Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Numbers 6
Numbers 6:2"Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,"
This verse is remarkable because it extends the opportunity for deep, personal consecration to all Israelites, men and women, not exclusively to priests.Numbers 6:8All the days of his separation he is holy to the Lord.
This statement summarizes the entire purpose of the Nazirite's actions. Their separation signified a state of holiness dedicated to the Lord, rather than simply following rules.Numbers 6:24-26The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Known as the Aaronic Blessing, this beautiful passage reveals the heart of God. It shows His deep desire to actively protect, be gracious to, and give peace to His people.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Path for Personal Devotion
This chapter is situated within a larger section of the book of Numbers where God is giving Moses instructions for organizing Israel into a holy community. After laws about camp purity and restitution for wrongs in chapter 5, chapter 6 provides a unique outlet for personal piety. It shows that within the structured community, there was always room for an individual's voluntary and passionate expression of faith.
From an Individual Vow to a Corporate Blessing
The chapter makes a significant pivot at the end. After detailing the very specific and demanding requirements of an individual's vow, the focus broadens dramatically. God commands the priests to speak a blessing over the entire nation. This transition from the individual to the community, and from human action to divine promise, serves as a powerful conclusion, reminding everyone that their relationship with God is ultimately sustained by His grace and favor.
The Nazirite Vow and the Priestly Blessing
In Numbers 6, God lays out for Moses the regulations for a special kind of commitment called the Nazirite vow. This was a way for everyday Israelites to dedicate themselves to God for a period of time in a particularly focused way. The chapter details the rules for this vow, what to do if it's broken, and how to complete it, before concluding with the beautiful blessing the priests were to pronounce over all the people.
The Three Rules of Separation (Numbers 6:1-8)
1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,"
3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink.
4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is produced by the grapevine, not even the seeds or the skins.
5 “All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. Until the time is completed for which he separates himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. He shall let the locks of hair of his head grow long.
6 "All the days that he separates himself to the Lord he shall not go near a dead body.
7 He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother, for his brother or his sister, when they die, because his separation to God is on his head.
8 All the days of his separation he is holy to the Lord.
Commentary:
A Nazirite vow required abstaining from grape products, letting hair grow long, and avoiding dead bodies to be holy to the Lord.
When a Vow is Broken (Numbers 6:9-12)
9 “And if any man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.
10 And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two pigeons to the priest to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
11 And 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 body. And he shall consecrate his head that same day,
12 And he shall separate himself to the Lord for the days of his separation and bring a male lamb a year old for a guilt offering. But the previous days shall be void, because his separation was defiled.
Commentary:
If a Nazirite accidentally touched a dead body, they had to perform a cleansing ritual and restart their vow from the beginning.
Completing the Vow (Numbers 6:13-21)
13 "And this is the law for the Nazirite, when the time of his separation has been completed: he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting,"
14 and he shall bring his offering to the Lord, one male lamb a year old without blemish for a burnt offering, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish as a sin offering, and one ram without blemish as a peace offering,
15 and a basket of unleavened bread, loaves of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers smeared with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offerings.
16 "And the priest shall bring them before the Lord and offer his sin offering and his burnt offering,"
17 and he shall offer the ram as a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord, with the basket of unleavened bread. He shall offer also its grain offering and its drink offering.
18 And the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance of the tent of meeting and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of the peace offering.
19 And the priest shall take the shoulder of the ram, when it is boiled, and one unleavened loaf out of the basket and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the Nazirite, after he has shaved the hair of his consecration,
20 And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the Lord. They are a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed. And after that the Nazirite may drink wine.
21 “This is the law of the Nazirite. On the day when the period of his separation is over, he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting,
Commentary:
At the end of the vow, the Nazirite made several sacrifices and offered their hair to God, officially concluding their period of separation.
The Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:22-27)
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
27 "So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them."
Commentary:
God instructs the priests to bless the people with a specific prayer for protection, grace, and peace, promising to place His name on them.
Key Themes in Numbers 6
Voluntary Consecration
Unlike the priesthood, which was an inherited office, the Nazirite vow was a personal choice open to any Israelite. This highlights that a deep, sacrificial relationship with God is not limited to a special class but is available to anyone who desires it.
