What Is a Nazirite Vow in the Bible — In Biblical Context
A Nazirite vow was a special dedication to God involving abstaining from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead.
A Nazirite vow was a special dedication to God involving abstaining from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead.
"When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD." — Numbers 6:2 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The Nazirite vow is described in Numbers 6:1-21. It was a voluntary act of consecration to God, open to both men and women. The three requirements were: abstaining from wine and grape products, not cutting the hair (as a visible sign of the vow), and avoiding contact with dead bodies. The vow could be temporary or, in rare cases like Samson and Samuel, lifelong from birth. At the vow's completion, the person shaved their head and offered sacrifices. The Nazirite vow represented total devotion to God, setting oneself apart from normal life for a period of special holiness and service.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Numbers 6:2, sits inside Numbers 6. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD."
Supporting Passages
"All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head."
"For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb."
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