The Nazirite Vow
Numbers 6:1-21
Num.6.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Numbers 1:1 (structural): Same formulaic opening 'And the LORD spake unto Moses' introducing an official command (the census); parallels the literary device that frames divine instructions to Moses.
- Leviticus 1:1 (structural): A near-identical priestly introduction ('And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him') used throughout the cultic legislation, showing the conventional formula for God addressing Moses to give laws.
- Exodus 20:1 (thematic): 'And God spake all these words, saying' introduces the Ten Commandments; parallels Num 6:1 as a divine preface signaling authoritative legal/ethical material.
- Judges 13:5 (thematic): The angel's instruction that Samson (from the womb) must abstain from wine and not be shaved parallels the subject matter of Numbers 6 (the Nazirite vow), connecting the legal/ritual theme of separation to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
- And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Num.6.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אלהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- יפלא: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לנדר: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- נדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נזיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להזיר: PREP+VERB,hiph,inf
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Judges 13:5 (verbal): Direct reference to a Nazirite vow in the birth narrative of Samson—explicitly designates the child as a Nazirite to the LORD, echoing the institution of Nazirite dedication in Numbers 6.
- Leviticus 27:2-8 (thematic): Regulations governing vows and dedications to the LORD; Leviticus treats the valuation and consequences of vowed dedications, parallel to Numbers 6’s special rules for a Nazirite vow.
- Deuteronomy 23:21-23 (thematic): General law requiring that vows made to the LORD be fulfilled promptly—thematises the obligation and seriousness of vows, which provides the legal/ethical background for Nazirite vows in Numbers 6.
- Acts 21:23-26 (allusion): In the New Testament, Paul participates in rites and pays for men who had taken a vow (likely Nazirite vows); echoes the practice of voluntary vow-taking described in Numbers 6 and its social/religious implications.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (thematic): Hannah’s vow to dedicate her son to the LORD (and her subsequent fulfilment) parallels the practice of making and fulfilling personal vows of dedication exemplified by Nazirite vows in Numbers 6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them: If any man or woman makes a special vow—the vow of a Nazirite—to set himself apart to the LORD,
- Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them: If any man or woman makes a vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD,
Num.6.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מיין: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ושכר: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יזיר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חמץ: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחמץ: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- משרת: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענבים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- ישתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- וענבים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לחים: ADJ,m,pl
- ויבשים: CONJ+ADJ,m,pl
- לא: PART_NEG
- יאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 6:2 (structural): Immediate context: introduction of the Nazirite vow that describes the lifelong or temporary separation from wine and grape-products, framing the specific prohibitions of v.3.
- Judges 13:4–5 (quotation): The angel's instructions for Samson's mother repeat the Nazirite prohibitions (no wine or strong drink, no unclean food, no razor), directly echoing Numbers' regulations.
- Judges 16:17 (thematic): Samson's identity as a Nazirite (no razor, consecration to God) reflects the social and religious consequences of the Nazirite rules that include abstaining from wine and grape products.
- Luke 1:15 (verbal): The angelic announcement about John the Baptist states he 'will not drink wine or strong drink,' echoing the Nazirite prohibition language and portraying John in Nazirite-like terms.
- Acts 18:18 (allusion): Paul's haircut 'because he had a vow' alludes to the practice of cutting hair at the conclusion of a Nazirite vow (cf. Numbers 6:18–21), connecting New Testament vow-practices to the Nazirite regulations.
Alternative generated candidates
- he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he shall not drink wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink vinegar made from wine or from strong drink; he shall not drink any juice of the grape, fresh or dried.
- he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he shall not drink vinegar made from wine or from strong drink, neither shall he drink wine or strong drink, and he shall not drink any grape juice, fresh or pressed; nor shall he eat fresh or dried grapes.
Num.6.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מכל: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- מגפן: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היין: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מחרצנים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- זג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יאכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Num.6.3 (verbal): Immediate context of the Nazirite law; verse 6:3 (no razor on his head) and 6:4 (no grape products) are contiguous stipulations of the same vow language ('all the days of his separation').
