Numbers 6:11 kjv
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.
Numbers 6:11 nkjv
and the priest shall offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned in regard to the corpse; and he shall sanctify his head that same day.
Numbers 6:11 niv
The priest is to offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for the Nazirite because they sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day they are to consecrate their head again.
Numbers 6:11 esv
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
Numbers 6:11 nlt
The priest will offer one of the birds for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way, he will purify them from the guilt they incurred through contact with the dead body. Then they must reaffirm their commitment and let their hair begin to grow again.
Numbers 6 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 6:2 | "When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite..." | Introduces the Nazarite vow as a dedication. |
| Num 6:6 | "All the days that he separates himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body." | Core rule of Nazarite vow, directly relates to the defilement. |
| Num 6:9 | "if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration..." | Explains the specific event leading to the need for ritual. |
| Num 6:10 | "and on the seventh day he shall shave his head; and on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves..." | Specifies initial cleansing and required sacrifices for defilement. |
| Num 6:12 | "And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering..." | Clarifies the restart of the vow and the subsequent guilt offering. |
| Lev 4:2 | "When a soul shall sin through ignorance against any of the commandments of the LORD..." | General principle of offerings for unintentional sin/defilement. |
| Lev 4:20 | "And the priest shall make an atonement for them, and it shall be forgiven them." | Explains the purpose and effect of a sin offering. |
| Lev 1:4 | "And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him." | Function of burnt offering in atonement and acceptance. |
| Lev 5:7 | "if he be not able to bring a lamb, then he shall bring for his trespass, two turtledoves..." | Provides alternative for the poor in sacrificial animals, relevant to Num 6:10. |
| Lev 15:31 | "Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle..." | Emphasizes separation from uncleanness to avoid judgment. |
| Num 19:11-13 | "He that toucheth the dead body of any man shall be unclean seven days... sprinkle upon him on the third day, and on the seventh day..." | Details the general laws for purification after touching a dead body. |
| Num 19:19 | "...the priest shall make an atonement for him." | Priest's role in making atonement for defilement by the dead. |
| Heb 9:22 | "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." | General principle of blood sacrifices for purification and forgiveness. |
| Heb 10:4 | "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." | Points to the limitations of animal sacrifices as a foreshadowing. |
| Rom 3:23 | "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." | Broad theological truth that all humans are defiled/sinful. |
| Rom 6:23 | "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." | Connects defilement/sin with death, contrasted with life. |
| Eph 5:26 | "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word..." | New Covenant cleansing and sanctification, mirroring Old Testament rituals. |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." | Principle of confession and divine cleansing for believers. |
| 2 Cor 7:1 | "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." | Exhortation to purity in both body and spirit. |
| Lev 11:44 | "For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy..." | Calls for God's people to maintain holiness, the ultimate goal of rituals. |
| 1 Pet 1:15-16 | "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." | New Covenant reiteration of the call to holiness. |
Numbers 6 verses
Numbers 6 11 Meaning
Numbers 6:11 details the required ritual for a Nazarite who has accidentally become defiled by proximity to a dead body. This defilement breaks the sanctity of their vow to God. The verse outlines that the priest must offer two specific sacrifices: a sin offering for purification from the defilement, and a burnt offering symbolizing renewed dedication to God. These offerings make atonement for the Nazarite's unintended transgression, enabling them to re-consecrate their head and effectively restart their special period of separation from that day forward.
Numbers 6 11 Context
Numbers chapter 6 describes the unique institution of the Nazarite vow, a voluntary commitment by an Israelite to special separation unto the LORD for a specified period. Key prohibitions for a Nazarite included abstinence from grape products, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with any dead body, even that of a close family member (Num 6:3-7). This rigorous discipline aimed at fostering extreme purity and dedication.
Verse 11 is situated within the provisions for handling a breach of this vow. Specifically, it addresses the sudden and often unavoidable defilement by a dead body, which renders the Nazarite's prior dedication null and void from the point of contamination. Such defilement was a grave concern in ancient Israel, as contact with death rendered a person ritually unclean and temporarily excluded them from community worship. For a Nazarite, whose very state was one of heightened holiness and separation, this breach required immediate and prescribed action to purify them, make atonement, and allow them to re-establish their vow. The cultural emphasis on purity for temple service and maintaining fellowship with a holy God underpins these intricate ritual requirements.
Numbers 6 11 Word analysis
- and the priest: Refers to the Kohen (כֹּהֵן), the designated religious official and mediator between God and the people. Their role was critical in administering all sacrificial rites and maintaining covenant order.
