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Numbers 6:11

Numbers 6:11 in Multiple Translations

And the priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him, because he has sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. On that day he must consecrate his head again.

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.

and the priest shall offer one for a sin-offering, and the other for a burnt-offering, and make atonement for him, for that he sinned by reason of the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.

And the priest will give one for a sin-offering and the other for a burned offering to take away the sin which came on him on account of the dead, and he will make his head holy that same day.

The priest will offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make them right, because they became guilty by being near the dead body. On that day they must re-dedicate themselves and let their hair grow again.

Then the Priest shall prepare the one for a sinne offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and shall make an atonement for him, because he sinned by the dead: so shall he halowe his head the same day,

and the priest hath prepared one for a sin-offering, and one for a burnt-offering, and hath made atonement for him, because of that which he hath sinned by the body, and he hath hallowed his head on that day;

The priest shall offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned by reason of the dead, and shall make his head holy that same day.

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.

And the priest shall offer one for sin, and the other for a holocaust, and shall pray for him, for that he hath sinned by the dead: and he shall sanctify his head that day:

‘The priest must kill the birds and offer them as sacrifices. One of them will be an offering to enable me to forgive you for the sins you have committed, and the other will be an offering that is burned completely to please me. After the priest burns them on the altar, I will forgive you for having come close to a corpse, and when your hair grows again it will be dedicated to me again.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 6:11

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Numbers 6:11 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/עָשָׂ֣ה הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן אֶחָ֤ד לְ/חַטָּאת֙ וְ/אֶחָ֣ד לְ/עֹלָ֔ה וְ/כִפֶּ֣ר עָלָ֔י/ו מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָטָ֖א עַל הַ/נָּ֑פֶשׁ וְ/קִדַּ֥שׁ אֶת רֹאשׁ֖/וֹ בַּ/יּ֥וֹם הַ/הֽוּא
וְ/עָשָׂ֣ה ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-3ms
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן kôhên H3548 priest Art | N-ms
אֶחָ֤ד ʼechâd H259 one Adj
לְ/חַטָּאת֙ chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 sin Prep | N-fs
וְ/אֶחָ֣ד ʼechâd H259 one Conj | Adj
לְ/עֹלָ֔ה ʻôlâh H5930 burnt offering Prep | N-fs
וְ/כִפֶּ֣ר kâphar H3722 to atone Conj | V-Piel-3ms
עָלָ֔י/ו ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff
מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel
חָטָ֖א châṭâʼ H2398 to sin V-Qal-Perf-3ms
עַל ʻal H5921 upon Prep
הַ/נָּ֑פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 soul Art | N-cs
וְ/קִדַּ֥שׁ qâdash H6942 to consecrate Conj | V-Piel-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
רֹאשׁ֖/וֹ rôʼsh H7218 head N-ms | Suff
בַּ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms
הַ/הֽוּא hûwʼ H1931 he/she/it Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 6:11