- Judg.13.4-5 (allusion): God's instructions about Samson (a Nazirite from the womb) repeat the prohibitions: no wine or strong drink and no razor—applying the Nazirite pattern of Numbers to a heroic figure.
- 1 Sam.1.11 (allusion): Hannah's vow to dedicate her son includes 'no razor shall touch his head,' reflecting a Nazirite-style dedication even though the grape prohibition is not stated explicitly.
- Luke 1:15 (allusion): The announcement about John the Baptist states he 'will not drink wine or strong drink,' explicitly echoing the Nazirite prohibition on grape products as a mark of consecration.
- Acts 18:18 (structural): Paul has his hair cut 'because he had a vow,' demonstrating the continued practice of vow-taking (including hair and grape/abstinence elements) in the early Christian period.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is made from the vine, from the grape-seed even to the peel.
- All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the grapevine—from the grape seed to the grape skin.
Num.6.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נדר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- מלאת: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- הימם: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יזיר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- גדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פרע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 13:5 (verbal): Direct parallel to the Nazirite prescription—explicit statement that 'no razor shall come upon his head' for one set apart to the LORD.
- Judges 16:17 (thematic): Samson's secret depends on his uncut hair; connects the no-razor rule with consecration and divine power in Nazirite tradition.
- Leviticus 21:5 (thematic): Priestly regulations forbidding certain shaving/cutting practices link hair-care rules with holiness and ritual purity for those serving the LORD.
- Luke 1:15 (allusion): Zechariah's prophecy about John the Baptist—set apart from birth and abstaining from wine—echoes Nazirite consecration and has been read as an implicit Nazirite-type vow (no razor implied).
- Ezekiel 44:20 (thematic): Priestly instruction concerning not shaving the head or letting hair grow excessively reflects similar concerns about hair and proper conduct in relations to holiness.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the days of the vow of his separation he shall not let a razor pass over his head; until the days are fulfilled for which he is separated to the LORD he shall be holy and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.
- All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head; until the days are completed which he has set apart to the LORD, he shall be holy and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.
Num.6.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הזירו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Num.6.7 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the Nazirite law repeating the prohibition against contact with a corpse during the period of consecration (language closely mirrors Num 6:6).
- Num.6.8 (verbal): Closely related provision in the same section forbidding entry into a house where a dead person is, elaborating the Nazirite restrictions on impurity by the dead.
- Lev.21:1-4 (thematic): Priestly regulations forbidding priests from making themselves impure for the dead (except nearest kin); both texts govern contact with corpses as ritual impurity and protect cultic purity.
- Num.19:11 (thematic): Law of corpse impurity stating that anyone who touches a dead body is unclean; provides the broader cultic/ritual background for the Nazirite prohibition against contact with the dead.
- Judg.13:5 (allusion): Announcement that Samson will be a Nazirite from the womb; thematically linked as an example of the Nazirite vow and its associated prohibitions (including avoidance of the dead).
Alternative generated candidates
- All the days that he is separated to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body.
- All the days that he is separate to the LORD he shall not go near a dead body.
Num.6.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לאביו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- ולאמו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאחיו: PREP
- ולאחתו: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m
- לא: PART_NEG
- יטמא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- במתם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg+3,pl
- כי: CONJ
- נזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 21:1-4 (thematic): Priestly law forbids priests from defiling themselves by contact with the dead among their people; similar concern with ritual impurity through corpse contact as in the Nazirite prohibition.
- Numbers 6:9 (structural): Immediate parallel within the Nazirite law that treats the contingency of touching a corpse and prescribes purification, directly related to the prohibition in 6:7.
- Judges 13:5 (verbal): Announcement about Samson’s birth links him to Nazirite regulations ('no razor shall come upon his head'), reflecting the same vow of consecrated hair and separation from ritual defilement.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (verbal): Hannah’s vow that her son’s head shall not be touched by a razor echoes the Nazirite commitment to let the hair remain uncut as a sign of dedication to God.
- Luke 1:15 (allusion): John the Baptist is described in terms (abstinence from wine, consecration from the womb) that early readers understood as Nazirite-like, alluding to the vow’s pattern of separation and holiness.
