Numbers 6 18

Numbers 6:18 kjv

And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

Numbers 6:18 nkjv

Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the door of the tabernacle of meeting, and shall take the hair from his consecrated head and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering.

Numbers 6:18 niv

"?'Then at the entrance to the tent of meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that symbolizes their dedication. They are to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.

Numbers 6:18 esv

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.

Numbers 6:18 nlt

"Then the Nazirites will shave their heads at the entrance of the Tabernacle. They will take the hair that had been dedicated and place it on the fire beneath the peace-offering sacrifice.

Numbers 6 verses

Numbers 6 18 Meaning

Numbers 6:18 describes the ritual conclusion of a Nazirite's period of separation to the Lord. At the Tabernacle's entrance, the Nazirite publicly shaves off their dedicated hair—the visible sign of their vow—and then burns it on the altar, specifically under the fire used for a peace offering. This act symbolizes the return of the devoted life to God, making their consecrated self, represented by the hair, part of an acceptable offering, signifying the completion and acceptance of their vow and renewed fellowship with God.

Numbers 6 18 Context

Numbers chapter 6 details the Nazirite vow, a voluntary commitment by an Israelite, male or female, to set themselves apart to the Lord for a specific period. This separation involved three prohibitions: abstaining from grape products (wine, vinegar, fresh grapes, dried grapes), not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with any dead body. The entire chapter outlines the regulations for undertaking this vow, its maintenance, purification rituals if defiled, and crucially, the procedure for its completion. Verse 18 is part of this culminating procedure, detailing a critical ritual act after the Nazirite has brought specific sacrifices: a male lamb for a burnt offering, a female lamb for a sin offering, and a ram for a peace offering, along with grain offerings and drink offerings. The act described in this verse—shaving the head and burning the hair—marks the symbolic and ritualistic end of their special period of consecration, returning them to an ordinary state while affirming God's acceptance of their devotion. Historically and culturally, this vow provided a means for individuals outside the priestly tribe to undertake a period of heightened holiness, demonstrating intense personal devotion to Yahweh, distinguishing them temporarily within the community. There are no direct polemics in this verse, but the distinct regulations underscore the unique covenant relationship and demands of Yahweh as opposed to the arbitrary practices of surrounding pagan cults.

Numbers 6 18 Word analysis

• And the Nazirite (וְהַנָּזִיר - ve-ha-Nazir):

  • Nazir derives from the Hebrew root נזר (N.Z.R), meaning "to separate," "to consecrate," or "to dedicate." It implies a state of being "set apart" for a holy purpose.
  • Significance: Highlights the individual who has undertaken this specific vow of separation unto God, emphasizing their distinct status during the vow. This word identifies the subject of the action as one who has been under special divine obligation.

• shall shave (גִּלַּח - gillakh):

  • Means to cut, to shave off completely. This is a deliberate, public, and definitive action.
  • Significance: It marks the decisive end of the visible sign of their vow (the uncut hair). This act signifies completion and removal of the unique state of separation, transitioning the individual back to an ordinary life, while also being an act of humility and relinquishment before God.

• the head of his separation (רֹאשׁ נִזְרוֹ - rosh nizro):

  • Literally "the head of his Naziriteship" or "the head of his consecration/crown." It specifically refers to the long, uncut hair that grew during the vow, which served as the outward sign of their Nazirite status.
  • Significance: The hair symbolized the strength, vitality, and visible dedication of the Nazirite. By cutting it and offering it, they offered the very essence and outward manifestation of their separated life to God, acknowledging His ownership over their period of devotion.

• at the door of the tabernacle of meeting (פֶּתַח אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד - petach ohel mo'ed):

  • "Door" (פֶּתַח - petach) signifies entrance, accessibility, and public space. "Tabernacle of meeting" (ohel mo'ed) is the central sanctuary where God met with Israel.
  • Significance: This specified location is highly significant. It was the consecrated place where sacrifices were brought, and divine presence manifested. Performing the act here underscored its sacredness, public nature, and divine acceptance, signifying that the vow and its completion were recognized by God and the community. It emphasized the worshiper's approach to God.

• and shall take the hair of the head of his separation and put it on the fire (וְלָקַח אֶת-שְׂעַר רֹאשׁ נִזְרוֹ וְנָתַן עַל-הָאֵשׁ - ve-laqach et-sear rosh nizro ve-natan al-ha-esh):

  • This is a two-part action: taking the shorn hair and placing it directly into the fire.
  • Significance: This signifies the complete relinquishment and offering of what was the most tangible symbol of their Nazirite vow. Placing it on the fire consecrated it, symbolically transferring it to the divine realm. It was an act of full surrender and giving thanks for the ability to complete the vow. The fire represents divine acceptance and purification.

• which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering (אֲשֶׁר תַּחַת זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים - asher tachat zevach hash-shlamim):

  • "Peace offering" (זֶבַח הַשְּׁלָמִים - zevach hash-shlamim) often implies fellowship, communion, or well-being. It was unique in that parts were given to God (fat, specific organs), parts to the priests, and the remaining meat was eaten by the worshiper and his family, signifying communal peace and feasting with God.
  • Significance: By placing the hair on the fire under or with the peace offering, the act is integrated into a sacrifice that culminates in fellowship and communion with God. This context emphasizes that the completion of the vow is not merely an obligation but results in renewed harmony and peace between the individual and God, often celebrated by eating the sacred meal. The hair is completely offered and consumed by fire, symbolizing a pure offering dedicated to God that He accepts and blesses with peace.

Numbers 6 18 Bonus section

• The Hair as a "Crown": In rabbinic tradition, the Nazirite's uncut hair was often referred to as his "crown" (nezer), echoing the idea of a priestly crown (Lev 21:12). This reinforces the idea that the Nazirite had a kingly or priestly status during their period of separation, emphasizing their dedication and holiness before God. The cutting of this "crown" at the Tabernacle signifies laying down their special consecrated status, returning it to God.
• Costly Offering: The elaborate procedure, including the need for multiple sacrifices (burnt, sin, peace offerings) alongside the grain and drink offerings, made the completion of a Nazirite vow a costly undertaking. This financial outlay, coupled with the commitment of their person and time, underscored the serious and voluntary nature of this personal act of devotion to God.
• Symbolic Continuity and Discontinuity: The Nazirite vow provided a mechanism for temporary, individual consecration for any Israelite, in contrast to the permanent, hereditary consecration of the priests. While the shaving symbolized discontinuity with the Nazirite state, the burning of the hair with the peace offering provided a profound continuity of devotion, as the essence of their separated life was integrated into an eternal offering to God, establishing an ongoing peaceful relationship.

Numbers 6 18 Commentary

Numbers 6:18 details the climactic ritual of a Nazirite's completed vow. The shaving of the consecrated hair, performed publicly at the Tabernacle door, was not an act of discarding but an act of sacred dedication. The hair, having been the physical embodiment and visible proof of their devotion during the vow, was ritually offered to God by being placed into the fire that consumed parts of the peace offering. This specific location and context signify several profound truths. First, it underscores the sacredness and divine acceptance of the completed vow. The hair, symbolic of the Nazirite's entire period of separation, was transferred into the sphere of divine fire, symbolizing a complete surrender of that period of their life to God. Second, by placing it with the peace offering, it highlights the restored fellowship and reconciliation that God grants to the individual who has faithfully completed their period of special devotion. The Nazirite, having honored their pledge, now returns to a state of peace and communion, free to partake in normal life. This act demonstrates that while personal separation is temporary, its completion leads to lasting fellowship with a gracious God.