14)?
Answer: Burnt offering, sin offering, and peace offering
At the end of the vow the Nazirite brought three unblemished animals: a male lamb in its first year for a burnt offering, a female lamb of the same age to atone for sin, and a ram for a peace offering (6:14), plus grain offerings, drink offerings, and bread made without yeast (6:15). Even a vow faithfully completed included a sin offering: devotion to God does not remove the need for atonement. Hebrews explains that such repeated sacrifices could never make worshipers perfect (Hebrews 10:1), but Christ made a single offering for sin that stands forever (Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Numbers 6:14 (BSB)“and he is to present an offering to the LORD of an unblemished year-old male lamb as a burnt offering, an unblemished year-old female lamb as a sin offering, and an unblemished ram as a peace offering—”At completion the Nazirite offers a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering.
- Hebrews 10:1 (BSB)“For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.”The law's repeated sacrifices could not make worshipers perfect.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time.
Theological
Which offerings does 6:14 require at the successful completion of the Nazirite vow?
Answer: Burnt, sin, and peace offerings
The completed vow is marked by a burnt offering (a yearling male lamb), a sin offering (a yearling ewe lamb), and a peace offering (a ram), all unblemished (6:14), with accompanying grain, drink, and unleavened bread (6:15). That a sin offering attends even a fulfilled vow shows that consecration does not ground acceptance before God; atonement remains necessary. The law's repeated sacrifices could not perfect the worshiper (Hebrews 10:1), but Christ's single offering does so for all time (Hebrews 10:11-12).
- Numbers 6:14 (BSB)“and he is to present an offering to the LORD of an unblemished year-old male lamb as a burnt offering, an unblemished year-old female lamb as a sin offering, and an unblemished ram as a peace offering—”At completion the Nazirite offers a burnt offering, a sin offering, and a peace offering.
- Hebrews 10:1 (BSB)“For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.”The law's repeated sacrifices could not make worshipers perfect.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Christ offered one sacrifice for sins for all time.
General
True or False: After a defilement, the Nazirite could count the days already served toward completing his vow.
Answer: False
This is false. The Nazirite had to rededicate himself for the full period and offer a male lamb in its first year for guilt, and the days before the defilement did not count because his separation had been defiled (6:12). He started over. A promise to God was to be kept completely (Deuteronomy 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
- Numbers 6:12 (BSB)“He must rededicate his time of separation to the LORD and bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. But the preceding days shall not be counted, because his separation was defiled.”After defilement the Nazirite begins again, bringing a guilt offering, and the earlier days do not count.
- Deuteronomy 23:21 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.”A vow to the LORD must be fully kept.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”Vows are to be fulfilled, not left incomplete.
Theological
True or False: Days served before a defilement were credited toward the completion of the Nazirite vow.
Answer: False
This is false. The defiled Nazirite rededicates his full term and offers a yearling male lamb for guilt; the prior days lapse because the separation was defiled (6:12). The vow must be fulfilled in its entirety (Deuteronomy 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5).
- Numbers 6:12 (BSB)“He must rededicate his time of separation to the LORD and bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. But the preceding days shall not be counted, because his separation was defiled.”After defilement the Nazirite begins again, bringing a guilt offering, and the earlier days do not count.
- Deuteronomy 23:21 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.”A vow to the LORD must be fully kept.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”Vows are to be fulfilled, not left incomplete.
General
To whom did God give the words of the blessing in 6:22-27, to speak over Israel?
Answer: To Aaron and his priestly sons
God told Moses to instruct Aaron and his priestly sons in how to pronounce blessing on Israel (6:23). Speaking God's blessing over the people was a lasting part of the priests' calling (1 Chronicles 23:13), and Aaron had done so at the first sacrifices at the tabernacle (Leviticus 9:22). Jesus, the great High Priest, raised His hands in blessing over His disciples as He was taken up into heaven (Luke 24:50-51).
- Numbers 6:23 (BSB)““Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:”God instructs Aaron and his sons in how to bless Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 23:13 (BSB)“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.”Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to pronounce blessings in the LORD's name.
- Leviticus 9:22 (BSB)“Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having made the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down.”Aaron lifted his hands and blessed the people after the first offerings.
- Luke 24:50-51 (BSB)“When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.”The risen Jesus lifted His hands and blessed His disciples as He ascended.