Alternative generated candidates
- He shall not defile himself for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die; for the consecration of his God is on his head.
- He shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister, when they die; for the consecration of his God is upon his head.
Num.6.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כל: DET
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,suff3ms
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 6:2 (structural): Introduces the Nazirite vow ('when a man or woman consecrates to the LORD a vow of separation'), providing the legal framework for 'all the days' language in 6:8.
- Numbers 6:21 (verbal): Concluding instruction of the Nazirite regulations: restates the idea of separation and holiness to the LORD upon completion of the vow, echoing the dedication expressed in 6:8.
- Judges 13:5 (thematic): God's command concerning Samson: he is to be a Nazirite 'to God from the womb,' linking lifelong consecration and the marks of Nazirite dedication (holiness to the LORD).
- Luke 1:15 (allusion): Prophecy about John the Baptist—'he will be great before the Lord... he must not drink wine'—evokes Nazirite-like separation and lifelong holiness to God.
- Acts 21:23–24 (structural): Description of Paul participating in a purification/Nazirite-related rite (shaving heads, paying expenses) shows later practice and communal recognition of Nazirite vows and their sign of holiness to the Lord.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD.
- All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD.
Num.6.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכי: CONJ
- ימות: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- מת: ADJ,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- בפתע: PREP
- פתאם: ADV
- וטמא: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- טהרתו: NOUN,f,sg,def+poss:3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- השביעי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- יגלחנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 6:7 (verbal): Same Nazirite section: touches a corpse becomes ritually unclean (until evening). Connects the impurity-by-death motif to the special cleansing rule in 6:9.
- Numbers 6:10 (structural): Direct continuation of the procedure: shaving on the seventh day is followed by the presentation of offerings and the completion of the vow—this verse completes the ritual sequence begun in 6:9.
- Numbers 6:18 (verbal): Describes the shaving of the Nazirite's consecrated hair and the accompanying offerings at the end of the vow period—parallels the shaving and sacrificial resolution imagery of 6:9–10.
- Leviticus 21:1–4 (thematic): Priestly regulations forbidding contact with the dead (except close relatives). The passage frames broader biblical concerns about corpse-related impurity that underlie the Nazirite provisions.
- Acts 18:18 (thematic): New Testament example of vow-related hair cutting: Paul has his hair cut because he is under a vow, reflecting continuity of vow/hair practices from the OT Nazirite paradigm.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if a dead body meets him by accident and defiles the head of his separation, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.
- But if a dead body falls upon him suddenly and defiles the consecration of his head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.
Num.6.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וביום: CONJ+PREP,NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמיני: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- תרים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- או: CONJ
- שני: NUM,m,pl,construct
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- יונה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 12:8 (verbal): Uses the same offering formula — if one cannot afford a lamb, the substitute is 'two turtledoves or two young pigeons,' matching the birds offered at the Nazirite ritual.
- Numbers 6:11-12 (structural): Immediate continuation of the Nazirite conclusion: shaving the head and presenting prescribed offerings at the Tent of Meeting — completes the ritual begun in 6:10.
- Judges 13:4-5 (thematic): God's instructions about Samson’s birth impose Nazirite-like restrictions (no wine, no razor on his head), thematically linked to the vow regulations embodied in Numbers 6.
- Acts 21:23-26 (allusion): Paul is urged to join men under a vow, purify himself, shave his head, and offer sacrifices — a first‑century application of the Nazirite/culinary purification procedures reflected in Numbers 6.
Alternative generated candidates
- And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
- And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting.
Num.6.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לחטאת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואחד: CONJ+NUM,m,sg
- לעלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- מאשר: PREP+REL
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הנפש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וקדש: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ראשו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 6:13 (structural): Part of the same Nazirite termination ritual—specifies the animals to be offered on the eighth day and the priest’s act of shaving the Nazirite’s head, closely paralleling v.11’s sacrificial and consecratory actions.
- Leviticus 4:3 (thematic): Gives the rules for a sin offering made for atonement; parallels Num 6:11’s requirement that the priest offer a sin offering to make atonement for the person’s sin.
