Nazarites Numbers 6

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:"

Here in chapter six is the first time I have seen the vow of a Nazarite (Nazirite) mentioned in the Bible. I found no other history on the subject than what starts here. We know that Samson was a Nazarite but that is later on in Judges.

There were distinct requirements of the vow:

v3 No strong drink - in fact he was to eat nothing from the vine tree v4
v5 No razor shall come upon his head
v6 Not come near dead bodies - even if someone in his family died v7 If someone died near him or her - he was defiled and had to start over - the previous days were lost v12

When the days of separation are complete, he/she is to bring the offerings to the tabernacle v14

"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,"

v15 continues the offerings and the process. v18 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."

So regardless of where the Nazarite vow started or if it started here, it is incorporated into the law by the Lord and so is not an option if someone chooses this path.

At the end of this chapter is a prayer that I have often heard but never knew where it came from and so I quote it from Numbers 6 verses 24,25,26.

"The Lord bless thee and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."