Theological
Who is commissioned in 6:23 to pronounce the blessing over Israel?
Answer: Aaron and his priestly sons
The blessing is committed to Aaron and his priestly sons (6:23); pronouncing blessing in the LORD's name is a perpetual priestly function (1 Chronicles 23:13), exercised by Aaron at the inauguration of the tabernacle service (Leviticus 9:22). The risen Christ, the great High Priest, concludes His earthly ministry by blessing His disciples with uplifted hands (Luke 24:50-51).
- Numbers 6:23 (BSB)““Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:”God instructs Aaron and his sons in how to bless Israel.
- 1 Chronicles 23:13 (BSB)“The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to consecrate the most holy things, to burn incense before the LORD, to minister before Him, and to pronounce blessings in His name forever.”Aaron and his descendants were set apart forever to pronounce blessings in the LORD's name.
- Leviticus 9:22 (BSB)“Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and blessed them. And having made the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering, he stepped down.”Aaron lifted his hands and blessed the people after the first offerings.
- Luke 24:50-51 (BSB)“When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.”The risen Jesus lifted His hands and blessed His disciples as He ascended.
General
If someone died suddenly beside a Nazirite, what was he to do?
Answer: Shave on day seven, bring birds on day eight
Even an accidental defilement counted. If someone died suddenly in his presence, the Nazirite shaved his head on day seven, when he was cleansed, and the next day brought a pair of doves or pigeons for the priest to offer, one to atone for sin and one to be burned whole (6:9-11). The seven days match the time of uncleanness after touching a dead body (19:11), and the pair of birds matches the offering Leviticus allows (Leviticus 5:7). Then he consecrated his head again.
- Numbers 6:9-11 (BSB)“If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. On the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. And the priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him, because he has sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. On that day he must consecrate his head again.”If someone dies suddenly nearby, the Nazirite shaves on the seventh day and brings birds on the eighth.
- Numbers 19:11 (BSB)“Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days.”Contact with a dead body brought seven days of uncleanness.
- Leviticus 5:7 (BSB)“If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”Two turtledoves or pigeons served as a sin offering and a burnt offering.
Theological
What does 6:9-11 require of a Nazirite defiled by a sudden death nearby?
Answer: Shaving on day seven and a bird offering on day eight
Unintentional defilement still requires atonement. The Nazirite shaves on the seventh day, the day of cleansing that matches corpse impurity (19:11), and on the eighth brings two birds, one offered for sin and one burned whole (6:9-11; Leviticus 5:7), after which he reconsecrates his head. Defilement is treated seriously even when no one intended it.
- Numbers 6:9-11 (BSB)“If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. On the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. And the priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him, because he has sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. On that day he must consecrate his head again.”If someone dies suddenly nearby, the Nazirite shaves on the seventh day and brings birds on the eighth.
- Numbers 19:11 (BSB)“Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days.”Contact with a dead body brought seven days of uncleanness.
- Leviticus 5:7 (BSB)“If, however, he cannot afford a lamb, he may bring to the LORD as restitution for his sin two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.”Two turtledoves or pigeons served as a sin offering and a burnt offering.
General
Which of these is asked for in the priestly blessing of 6:24-26?
Answer: That the LORD would shine His face on Israel and give peace
The blessing has three lines, each naming the LORD: that He would bless and protect His people, make His face shine on them and be gracious, and turn His face toward them and give them peace (6:24-26). God's shining face means His favor and delight. Psalm 67:1 echoes this blessing in its own prayer. Christians see its fullness in Christ: God's glory is made known to believers in Christ's face (2 Corinthians 4:6), and those justified by faith are reconciled to God and at peace through Him (Romans 5:1).
- Numbers 6:24-26 (BSB)“‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’”The priestly blessing asks the LORD to bless, keep, shine His face, show grace, look with favor, and give peace.
- Psalm 67:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah”The psalmist echoes the priestly blessing in a prayer for grace and God's shining face.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 (BSB)“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”God's light shines in believers' hearts in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:1 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Those justified through faith have peace with God through Christ.
Theological
Which petition belongs to the priestly benediction of 6:24-26?