- Leviticus 1:3 (thematic): Describes the burnt (olah) offering procedure; parallels Num 6:11’s instruction that a burnt offering be offered as part of the Nazirite’s conclusion rites.
- Leviticus 14:8-9 (thematic): In the purification of a healed leper the person washes, has hair shaved and offers sacrifices—parallels the combination of shaving/cleansing and sacrificial acts in Num 6:11.
- Judges 16:19-20 (allusion): Samson’s hair is cut and his Nazirite-related strength is lost; thematically contrasts the significance of hair and shaving in Nazirite practice and underscores the ritual importance of consecrating the hair at the vow’s end in Num 6:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- The priest shall make one of them a sin offering and the other a burnt offering, and make atonement for him because of his sin; then he shall consecrate his head that day.
- And the priest shall offer one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him because of his defilement by the dead; and he shall consecrate his head that same day.
Num.6.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והזיר: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- והביא: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- כבש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לאשם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- הראשנים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- יפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- טמא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 6:2-8 (structural): The broader Nazirite-vow regulations (abstain from wine, no cutting hair, avoid corpses) that define what it means to be a Nazirite; Num 6:12 presumes these terms when it treats the effect of defilement on the vow.
- Numbers 6:13-21 (structural): Immediate continuation describing the rites at a Nazirite's termination (offerings, shaving, and purification). These verses give the ritual consequences implied in 6:12 when 'the first days fall' because of defilement.
- Judges 13:5 (thematic): God's command that Samson be a Nazirite from the womb links the Nazirite ideal of consecration to physical signs (hair, abstinence), providing a narrative example of dedication like that contemplated in Num 6:12.
- Judges 16:17–19 (thematic): Samson's hair as the locus of his vow—Delilah's shaving leads to loss of strength—illustrates the symbolic importance of uncut hair spelled out in the Nazirite laws that Num 6:12 references when defilement affects the vow.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (thematic): Hannah's vow to dedicate her son to the Lord parallels the general practice of personal vows and consecrations (as in the Nazirite vow); both texts treat the binding nature of vows and the required dedication to God when vows are fulfilled.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Nazirite shall complete the days of his separation to the LORD and shall bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering; and the earlier days shall be reckoned to him, since he became defiled.
- And the Nazirite shall redeem the days of his separation to the LORD and shall bring a year-old lamb for a guilt offering; and the earlier days shall be void because he was defiled.
Num.6.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וזאת: CONJ+DEM,f,sg
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הנזיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- מלאת: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- ימי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- יביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 6:1-12 (verbal): Immediate context outlining the Nazirite vow (prohibitions, duration, and terminology); shares the same phraseology and legal framework for the vow whose completion is described in 6:13.
- Leviticus 8:2-3 (structural): Priestly consecration ritual: Aaron and his sons are brought to the door/entrance of the tent of meeting for ceremonial acts—parallels the use of the tent entrance as the locus for completing/performing cultic rites.
- Judges 13:5 (allusion): The birth announcement to Samson’s mother declares the child will be a Nazirite (from the womb to death), thematically linking Samson’s status and life-rituals to the Nazirite regulations of Numbers 6.
- 1 Samuel 1:11 (thematic): Hannah’s vow dedicates her son to the LORD and includes the motif that a razor shall not touch his head—echoing the no-cutting-of-hair requirement central to the Nazirite law.
- Acts 21:23-26 (thematic): Paul takes part in purification rites and has his head shaved in connection with a vow—an early Christian enactment that parallels the completion ceremonies and shaving described for Nazirite vows in Numbers 6.
Alternative generated candidates
- This is the law of the Nazirite: on the day his days of separation are completed he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
- This then is the law of the Nazirite when the days of his separation are completed: he shall be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting.
Num.6.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והקריב: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קרבנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3ms
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כבש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- לעלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכבשה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- שנתה: NOUN,f,sg,cons,3,f
- תמימה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לחטאת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואיל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- תמים: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לשלמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Leviticus 1:10 (verbal): Prescribes a year-old lamb 'without blemish' for the burnt offering—same animal and 'without blemish' language as the burnt offering in Num 6:14.
