Numbers 6

Numbers 6:2

MAn or woman] Then were Nazarites of both sexes.

Nazarite] See Annot. on vers. 4.

Numbers 6:3

strong drinke] All liquor that doth inebriate, or incline to drunkennesse.

moyst grapes, or dried] The abstinence was so strict, that he must have neither meat nor drinke from the Vine; and so must neither drinke wine, nor sip vineger, or dip in it; nor eate grapes though dryed up into raysens.

Numbers 6:4

separation] Or, Nazariteship. Nazir is one separated from the common state and libertie of this life, with speciall dedication of himselfe unto God; whereof there were some who were separated by a voluntary vow, for a certaine time of their owne setting, (concerning which the Law determineth nothing) and some were Nazarites for their whole life; such an one was Sampson, Judg. 13. 5. and Samuel, 1 Samuel 1:11. Of the former sort Moses treateth here, and Luke Acts 21:23.

Numbers 6:5

no rasour] Nor Cisers, for by them the locks might be cut off as well as by a rasour.

Numbers 6:6

no dead body] Neither to mourne over it, nor to bury it; the word in the Originall is Soule, but it is taken for the person, and in this case the person is taken for the body; see Leviticus 21:1. in this the Nazarite was like unto the High-priest, Leviticus 21:11.

Numbers 6:7

uncleane] See Annot. on Leviticus 21:1.

father] Having vowed himselfe to God, he must preferre his vow to him, above any ceremonious observances to his neerest kindred, Matth. 8. 21, 22.

upon his head] The suffering of his haire to grow, was a signe of his consecration to God.

Numbers 6:9

shave his head] His haire by the dead being legally defiled.

seventh day] From the pollution; for by the dead body an uncleannesse was contracted or caused for seven dayes, Numbers 19:11. and on the seventh day, he that was before ceremonially uncleane, was ceremoniously cleansed, vers. 12.

Numbers 6:11

hallow his head] Beginning his vow againe the eighth day, when he is purified; for the dayes that were before shall be lost, because his separation was desiled: vers. 12.

Numbers 6:14

be shall offer] Upon a sudden, unwitting, and unwilling defilement by the dead, the Nazarite was to offer for his purging, vers. 10. but though he knew nothing by himselfe, he must end his vow with manifold oblations; among which a sinoffering must be one, since no votarie is so sincere, and precise, but he may offend, though he knew it not; and therefore by this he did acknowledge himselfe a sinfull man.

Numbers 6:18

as the doore] Publiquely, to testifie that now his vow was at an end.

in the fire] Some take this fire to be the fire of the Altar; others think it was the fire of the kitchen which served to boyle the peace-offerings; which yet was no profane fire, though not so holy as that of the Altar; for the haire which was consecrated to the Lord might not be put into any profane place: and this sheweth that the whole man should be holy to the Lord, even to an haire; as his providence reacheth to the numbering of our haires, Matthew 10:30.

Numbers 6:19

sodden shoulder] The right shoulder was due to the Priest raw, Leviticus 7:32. but in the offering, he was to have the left shoulder sodden, and this was his peculiar portion of the Ram of the Nazarite, which in other oblations was not his due.

Numbers 6:20

wave-offering] See Annot. on Exodus 29:24.

after that] Not after the terme of his vow, but after the performances formerly required for his release; for as his vow was made solemnly to God, so he cannot be fairely discharged of it, without a solemne dismission from God.

drinke wine] Though wine onely be mentioned, yet is he for other particulars of the vow of a Nazarite restored to his libertie, as before he vowed.

Numbers 6:21

besides that] At least he shall doe this, if he be able to doe no more.

Numbers 6:23

on this wise] Or thus in a set forme of words.

ye shall blesse] See Annot. on vers. 24.

Numbers 6:24

The Lord blesse] It is ye shall blesse in the precedent verse; the Priests blessing was Optative, and yet it was more then an ordinary praying; because it was a part of their Priestly calling to blesse in the name of the Lord, or by his command, Deuteronomy 21:5. and for that they had with the command a promise, vers. 27. of this Chapter.

Numbers 6:27

put my Name] They shall pray in my Name for them.