Holiness as Visible Separation
The specific rules for the Nazirite - avoiding wine, letting hair grow, and staying away from the dead - made their commitment visible to the whole community. This teaches that holiness is not merely an internal feeling. It is often expressed through tangible, real-world choices that set a person apart from the surrounding culture.
God's Heart of Blessing
The chapter's final section, the Aaronic Blessing, reveals God's fundamental character. After pages of laws, God's final word here is one of overwhelming grace, favor, and peace. It shows that His relationship with His people is ultimately defined by His desire to bless them.
Living Out the Principles of Numbers 6
While we don't follow these specific rules, the principle of setting yourself apart for God for a season is timeless. You might choose to fast from social media, a certain food, or a form of entertainment for a period to focus more intensely on prayer or studying Scripture. As Numbers 6:8 shows, the goal is to be 'holy to the Lord' in a special way.
The process for dealing with accidental defilement in Numbers 6:9-12 is a powerful picture of grace. It teaches you that a misstep in your walk with God is not a final failure. You can come to God, acknowledge your fault, receive His forgiveness, and begin again with a fresh start.
The blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 is a beautiful prayer you can use for yourself, your family, or your friends. Praying these words invites you to see God as He is: a loving Father who wants to protect you, be gracious to you, and fill your life with His peace. It helps align your heart with His good intentions for you.
Devotion Answered by Divine Blessing
Numbers 6 reveals that God creates space for our passionate devotion and responds with His powerful blessing. He provides a path for any person to draw near to Him in a radical way, showing that heartfelt commitment is highly valued. Yet, the chapter's final word is not about our effort, but about God's character. His ultimate desire is to place His name upon His people and pour out His protection, grace, and peace.
What This Means for Us Today
Numbers 6 invites us to consider what we might set apart for God out of love and devotion. It assures us that as we take steps to draw near to Him, He is already turning His face toward us, ready to bless us. The call is to respond to His constant grace with our focused consecration.
- Is there something in your life God might be asking you to set aside for a season to grow closer to Him?
- How can you more intentionally live in the reality of God's blessing described in Numbers 6:24-27?
- Who in your life can you speak this blessing over this week?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
This preceding chapter deals with laws of purity within the Israelite camp, setting the stage for the personal purity of the Nazirite vow.
The following chapter describes the offerings of the tribal leaders for the dedication of the tabernacle, shifting from personal devotion back to corporate worship.
Connections Across Scripture
This chapter tells the story of the birth of Samson, who was dedicated by God as a Nazirite from birth.
An angel announces that John the Baptist will be filled with the Holy Spirit and will live under Nazirite-like restrictions, such as abstaining from wine.
The Apostle Paul participates in the purification rites for men who had taken a vow, showing the practice was still known in the New Testament era.
Discussion Questions
- The Nazirite vow was a temporary, voluntary commitment. What is the value in setting aside a specific season for intense spiritual focus, rather than attempting to maintain a general level of devotion constantly?
- The Nazirite's holiness was demonstrated by outward signs (like their hair). In what ways can or should a Christian's inner commitment to God be visible to others today?
- How does the final blessing in Numbers 6:24-27 shape your understanding of God's laws? Does it feel more like a loving Father's guidance than a strict judge's rules?
Glossary
figures
theological concepts
Nazirite Vow
A voluntary, temporary vow of special devotion to God, marked by abstaining from grape products, haircuts, and contact with the dead.
Consecration
The act of setting someone or something apart from common use for a purpose holy and dedicated to God.
Atonement
The process of making things right with God after a sin or defilement, often through a sacrifice.
terms
Burnt Offering
A sacrifice that was completely burned on the altar, symbolizing total surrender and devotion to God.
Sin Offering
A sacrifice made to atone for unintentional sins and restore a person's relationship with God.
Peace Offering
A sacrifice to express thanksgiving and celebrate fellowship and peace with God, a portion of which was eaten by the worshiper.
Wave Offering
A portion of a sacrifice that was symbolically waved before the Lord by the priest as a special contribution.