- shall offer: From the Hebrew verb הִקְרִיב (hiqriv), meaning "to cause to come near" or "to bring forward." It denotes the act of presenting an offering or sacrifice to God, an act of ritual closeness.
- the one for a sin offering: Referring to one of the turtledoves or young pigeons brought by the Nazarite. A חַטָּאת (chatta't), or "sin offering," was primarily for atonement for unintentional sins, or more often, to purify a person or object from ritual defilement. It served to cleanse and restore ritual purity to one who had inadvertently 'missed the mark' in observing God's law.
- and the other for a burnt offering: The second animal brought by the Nazarite. An עֹלָה (olah), or "burnt offering," was entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete surrender, devotion, and propitiation. It indicated general atonement and reconciliation, signifying a renewal of dedication and a pleasing aroma to God.
- and make an atonement for him: From the Hebrew וְכִפֶּר עָלָיו (vekipper alav), literally "to cover over him" or "to purge him." This term carries profound theological weight, signifying the act by which guilt or impurity is ritually covered or expiated, allowing for restoration of the relationship with God. The covering effect removed the barrier created by the defilement.
- for that he sinned by the dead: Hebrew עַל אֲשֶׁר חָטָא עַל נֶפֶשׁ (al asher chata al nefesh), "for that he has sinned concerning a soul/dead person." Here, "sinned" (חָטָא, chata) indicates an offense against the sacred law, not necessarily a moral failing, but a ritual impurity that broke the special holiness of the Nazarite vow. The "dead" (נֶפֶשׁ, nefesh, "soul" or "dead body") highlights the specific nature of the defilement, which rendered the person extremely unclean.
- and shall hallow his head: From וְהִקְדִּישׁ אֶת רֹאשׁוֹ (vehiqdish et rosho), meaning "to sanctify his head" or "to set his head apart." This act symbolizes the renewal of the Nazarite vow from that point. The hair, grown long during the vow, represented their consecrated state. Since defilement required shaving the head (Num 6:9), this command to "hallow his head" implies starting afresh, renewing the commitment to the vow from that day, allowing the hair to grow again as a visible sign of new consecration.
- that same day: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (bayyom hahu). Emphasizes the immediacy of the required ritual after the defilement is identified and preliminary cleansing occurs. There is no delay in addressing the breach of holiness and returning to a state of dedication.
Numbers 6 11 Bonus section
The requirements in Numbers 6:11 demonstrate that holiness in ancient Israel was not merely an abstract concept but a tangible state maintained through precise ritual. The "sin" by the dead was a state of defilement, not necessarily a willful transgression, yet it still necessitated a cleansing through sacrifice. This highlights the absolute standard of God's purity and the consequence of impurity. The grace in this passage is profound: despite the Nazarite's breach, God provided a clear, accessible path to restoration, ensuring that dedicated service could continue rather than be permanently forfeited. This also prefigures the ultimate "sin offering" of Christ, who fully purifies and makes atonement, enabling New Covenant believers to walk in newness of life despite their ongoing imperfections (2 Cor 5:21, Heb 10:10-14). The "hallowing of his head that same day" suggests the constant readiness required for those consecrated to God—to swiftly return to holiness and spiritual pursuit.
Numbers 6 11 Commentary
Numbers 6:11 reveals the divine provision for restoration even after an unintended failure in a consecrated state. The pairing of the sin offering and the burnt offering is significant: the chatta't addressed the impurity and breach of ritual holiness, while the olah signified a recommitment and full devotion to God, recognizing the need to renew what was disrupted. The act of "making atonement" underscores God's gracious provision to reconcile the defiled Nazarite to Himself. This was not a moral judgment for a willful sin, but a rectification of a state of impurity that impeded fellowship with a holy God. The command to "hallow his head that same day" underscores the immediacy and urgency of restoring one's dedicated status, emphasizing that God desires not the abandonment of vows due to imperfection, but diligent perseverance and purity through divinely ordained means.
- Example: A dedicated Christian experiences a moment of spiritual apathy or drifts unintentionally into practices that compromise their walk. This verse implies God provides a way to confess, repent (spiritual "shaving of the head" and cleansing), and renew their spiritual commitment (through the sacrifice of Christ, which atones, and the Spirit, which empowers renewed dedication).
- Example: For someone pursuing a spiritual discipline or vow (e.g., specific fasting, serving), an accidental lapse should not lead to abandonment, but to a recognition of the breach, seeking spiritual cleansing, and recommitting to the purpose from that moment on.