וְ/עָשָׂ֣ה ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
הַ/כֹּהֵ֗ן kôhên H3548 "priest" Art | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
אֶחָ֤ד ʼechâd H259 "one" Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
לְ/חַטָּאת֙ chaṭṭâʼâh H2403 "sin" Prep | N-fs
This word describes sin, guilt, or punishment for sin, and also the sacrifice or purification made to atone for it. It is used in the Bible to describe the consequences and solutions for sin. The KJV translates it as 'punishment' or 'sin'.
Definition: sin, sinful thing
Usage: Occurs in 270 OT verses. KJV: punishment (of sin), purifying(-fication for sin), sin(-ner, offering). See also: Genesis 4:7; Numbers 12:11; Psalms 25:7.
וְ/אֶחָ֣ד ʼechâd H259 "one" Conj | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
לְ/עֹלָ֔ה ʻôlâh H5930 "burnt offering" Prep | N-fs
This word refers to a step or stairs, often used to describe the ascent to the altar for a burnt offering. In the Bible, it can also mean a holocaust or sacrifice, like in Leviticus.
Definition: whole burnt offering Aramaic equivalent: a.lah (עֲלָת "burnt offering" H5928)
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to. See also H5766 (עֶוֶל). See also: Genesis 8:20; Numbers 15:5; 2 Chronicles 29:7.
וְ/כִפֶּ֣ר kâphar H3722 "to atone" Conj | V-Piel-3ms
To cover means to coat or cover something, like when the ark was covered with pitch to protect it. This word is also used figuratively to describe making amends or forgiving someone, like in a sacrifice or atonement.
Definition: 1) to cover, purge, make an atonement, make reconciliation 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to cover over, pacify, propitiate 1a2) to cover over, atone for sin, make atonement for 1a3) to cover over, atone for sin and persons by legal rites 1b) (Pual) 1b1) to be covered over 1b2) to be atoned for 1c) (Hithpael) to be covered
Usage: Occurs in 94 OT verses. KJV: appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). See also: Genesis 6:14; Leviticus 16:32; Psalms 65:4.
עָלָ֔י/ו ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
מֵ/אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
חָטָ֖א châṭâʼ H2398 "to sin" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To sin means to miss the mark or go wrong, incurring guilt or penalty, and can also mean to repent or make amends. It is used in the Bible to describe wrongdoing and its consequences.
Definition: 1) to sin, miss, miss the way, go wrong, incur guilt, forfeit, purify from uncleanness 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to miss 1a2) to sin, miss the goal or path of right and duty 1a3) to incur guilt, incur penalty by sin, forfeit 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to bear loss 1b2) to make a sin-offering 1b3) to purify from sin 1b4) to purify from uncleanness 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to miss the mark 1c2) to induce to sin, cause to sin 1c3) to bring into guilt or condemnation or punishment 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to miss oneself, lose oneself, wander from the way 1d2) to purify oneself from uncleanness
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: bear the blame, cleanse, commit (sin), by fault, harm he hath done, loss, miss, (make) offend(-er), offer for sin, purge, purify (self), make reconciliation, (cause, make) sin(-ful, -ness), trespass. See also: Genesis 20:6; 1 Kings 15:34; Psalms 4:5.
עַל ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/נָּ֑פֶשׁ nephesh H5315 "soul" Art | N-cs
The Hebrew word for soul or living being, used in the Bible to describe the essence of a person or animal. It encompasses the ideas of life, breath, and vitality, and is translated as 'soul' or 'creature' in the KJV. This word is central to biblical concepts of humanity and existence.
Definition: 1) soul, self, life, creature, person, appetite, mind, living being, desire, emotion, passion 1a) that which breathes, the breathing substance or being, soul, the inner being of man 1b) living being 1c) living being (with life in the blood) 1d) the man himself, self, person or individual 1e) seat of the appetites 1f) seat of emotions and passions 1g) activity of mind 1g1) uncertain 1h) activity of the will 1h1) uncertain 1i) activity of the character 1i1) uncertain
Usage: Occurs in 683 OT verses. KJV: any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it. See also: Genesis 1:20; Leviticus 26:43; Judges 18:25.
וְ/קִדַּ֥שׁ qâdash H6942 "to consecrate" Conj | V-Piel-3ms
To consecrate means to set something or someone apart as holy or sacred, like the priests in Exodus. This word is about making something clean or pure. It is used in the Bible to describe sacred rituals and moral purity.
Definition: : consecate/sanctify 1) to consecrate, sanctify, prepare, dedicate, be hallowed, be holy, be sanctified, be separate 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be set apart, be consecrated 1a2) to be hallowed 1a3) consecrated, tabooed 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to show oneself sacred or majestic 1b2) to be honoured, be treated as sacred 1b3) to be holy 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to set apart as sacred, consecrate, dedicate 1c2) to observe as holy, keep sacred 1c3) to honour as sacred, hallow 1c4) to consecrate 1d) (Pual) 1d1) to be consecrated 1d2) consecrated, dedicated 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to set apart, devote, consecrate 1e2) to regard or treat as sacred or hallow 1e3) to consecrate 1f) (Hithpael) 1f1) to keep oneself apart or separate 1f2) to cause Himself to be hallowed (of God) 1f3) to be observed as holy 1f4) to consecrate oneself
Usage: Occurs in 154 OT verses. KJV: appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. See also: Genesis 2:3; 2 Samuel 11:4; Isaiah 5:16.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
רֹאשׁ֖/וֹ rôʼsh H7218 "head" N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
בַּ/יּ֥וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
הַ/הֽוּא hûwʼ H1931 "he/she/it" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.

Study Notes — Numbers 6:11

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Leviticus 14:30–31 Then he must sacrifice the turtledoves or young pigeons, whichever he can afford, one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, together with the grain offering. In this way the priest will make atonement before the LORD for the one to be cleansed.
2 Leviticus 5:8–10 He is to bring them to the priest, who shall first present the one for the sin offering. He is to twist its head at the front of its neck without severing it; then he is to sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar, while the rest of the blood is drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. And the priest must prepare the second bird as a burnt offering according to the ordinance. In this way the priest will make atonement for him for the sin he has committed, and he will be forgiven.

