Numbers 6:2 kjv
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:
Numbers 6:2 nkjv
"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD,
Numbers 6:2 niv
"Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'If a man or woman wants to make a special vow, a vow of dedication to the LORD as a Nazirite,
Numbers 6:2 esv
"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,
Numbers 6:2 nlt
"Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. "If any of the people, either men or women, take the special vow of a Nazirite, setting themselves apart to the LORD in a special way,
Numbers 6 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 6:3-8 | The Nazirite prohibitions (wine, razor, dead body). | Defines specific behaviors of separation. |
| Deut 23:21 | When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it. | Importance of fulfilling vows made to God. |
| Ps 116:14 | I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. | Public commitment and fidelity to vows. |
| Eccl 5:4 | When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it. | Reiteration on the solemnity of vows. |
| Judg 13:5 | Samson...shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb. | Example of a perpetual, divine Nazirite. |
| 1 Sam 1:11 | Hannah vowed a vow...give him to the LORD all the days of his life. | Samuel's dedication, perpetual service. |
| Amos 2:11-12 | I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. | God's calling to special roles of separation. |
| Lam 4:7 | Her Nazirites were purer than snow, whiter than milk. | Highlights their intended purity and distinction. |
| Isa 66:19 | From them also I will take for priests and for Levites. | God calls diverse people for his service. |
| Acts 18:18 | Paul...had his hair cut...for he was under a vow. | Paul participating in a vow (likely a Nazirite-like act). |
| Acts 21:23-24 | Four men who are under a vow...purify yourself...and pay their expenses. | Apostles' respect for temple vows like Nazirite. |
| Lev 27:2 | If anyone makes a special vow...you shall value persons. | General principles of vows and valuation. |
| Jer 35:6-8 | Rechabites' vow not to drink wine, build houses, sow seed. | Group voluntarily lives by specific separation rules. |
| Rom 12:1 | Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God. | New Covenant call to spiritual consecration. |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit...glorify God in your body. | Believers as temples, call to purity and dedication. |
| 2 Cor 6:17-18 | Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. | Call to separation from worldly defilement for believers. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. | New Covenant corporate "Nazirite" concept (holy nation). |
| Heb 10:10 | We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ. | Ultimate consecration through Christ's sacrifice. |
| Col 3:1-2 | Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. | Spiritual separation in thought and focus. |
| Phil 2:13 | God works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | Divine enablement for voluntary commitment. |
| 1 Thess 5:23 | May your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless. | Wholistic dedication and purity. |
Numbers 6 verses
Numbers 6 2 Meaning
Numbers 6:2 describes the voluntary and exceptional vow of a Nazirite, which allows both men and women from the Israelite community to specially dedicate or separate themselves to the Lord for a period of time. This act is not an obligation but a freely chosen spiritual commitment to live a life of heightened devotion and separation for God's purposes.
Numbers 6 2 Context
Numbers chapter 6 introduces the laws concerning the Nazirite vow. This section follows chapters dealing with the encampment arrangements, priestly duties, and a special offering (Num 5:9-10). It provides a voluntary spiritual avenue for ordinary Israelites (non-Levites) to express heightened devotion to God. While priests were set apart by birth, and Levites by tribe, the Nazirite was separated by a personal choice, often for a limited time. This practice allowed a deep, personal commitment to holiness beyond the general requirements of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing a radical form of consecration to the Lord through specific abstentions (wine, razor, dead bodies). It contrasts the temporary nature of this individual vow with the perpetual, hereditary roles of the priesthood, showcasing God's desire for diverse expressions of worship and commitment from His people.
Numbers 6 2 Word analysis
- Speak (דַּבֵּר - dābēr): This imperative verb (Hiphil, "to cause to speak," often "to command") indicates a direct divine instruction from God to Moses, signaling the authority and importance of the following statutes for the community of Israel.
- to the sons of Israel (אֶל-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - ʾel bənē Yiśrāʾēl): Designates the specific audience for these commands—the entire Israelite community. It signifies the universal applicability of this option for personal dedication, not limited to a select group or tribe.
- and you shall say to them (וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם - wəʾāmarta ʾalēhem): This reiterates and reinforces the divine mandate for Moses to convey these instructions clearly and directly to the people, ensuring their understanding and compliance.
- When either a man or a woman (אִישׁ אוֹ אִשָּׁה - ʾîš ʾô ʾiššâ): Crucially emphasizes the gender inclusivity of the Nazirite vow. Unlike certain priestly roles restricted to males, both men and women could make this unique and intense commitment to God, highlighting God's egalitarian approach to personal devotion.
- shall make a special vow (יַפְלִיא נֶדֶר - yaflîʾ neder):
- יַפְלִיא (yaflîʾ, Hiphil of פלא, pala): Literally "to make distinct," "to make wonderful," "to distinguish oneself," "to act wonderfully." Here, it signifies doing something unusual, extraordinary, or exceptional. It's an act that sets someone apart, going beyond the standard religious duties.
- נֶדֶר (neder): A vow, a solemn promise or pledge made voluntarily to God. It implies a free will offering or commitment that, once made, becomes binding.
- the vow of a Nazirite (נֶדֶר נָזִיר - neder nāzîr):
- נָזִיר (nāzîr): From the root נזר (nāzar), meaning "to separate," "to dedicate," "to consecrate." A Nazirite is literally "one who is separated" or "one who is consecrated." This term encapsulates the core essence of the vow: setting oneself apart from common practices for a period of sacred devotion.
- to separate himself to the Lord (לְהַזִּיר לַיהוָה - ləhazzîr laYHWH):
- לְהַזִּיר (ləhazzîr, Hiphil of נזר, nazar): Again, the verb "to separate," but here explicitly stating the purpose of the separation. It's a deliberate act of consecration.
- לַיהוָה (laYHWH): "To YHWH" (the covenant name of God). This emphasizes that the separation is not for self-righteousness, public acclaim, or magical power, but directly for the worship and service of the one true God. The focus is entirely God-ward.
Numbers 6 2 Bonus section
The Nazirite vow served as a powerful illustration that true dedication to God was not limited to birthright (as with priests) but could be chosen and cultivated by anyone with a willing heart. This flexibility demonstrated God's accessibility and His desire for intimate, consecrated relationships with all His people. Furthermore, the Nazirite served as a visible reminder to the community about the possibility of an elevated state of holiness and separation unto God, potentially inspiring others to examine their own devotion or to seek similar paths of consecration. The voluntary nature of the Nazirite vow prefigures New Testament concepts of spiritual devotion, where believers are called to be a "holy nation" and "royal priesthood" (1 Pet 2:9), not by birth or temporary vows, but by spiritual rebirth and ongoing consecration to Christ (Rom 12:1). It underscores the principle that deep spiritual commitment often involves intentional separation from worldly comforts or norms for the sake of drawing closer to God.
Numbers 6 2 Commentary
Numbers 6:2 lays the foundational principle for the Nazirite vow: a completely voluntary act of extraordinary consecration to the Lord, open to all Israelites regardless of gender. This emphasizes God's gracious invitation for individuals to enter into a deeper, temporary walk of holiness, even without belonging to the priestly or Levitical lines. The "special vow" signifies a dedication above and beyond ordinary communal obedience, highlighting personal commitment and intentional pursuit of God's presence. It represents a spiritual opportunity for radical devotion, marked by specific outward practices that visually symbolized an inward heart-focus on God, distinct from the common ways of life. This showcases God's desire for fervent devotion and allows a pathway for ordinary individuals to live in a priestly-like state of separation and holiness for a set period, entirely for His glory.