Question 1

What is a Nazarite vow and who could take it?

Accepted Answer

A Nazarite vow was a special, voluntary promise to be set apart for the Lord for a set period of time. In this passage, God says that either a man or a woman from Israel could choose this. During the days of the vow, the person lived in a different way to show they belonged in a special way to God. This was not forced on everyone, but offered to those who desired a deeper, visible kind of dedication and service before the Lord.

Question 2

Why did Nazarites avoid wine, grapes, and all vine products?

Accepted Answer

Nazarites had to stay away from wine, strong drink, vinegar made from them, and even grapes, raisins, and anything from the vine. This wide fence around wine showed a clear break from common pleasures so their minds and lives stayed focused on God. It guarded them from things that could dull their judgment or pull their hearts away. The lesson is that those who choose special devotion to God are willing to let go of even good things for a time to keep themselves free from temptation.

Question 3

What was the meaning of not cutting the Nazarite’s hair?

Accepted Answer

The Nazarite was not to let a razor touch his head during the days of his vow. The long hair was a visible sign that he was set apart to the Lord. The passage says “the consecration of his God is upon his head.” So the hair became like a badge of dedication, a daily reminder to the person and to others that this time of life belonged in a special way to God. When the vow ended, the hair was shaved and burned under the peace offering, showing the vow was complete.

Question 4

Why could a Nazarite not go near a dead body, even family?

Accepted Answer

All the days of the vow, the Nazarite was not to come near a dead body. He was not even allowed to make himself unclean for his father, mother, brother, or sister when they died. Death brought ceremonial uncleanness, and this law showed how serious it was to be clean before God. The Nazarite’s call to holiness was put even above the strong pull of family mourning. It pictured a life turned away from what sin brings, and toward the God of life.

Question 5

What happened if a Nazarite became unclean by a sudden death?

Accepted Answer

If someone died suddenly beside the Nazarite and he became unclean, his vow time was broken. He had to shave his head on the seventh day of cleansing, then on the eighth day bring two birds for a sin offering and burnt offering. He also brought a young lamb for a trespass offering. After this he started counting the days of his separation again, and the earlier days did not count. This shows both the mercy of God in allowing a fresh start and the seriousness of remaining pure.

Question 6

What offerings were given when a Nazarite finished the vow?

Accepted Answer

When the time of the vow ended, the Nazarite was brought to the door of the tabernacle. There he offered a year-old male lamb for a burnt offering, a year-old female lamb for a sin offering, a ram for peace offerings, and a basket of unleavened bread with grain and drink offerings. He then shaved his hair and put it in the fire under the peace offering. The priest waved a portion before the Lord, and after all this the Nazarite was free to drink wine again. It marked a thankful, worshipful close to that season of dedication.

Question 7

What does the priestly blessing “The LORD bless thee and keep thee” mean?

Accepted Answer

The priestly blessing is God’s own words given to Aaron and his sons to speak over Israel. “The LORD bless thee and keep thee” asks God to give good and protect. “The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee” speaks of God’s kind favor and mercy. “The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” points to God looking on his people with approval and giving them wholeness and rest. God says that by this blessing they put his name on the people, and he himself will bless them.

Question 8

How does this passage speak to a believer’s life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God cares about real, concrete choices of dedication. The Nazarite vow was one way people could set aside a season to seek God more fully, giving up certain things to focus on him. While believers today are not bound to take such vows, the picture still speaks. It reminds us that holiness involves clear boundaries, turning from things that dull our love for God. The priestly blessing also comforts us, showing God’s heart to bless, guard, show grace, and give peace to those who belong to him.

Question 9

What does this teach about God’s character and his people?

Accepted Answer

Here we see God welcoming voluntary devotion, not just basic obedience. He makes room in his law for people who want to draw nearer in a special way. At the same time, he takes holiness very seriously, giving careful rules about purity, defilement, and how to be restored. God also shows tenderness at the end of the chapter, putting words of blessing into the mouths of the priests and promising, “I will bless them.” So God is both holy and gracious, and he wants his people to live in that light.

Numbers 6:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

The Nazirite Vow

Aaron’s Blessing

The Nazirite Vow

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Numbers 6:1

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

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