Answer: That the LORD shine His face and grant peace
The benediction is threefold, the divine name repeated in each line: blessing and keeping, the shining of God's face with grace, and the lifting of His countenance with peace (6:24-26). The shining face denotes God's favor. Psalm 67:1 echoes the blessing directly. Its fullness is realized in Christ, in whose face God's glory shines into believers' hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6), and through whom the justified are at peace with God (Romans 5:1).
- Numbers 6:24-26 (BSB)“‘May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you and give you peace.’”The priestly blessing asks the LORD to bless, keep, shine His face, show grace, look with favor, and give peace.
- Psalm 67:1 (BSB)“For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Psalm. A song. May God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us, Selah”The psalmist echoes the priestly blessing in a prayer for grace and God's shining face.
- 2 Corinthians 4:6 (BSB)“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”God's light shines in believers' hearts in the face of Jesus Christ.
- Romans 5:1 (BSB)“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”Those justified through faith have peace with God through Christ.
General
True or False: Chapter 6 describes the Nazirite vow as always lasting for a person's whole life.
Answer: False
This is false. Chapter 6 describes a vow with a set period that came to an end: it gives the law for the day the separation period ends (6:13), and after the final offerings the former Nazirite could drink wine again (6:20). Samson (Judges 13:7) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:28) were dedicated for life, but that came from God's special appointment or a parent's vow, not from the ordinary vow described here.
- Numbers 6:13 (BSB)“Now this is the law of the Nazirite when his time of separation is complete: He must be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,”The law provides for the day the Nazirite's time of separation is complete.
- Numbers 6:20 (BSB)“The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.”After the closing rites, the Nazirite may drink wine.
- Judges 13:7 (BSB)“But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’””Samson was a Nazirite from the womb until his death by God's appointment.
- 1 Samuel 1:28 (BSB)“I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD for as long as he lived.
Theological
True or False: Numbers 6 presents the Nazirite vow as necessarily lifelong.
Answer: False
This is false. The chapter legislates a vow of fixed duration, with a prescribed ceremony for its completion (6:13) after which wine is again permitted (6:20). The lifelong dedication of Samson (Judges 13:7) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:28) arose from divine appointment or parental dedication, not from the standard vow of Numbers 6.
- Numbers 6:13 (BSB)“Now this is the law of the Nazirite when his time of separation is complete: He must be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,”The law provides for the day the Nazirite's time of separation is complete.
- Numbers 6:20 (BSB)“The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.”After the closing rites, the Nazirite may drink wine.
- Judges 13:7 (BSB)“But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’””Samson was a Nazirite from the womb until his death by God's appointment.
- 1 Samuel 1:28 (BSB)“I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.”Hannah dedicated Samuel to the LORD for as long as he lived.
General
According to 6:2, who could make the Nazirite vow?
Answer: Either a man or a woman of Israel
The Nazirite vow was open to any Israelite, man or woman (6:2). A Nazirite (from a Hebrew word meaning separated or consecrated) was someone who voluntarily set himself or herself apart to God for a period of special devotion. It was not limited to priests or Levites. Because it was a vow, it was serious: a promise made to God had to be kept (Deuteronomy 23:21), and it was wiser to stay silent than to promise and then break it (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). The vow expressed wholehearted devotion, something Paul calls every believer to in offering themselves to God (Romans 12:1).
- Numbers 6:2 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD,”Either a man or a woman may take the Nazirite vow of separation to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 23:21 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.”A vow made to the LORD must be kept without delay.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”It is better not to vow than to vow and not fulfill it.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Believers are urged to offer themselves wholly to God.
Theological
Who is eligible to take the Nazirite vow according to 6:2?
Answer: Any Israelite man or woman
The vow is open to any Israelite, male or female (6:2): a voluntary consecration to God for a set time, outside the hereditary structures of priesthood and Levitical service. As a vow it binds the one who makes it (Deuteronomy 23:21; Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). The Nazirite's separation offers an Old Testament picture of the self-offering to which every believer is called (Romans 12:1).
- Numbers 6:2 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD,”Either a man or a woman may take the Nazirite vow of separation to the LORD.
- Deuteronomy 23:21 (BSB)“If you make a vow to the LORD your God, do not be slow to keep it, because He will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin.”A vow made to the LORD must be kept without delay.
- Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 (BSB)“When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it, because He takes no pleasure in fools. Fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.”It is better not to vow than to vow and not fulfill it.
- Romans 12:1 (BSB)“Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”Believers are urged to offer themselves wholly to God.