CHAPTER VI _The vow of the_ Nazarite, 1, 2. _In what it consisted_, 3-8. _When accidentally defiled, how he is to be purified_, 9-12. _The sacrifices he is to bring, and the rites he is to perform, _ _when the vow of his separation is fulfilled_, 13-21. _The manner in which the priests are to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:2. _WHEN EITHER MAN OR WOMAN SHALL SEPARATE, C._] The word נזיר _nazir_, from נזר _nazar_, to _separate_, signifies merely a _separated_ person, i. e., one peculiarly devoted to the service of God by being separated from all servile employments. From the _Nazarites_ sprang the _Rech... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:3. _NO VINEGAR OF WINE, C._] חמץ _chomets_ signifies _fermented_ wine, and is probably used here to signify wine of a strong body, or any highly intoxicating liquor. Dr. Lightfoot supposes that the LEPER being the most defiled and loathsome of creatures, was an emblem of the wretched... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:5. _THERE SHALL NO RAZOR COME UPON HIS HEAD_] The vow of the Nazarite consisted in the following particulars: - 1. He consecrated himself in a very especial and extraordinary manner to God. 2. This was to continue for a certain season, probably never less than a whole year, that he... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:7. _THE CONSECRATION OF HIS GOD IS UPON HIS HEAD._] Literally, _The separation of his God is upon his head_; meaning his _hair_, which was the proof and emblem of his separation. Now as the _hair_ of the Nazarite was a token of his _subjection_ to God through all the peculiarities o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:10. _TWO TURTLES, OR TWO YOUNG PIGEONS_] The same kind of offering made by him who had an issue, Leviticus 15:14, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:18. _SHALL TAKE THE HAIR - AND PUT IT IN THE FIRE_] The hair was permitted to grow for this purpose; and as the Nazarite was a kind of sacrifice, offered to God through the whole term of his _nazarate_ or _separation_, and no human flesh or blood could be offered on the altar of the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:21. _THIS_ IS _THE LAW OF THE NAZARITE_] We learn from Maimonides, in his Treatise of the Nazarite, that a man might become a Nazarite in _behalf of another_; that is, might assist him in bearing the expenses of the sacrifices, c. "A son may fulfil the vow his deceased father hath ma... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:23. _ON THIS WISE YE SHALL BLESS THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL_] The prayer which God makes for his followers, and puts into their mouth, we are sure must be right; and to it, when sincerely, faithfully, and fervently offered, we may confidently expect an answer. If he condescended to give... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Numbers 6:24. _THE LORD BLESS THEE_] There are _three_ forms of blessing here, _any_ or _all_ of which the priests might use on any occasion. The following is a verbal translation: - 1. May Jehovah bless thee and preserve thee! 2. May Jehovah cause his faces to shine upon thee, and be gracio... [ Continue Reading ]