- Leviticus 4:32-33 (verbal): Regulates the sin offering using a one-year-old female lamb without blemish—parallels the ewe lamb for sin offering specified in Num 6:14.
- Leviticus 3:1, 3:6-8 (verbal): Describes the peace (fellowship) offering, including rams offered 'without blemish'—corresponds to the ram for peace offerings in Num 6:14.
- Numbers 6:12-13 (structural): Immediate context of the Nazirite vow conclusion: shaving and bringing burnt, sin, and peace offerings—Num 6:14 enumerates the specific animals to be brought.
- 1 Peter 1:19 (allusion): Refers to Christ as a 'lamb without blemish or spot'—a New Testament typological allusion to the unblemished sacrificial animals language used in Num 6:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he shall present his offering to the LORD: a year-old male lamb without blemish for a burnt offering, and a year-old ewe lamb without blemish for a sin offering, and a ram without blemish for a fellowship offering.
- And he shall present his offering to the LORD: a year-old male lamb without blemish for a burnt offering, and a year-old ewe lamb without blemish for a sin offering, and a ram without blemish for peace offerings.
Num.6.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וסל: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- סלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- בלולת: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- בשמן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורקיקי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מצות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- משחים: VERB,piel,ptcp,NA,m,pl
- בשמן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומנחתם: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,poss3,m,pl
- ונסכיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,poss3,m,pl
Parallels
- Leviticus 2:4-7 (verbal): Grain‑offering prescriptions using near‑identical language: fine flour mixed with oil, unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and wafers anointed with oil.
- Leviticus 7:11-12 (verbal): Peace‑offering regulations listing 'unleavened cakes mingled with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil' together with 'their meal offering and their drink offerings'—an almost identical catalogue to Num 6:15.
- Leviticus 23:13 (thematic): Festival/firstfruits offering pairs a fine flour (mixed with oil) grain offering and a drink offering with the burnt offering, reflecting the same cultic combination of grain‑ and drink‑offerings found in Num 6:15.
- Numbers 15:2-10 (thematic): General sacrificial regulations prescribing accompanying grain and drink offerings for communal and individual offerings; parallels Num 6:15 in function (meal‑offering and drink‑offering) though with different details and emphasis.
Alternative generated candidates
- Also a basket of unleavened bread—fine flour cakes mixed with oil—and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offering.
- And a basket of unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offerings.
Num.6.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והקריב: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חטאתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRSFX,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- עלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m
Parallels
- Leviticus 4:20 (verbal): After the sin offering is slaughtered, the priest 'shall make atonement for him'—the same technical phrase and priestly function as in Num 6:16.
- Leviticus 14:19-20 (thematic): In the cleansing of a leper the priest presents offerings and 'makes atonement' so that the person is declared clean—parallels the Nazirite's purification rite and outcome.
- Leviticus 16:30 (thematic): On the Day of Atonement 'atonement shall be made for you, to cleanse you'—echoes the purpose of the priestly action in Num 6:16 (ritual removal of uncleanness/sin).
- Numbers 6:12-13 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same ritual: these verses describe the priest presenting the Nazirite's offerings and the procedural steps that culminate in the priest making atonement for him.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the priest shall offer them before the LORD and make his sin offering and his burnt offering.
- And the priest shall present them before the LORD and shall make his sin offering and his burnt offering.
Num.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- האיל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלמים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- סל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המצות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ועשה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- מנחתו: NOUN,f,sg,suff3m
- ואת: CONJ
- נסכו: NOUN,m,sg,suff3m
Parallels
- Num.6.13 (structural): Immediate parallel in the Nazirite termination ritual — lists the same set of offerings (burnt, sin, ram for peace, and a basket of unleavened bread) that are completed by the priest.
- Lev.3:1-3 (thematic): Regulations for the peace-offering (shelamim): presentation and slaughter of an animal sacrifice; thematically parallels the ram offered as a peace-offering in Num 6:17.
- Lev.2:1-3 (verbal): Rules for the grain (minchah) offering, including unleavened cakes; connects verbally and ritually to the basket of unleavened bread/minchah mentioned in Num 6:17.
