Numbers - Chapter 6

Numbers 6.1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Numbers 6.2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD: Numbers 6.3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried. Numbers 6.4 All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk. Numbers 6.5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow. Numbers 6.6 All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body. Numbers 6.7 He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is upon his head. Numbers 6.8 All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD. Numbers 6.9 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it. Numbers 6.10 And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons, to the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: Numbers 6.11 And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that he sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day. Numbers 6.12 And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled. Numbers 6.13 And this is the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: Numbers 6.14 And he shall offer his offering unto the LORD, one he lamb of the first year without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb of the first year without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without blemish for peace offerings, Numbers 6.15 And a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, and wafers of unleavened bread anointed with oil, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings. Numbers 6.16 And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering: Numbers 6.17 And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering. Numbers 6.18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. Numbers 6.19 And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven: Numbers 6.20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine. Numbers 6.21 This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation, beside that that his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation. Numbers 6.22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Numbers 6.23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, Numbers 6.24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: Numbers 6.25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Numbers 6.26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6.27 And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them.

Numbers : Chapter 6

Numbers Chapter 6: The Laws of the Nazirite and the Priestly Blessing Numbers Chapter 6 invites us to reflect on how to devote ourselves entirely to God. This inspiring text details specific vows of consecration, including abstinence from the produce of the vine and a commitment not to cut one's hair. Indeed, these practices demonstrate deep devotion and a desire to draw closer to the Lord. Aaron's Blessing This chapter culminates with Aaron's famous blessing, a powerful invocation of divine grace upon the people. This blessing, which evokes divine protection and peace, reminds us of the importance of asking God's favor for ourselves and others.

Themes Covered in Numbers 6

Numbers 6 addresses fundamental themes such as personal devotion, sanctification, and divine blessing. These concepts encourage us to meditate on our own commitment to God and on the ways in which we can live out our faith in our daily lives.

Meditation on Five Bible Passages

We invite you to meditate on five Bible passages that resonate with the consecration themes of this important chapter:

Acts 18:18

"Paul stayed in Corinth for several days. Then, having said goodbye to his brothers, he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchrea, he had his hair cut because of a vow he had made. »

This verse refers to a vow similar to the Nazirite's vow described in Numbers 6, thus showing the continuity of this practice in the New Testament.

Luke 1:15

"For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He will never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit before he is born." »

This description of John the Baptist echoes the restrictions of the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6, suggesting a special status of consecration.

Amos 2:11-12

"I have also raised up prophets from among their children, and Nazirites from among their young men. Is this not true?" the Israelites ask the Lord. "But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy." »

Amos directly refers to the Nazirites, showing the continuity and importance of this vow in the history of Israel.

1 Corinthians 11:14

"The very nature of things does not teach them that it is a disgrace for a man to have long hair. »

Although in a different context, this verse recalls the special significance given to hair in the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6.

James 3:9-10

"With our tongues we bless the Lord and Father, and with them we curse those created in the image of God. From the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brothers, it must not be like this." »

This verse reflects the power of words and recalls the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26, emphasizing the importance of our words in our spiritual life.

Let us reflect together on these passages and their application in our journey of faith, as we aspire to greater dedication to our Lord.