_The Law of the Nazirite_ The passage consists of two distinct parts: (_a_) Numbers 6:1. Three regulations, the observance of which constituted the Naziriteship. (_b_) Numbers 6:13. The sacrificial ceremonies to be performed at the completion of the vow.... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall make a special vow_ as in Numbers 15:3; Numbers 15:8; Leviticus 22:21; Leviticus 27:2. The exact force of the term is not clear, but it does not seem to differ from - _make_a vow." _a Nazirite_1 [Note: The spelling Nazarite, of the A.V., is erroneous.]] Heb. _Nâzîr_, denotes -one separated" ... [ Continue Reading ]
_vinegar_ Prepared from wine and other intoxicants which have gone sour. _liquor of grapes_ Fresh wine, as distinct from the foregoing. _or dried_ Raisins compressed into a cake (_"ashîshâh_) were a common article of food (2 Samuel 6:19; Hosea 3:1).... [ Continue Reading ]
_First regulation_. Abstinence from intoxicating liquors and from any produce of the vine, liquid or solid.... [ Continue Reading ]
_nothing that is_ PRODUCED BY _the grape-vine_ R.V. -made of the grape-vine," though a literal rendering of the Hebrew, is misleading. The meaning is evidently that of Judges 13:14 -nothing that cometh forth (יצא) from the grape-vine." This meaning of עשה -to make," or -produce," in the course of na... [ Continue Reading ]
_Second regulation_. The hair to be left uncut. This is found in every reference to the Nazirites, both in early and late times. Long hair was the visible mark of consecration.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Third regulation_. Avoidance of pollution from contact with a dead body, even that of the nearest relative.... [ Continue Reading ]
The stringent rule here laid down was applicable to no one else except the High Priest (Leviticus 21:11); in the case of the ordinary priest the nearest relatives are expressly excepted. It is to be noticed that Samson did not scruple to come into frequent contact with the dead. The regulation was p... [ Continue Reading ]
The third regulation might be unavoidably infringed if a sudden death occurred in the Nazirite's presence. He was then unclean for seven days. At the end of that period he shaved close his polluted hair, and on the next day brought an offering. He was now considered free from pollution, and he began... [ Continue Reading ]
_the head of his separation_ i.e. his head with the long hair, the symbol of his consecration. _in the day of his cleansing_ Better _of his_ CLEANNESS, i.e. in the day when he became clean. _shall he shave it_ The hair, being polluted, must be got rid of in some way that would prevent it defiling... [ Continue Reading ]
The prescribed birds were an inexpensive form of offering; cf. Leviticus 5:7; Leviticus 12:8; Leviticus 14:30 f., Numbers 15:14 f., Numbers 15:29 f.; Luke 2:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a sin-offering_ A form of sacrifice not mentioned in the historical or prophetical books. Its purpose was the removal of defilement, separation from all that was not holy. It was thus used at the consecration of _places_(Exodus 29:36; Leviticus 8:14 f.), and of _persons_priests (Exodus 29:14; Levit... [ Continue Reading ]
_he shall separate_&c. He shall separate anew the whole period of the vow upon which he had originally entered. _a guilt-offering_ This was the most expensive part of the ritual. Opinions differ as to the exact force attaching to it. But the distinctive feature of the offering in other cases seems... [ Continue Reading ]
The ceremony at the completion of the vow. This consisted of three parts: (_a_) The Nazirite brought a burnt-offering, sin-offering, and peace-offering, with the usual meal-offering and libations attached to the burnt-offering and the sin-offering (see Numbers 15:4-6), and the priest offered them (N... [ Continue Reading ]
_peace-offerings_ Heb. _shelâmîm_. The meaning is uncertain. Some connect it with _shâlôm_-peace," and explain it as -the sacrifice offered when friendly relations existed towards God, as distinct from piacular offerings which presupposed estrangement." So LXX. θυσία εἰρηνική. Others derive it from... [ Continue Reading ]
The burning of the hair is of the nature of an offering, and also prevents its desecration. The custom is not confined to the Hebrews, but finds many parallels in antiquity and in primitive races to-day. The hair is considered to be the special seat of the life and strength of the man, and thus repr... [ Continue Reading ]
_the sodden shoulder_ It had been previously sodden, i.e. boiled, elsewhere in readiness.... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall wave them_ The portions of a peace-offering which fell to the priest were not appropriated by him until a peculiar ritual had been performed. The breast and in the present case the boiled shoulder and part of the meal-offering also were waved or swung, that is, apparently, moved towards the a... [ Continue Reading ]
and of _his oblation_ NAMELY _his oblation_. The word is loosely in apposition to -the law." The oblation formed the most important factor in the regulations. On the word _tôrâh_-law" see Chapman, _Introd._Append, vi. _beside that which he is able to get_ i.e. beside what his means enable him to of... [ Continue Reading ]