BSN: Nazirite vow

  • This provision of the Law of Moses was optional for Israelites, presented and described by Moses in Num 6:1-21.
  • The word “nazirite” meant “separated.” The idea was that a person would “separate” himself from people and to the Lord. It did not require isolation, but did limit a person’s behavior in certain ways. It’s most notable features were the avoidance of…
    • haircuts
    • alcohol, and any other product of a grape
    • dead bodies
  • The vow could be taken for a selected number of days (as Paul did in Acts 18:18 and 21:24-26; 24:18) or for a lifetime (as was the case with Samson – Judg 13:5, 7; 16:17).
  • Because its requirements for separation were stringent, it was seldom undertaken on a lifelong basis. Still, they are given general mention in Lam 4:7 and Amos 2:11.
  • The most notable lifelong nazirites were Samson (Judg 13:5, 7; 16:17) , Samuel (1 Sam 1:11-12), and John the Baptist (Lk 1:15) and were all three dedicated to it before they were born by their parents.

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