- Lev.7:11-15 (structural): Laws governing peace-offerings and the portions/rights of priests, including how accompanying meal and drink offerings are handled — parallels the priest's role in making the minchah and nesekh.
- Exod.29:40-41 (thematic): The daily offering formula pairs animal sacrifices with a meal (minchah) and a drink offering (nesekh); analogous ritual language and function to the priest's offering duties in Num 6:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the ram shall be a sacrifice of fellowship to the LORD; and the priest shall make his grain offering and its drink offering.
- And the ram shall be a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD; the priest shall make his grain offering and his drink offering.
Num.6.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגלח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הנזיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהל: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,cons,poss:3ms
- ולקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,cons,poss:3ms
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- האש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תחת: PREP
- זבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השלמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- Numbers 6:13 (verbal): Almost identical ritual wording — shaving the Nazirite 'at the entrance of the tent of meeting' and placing the shaved hair on the fire of the peace offering (direct parallel within the Nazirite legislation).
- Numbers 6:2–5 (thematic): Contextual parallel describing the Nazirite vow (separation, not cutting hair) that this concluding shaving ritual completes.
- Judges 13:5 (allusion): Announcement of Samson’s Nazirite-like status: 'no razor shall come upon his head' — evokes the consecration of hair in Nazirite practice referenced in Num 6.
- Judges 16:17–19 (thematic): Narrative account of Samson’s hair being cut (loss of strength) — contrasts with the ritual shaving at the end of a Nazirite vow, highlighting the theological significance of hair in vow identity.
- Leviticus 14:8–9 (structural): Purification ritual that includes shaving of hair and washing as part of reinstatement to the community — a parallel use of shaving as a prescribed cultic action linked to rites and offerings.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance of the tent of meeting and take the hair of his head and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering.
- Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and take the hair of his head and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.
Num.6.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הזרע: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מן: PREP
- האיל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וחלת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- מצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- מן: PREP
- הסל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ורקיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- כפי: PREP
- הנזיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחר: PREP
- התגלחו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,pr3ms
Parallels
- Numbers 6:18 (verbal): Immediate procedural parallel — this verse describes the priest taking the shaved hair and putting it into the fire as part of the Nazirite termination ritual, directly linked to the handing of the unleavened loaves in 6:19.
- Numbers 6:20 (structural): Direct continuation of the same ritual — 6:20 explicitly states that the priest shall wave the loaves after the Nazirite's shave, clarifying the cultic action summarized in 6:19.
- Leviticus 24:5-9 (thematic): Priestly handling of unleavened loaves — the showbread are unleavened cakes set before the LORD and handled by priests, paralleling the use and priestly presentation of unleavened bread in the Nazirite rite.
- Acts 18:18 (allusion): New Testament parallel of vow-related shaving — Paul has his hair cut at Cenchrea because he was 'under a vow,' echoing the practice of shaving at the conclusion of a vow (as with the Nazirite).
- Acts 21:23-26 (allusion): Early Christian enactment of Jewish vow/cleansing rites — Paul participates in vow-related purification and offerings, reflecting the broader practice of concluding vows with offerings and ritual actions like shaving and sacrifice attested in Numbers 6.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the priest shall take the shoulder of the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and place them on the palms of the Nazirite after he has shaved off the consecration of his head.
- And the priest shall take the shoulder of the ram that is boiled, and one unleavened cake from the basket and one unleavened wafer, and place them on the palms of the Nazirite after he has shaved his consecration.
Num.6.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והניף: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- הכהן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תנופה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לכהן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- על: PREP
- חזה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- התנופה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ועל: CONJ+PREP
- שוק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התרומה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואחר: CONJ
- ישתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הנזיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יין: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 6:18–21 (structural): Immediate context of the Nazirite termination rite: the priest waves the offerings, declares them holy to the priest (breast of the wave, thigh of the heave), and then the Nazirite may drink wine — essentially the same sequence and wording.