Numbers 6:11 Summary

[In Numbers 6:11, the Nazirite had to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering to make atonement for being in the presence of a dead body, which had defiled his consecrated head of hair. This shows us that even unintentional sin can have consequences, but God provides a way for us to seek forgiveness and restoration, as seen in (Leviticus 4:1-3) and (Psalm 51:7-10). The Nazirite then had to consecrate his head again, which meant rededicating himself to the Lord and renewing his commitment to following Him. This is a powerful reminder for us to regularly examine our own lives and seek to renew our commitment to God, just like in (Romans 12:2) and (Ephesians 4:23).]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Nazirite have to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering in Numbers 6:11?

The Nazirite had to offer a sin offering and a burnt offering because he had sinned by being in the presence of a dead body, which defiled his consecrated head of hair, as seen in Numbers 6:9-10, and this act of atonement was necessary to restore his purity before the Lord, similar to the principle found in Leviticus 4:1-3.

What is the significance of consecrating his head again on that day?

Consecrating his head again was a way for the Nazirite to rededicate himself to the Lord and restore his vow of separation, as seen in Numbers 6:12, which is similar to the concept of renewing one's mind and spirit found in Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23.

How does this verse relate to the concept of atonement in the Bible?

This verse illustrates the importance of atonement for sin, as the Nazirite had to make atonement for his unintentional sin, which is a concept also seen in Leviticus 16:20-22 and Hebrews 9:22, highlighting the need for purification and forgiveness in our relationship with God.

What can we learn from the Nazirite's experience in Numbers 6:11?

We can learn the importance of recognizing and addressing sin in our lives, as well as the need to seek forgiveness and restoration, just like the Nazirite did, which is a principle also taught in 1 John 1:9 and Psalm 51:7-10.

Reflection Questions

  1. What are some ways that I may be 'defiled' by the world around me, and how can I seek restoration and purification in my own life?
  2. How can I, like the Nazirite, rededicate myself to the Lord and renew my commitment to following Him?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I may need to make atonement for sin, and how can I take steps to seek forgiveness and restoration?
  4. How can I balance the desire to be separate from the world with the need to engage with and serve others, as seen in the Nazirite's experience?

Gill's Exposition on Numbers 6:11

And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering,.... That is, one of the turtles or young pigeons for the one kind of sacrifice, and one for the other sort;

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 6:11

All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD. If any man die very suddenly by him.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 6:11

Shall offer, Heb. make, which is oft put for sacrificing or offering, as , compared with . For a sin-offering, because such a pollution was, though not his sin, yet the chastisement of his sin, and had an appearance of sin, to wit, of negligence in not standing sufficiently upon his guard, which in such persons was in a manner equivalent to a sin. For that he sinned, i.e. contracted a ceremonial uncleanness, which is called sinning, because it was a type of sin, and a violation of a law, though through ignorance and inadvertency, as many other sins were. Shall hallow; begin again to hallow or consecrate it.

Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 6:11

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.Ver. 11. For that he sinned by the dead.] Heb., By a soul. See on Numbers 5:2.

Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 6:11

(11) And the priest shall offer . . . —The word which is here rendered “offer” (asah), like the Greek poiein, means literally “do.” Its sacrificial signification, however, in this place, is entirely dependent upon the context. By the dead.—i.e., by reason of, or on account of the dead body with which he had been brought in contact.

Cambridge Bible on Numbers 6:11

11. 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, Leviticus 4:3; Leviticus 8:2; Leviticus 8:14 &c.), and Levites (Numbers 8:8; Numbers 8:12); and also to make atonement for inadvertent transgressions (Numbers 15:24; Numbers 15:27, Leviticus 4:2; Leviticus 4:13 &c.), and for ceremonial uncleanness (here, Leviticus 12:6; Leviticus 12:8; Leviticus 14:19; Leviticus 15:15). Before the exile the sin-offering appears only as a fine levied by the priests at the sanctuary (2 Kings 12:16). a burnt-offering] A very ancient rite, expressing self-dedication to God. hallow his head] It had become free from pollution on the previous day, but needed re-hallowing for the purposes of the vow.

Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 6:11

11. Sin offering — See Leviticus 4, notes. Moral and ceremonial impurities are treated alike in the Levitical law. Burnt offering — See Leviticus i, notes. Atonement — See Leviticus 1:4; Leviticus 4:20, notes.

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