- Exodus 29:27–28 (verbal): At the ordination of Aaron the breast (waved) and the thigh (heaved) are assigned to the priests; uses the same ritual vocabulary and allocation of the wave and heave portions to the priesthood.
- Judges 13:4–5 (thematic): God's instructions concerning Samson (a Nazirite from the womb) include the prohibition on wine and the consecrated lifestyle — thematically parallels the Nazirite regulations and their culmination in Numbers 6.
- Luke 1:15 (allusion): The description of John the Baptist — that he will 'not drink wine or strong drink' — alludes to the Nazirite ideal and echoes the vow's prohibition and consecration found in Numbers 6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD; they shall belong to the priest as the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.
- And the priest shall lift them up as a wave offering before the LORD; they are holy to the priest, along with the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh of the heave offering. After this the Nazirite may drink wine.
Num.6.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- זאת: DEM,f,sg
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הנזיר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ידר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- קרבנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3ms
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- מלבד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תשיג: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- כפי: PREP
- נדרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ידר: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כן: ADV
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- תורת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- נזרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
Parallels
- Numbers 6:1-8 (structural): The opening portion of the Nazirite regulations; sets out the general terms of the vow that Num.6:21 summarizes ('this is the law of the Nazirite').
- Numbers 6:9-12 (verbal): Prescribes what happens if the Nazirite becomes ceremonially unclean and must restart the vow period — part of the procedural law that Num.6:21 encapsulates.
- Numbers 6:13-20 (verbal): Details the concluding rites and offerings when the Nazirite's vow is completed; directly tied to the final clause of Num.6:21 about performing the law of his Nazirite vow.
- Judges 13:5 (allusion): The announcement about Samson's birth frames him as dedicated under Nazirite-like restrictions ('no razor shall touch his head'), an early narrative exemplum of the Nazirite ideal referred to in the law.
- Luke 1:15 (thematic): John the Baptist is described as abstaining from wine and strong drink and being set apart for God from birth — a New Testament portrayal that echoes Nazirite themes and vows summarized in Num.6:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his vow to the LORD: in addition to whatever his hand can give according to his vow, so shall he do with regard to his separation.
- This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his vow to set himself apart to the LORD, concerning the offering he shall present to the LORD; besides whatever else he can add according to his vow, so shall he do concerning his Nazirite vow.
And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the people of Israel and say to them: If any man or woman makes a vow, a Nazirite vow, to separate himself to the LORD,
he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall not drink vinegar made from wine or from strong drink, and he shall not drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat fresh or dried grapes.
All the days of his separation he shall not eat anything that is produced by the vine—from the grape-seed even to the grape-skin.
All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall come upon his head; until the days are fulfilled for which he separates himself to the LORD he shall be holy; he shall let the hair of his head grow long.
All the days that he separates himself to the LORD he shall not come near a dead body.
He shall not make himself unclean, even for his father or for his mother, for the vow of God is on his head; he is holy to the LORD.
All the days of his separation he is holy to the LORD. And if a corpse should fall upon him accidentally, making his consecrated head unclean, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it. And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
The priest shall offer one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering, and shall atone for him for his sin; and he shall consecrate his head on that day. And the Nazirite shall complete the days of his separation and bring a year-old male lamb for a guilt offering; the earlier days shall be forfeited, for his separation became unclean. And this is the law of the Nazirite: when the days of his separation are fulfilled he shall be brought to the entrance of the Tent of Meeting.
He shall offer his offering to the LORD: a male lamb a year old, without blemish, for a burnt offering; a female lamb a year old, without blemish, for a sin offering; and a ram without blemish for peace offerings. And a basket of unleavened cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and their grain offering and their drink offerings.
The priest shall offer them before the LORD and make his sin offering and his burnt offering. And the ram shall be a sacrifice of peace offerings to the LORD; and the priest shall offer his grain offering and his drink offering.
Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting and take the hair of his consecration and put it on the fire that is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. And the priest shall take the shoulder of the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and place them on the palms of the Nazirite after he has shaved his consecration.
The priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD; they shall be holy to the priest— the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.
This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD for his separation: apart from what he can pay by hand according to his vow, so shall he do concerning his Nazirite vow.