He must rededicate his time of separation to the LORD and bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. But the preceding days shall not be counted, because his separation was defiled. He must rededicate himself to the LORDThis phrase emphasizes the act of recommitment to God. The Hebrew root for "rededicate" is "חָדַשׁ" (chadash), meaning to renew or restore. In the context of the Nazirite vow, it signifies a fresh start in one's spiritual journey. The act of rededication underscores the importance of perseverance in faith, even after setbacks. Historically, this reflects the Israelites' understanding of God's grace and the opportunity for renewal, a theme that resonates throughout the Bible. for the same period of consecration
The "period of consecration" refers to the duration of the Nazirite vow, a time set apart for special devotion to God. The Hebrew word for "consecration" is "נֵזֶר" (nezer), which also means crown, symbolizing honor and dedication. This period is a sacred time, highlighting the importance of intentional and sustained commitment to spiritual disciplines. It serves as a reminder that holiness requires time and effort, and that each believer's journey is unique and valuable. and bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering
The "year-old male lamb" is significant in the sacrificial system, representing innocence and purity. The Hebrew term for "guilt offering" is "אָשָׁם" (asham), which denotes a sacrifice made for atonement of unintentional sins. This offering underscores the seriousness of sin and the need for reconciliation with God. It reflects the broader biblical narrative of redemption and foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. The previous days will not be counted
This phrase indicates that the days of the vow prior to defilement are nullified. The Hebrew concept here is one of starting anew, emphasizing that spiritual progress can be hindered by sin, but not permanently lost. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's mercy and the possibility of restoration. In the Christian life, this speaks to the hope of new beginnings and the assurance that God’s grace covers our past failures. because his separation was defiled
"Separation" in Hebrew is "פָּרַשׁ" (parash), meaning to set apart or distinguish. The defilement of this separation indicates a breach in the vow, often through contact with a dead body, which was considered ritually impure. This highlights the importance of maintaining purity and the impact of sin on one's relationship with God. It serves as a cautionary tale about the vigilance required to uphold one's commitments to God, while also pointing to the provision for restoration through prescribed offerings. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaziriteAn individual who takes a special vow of separation to the LORD, characterized by abstaining from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. 2. The LORDThe covenant God of Israel, to whom the Nazirite vow is dedicated. 3. Guilt OfferingA sacrificial offering made to atone for unintentional sins or defilement, symbolizing the restoration of the relationship with God. 4. DefilementThe state of being ceremonially unclean, which in this context refers to the Nazirite inadvertently coming into contact with a dead body. 5. Year-old Male LambThe specific animal required for the guilt offering, symbolizing innocence and purity. Teaching Points The Seriousness of VowsThe Nazirite vow is a serious commitment to God, requiring careful adherence and a willingness to start over if defiled. This teaches us the importance of integrity and dedication in our commitments to God. The Need for AtonementThe requirement of a guilt offering highlights the need for atonement and reconciliation with God when we fall short. It points to the ultimate atonement provided by Jesus Christ. Holiness and SeparationThe Nazirite vow symbolizes a life set apart for God. As Christians, we are called to live holy lives, distinct from the world, dedicated to God's purposes. Restoration and RenewalThe opportunity to rededicate oneself after defilement shows God's grace and the possibility of renewal. No matter our failures, God offers a path to restoration. The Cost of DiscipleshipThe Nazirite vow involved personal sacrifice and discipline. Similarly, following Christ requires us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the requirement to start the Nazirite vow over after defilement teach us about the nature of our commitments to God? 2. How does the concept of a guilt offering in Numbers 6:12 relate to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ as described in the New Testament? 3. In what ways can we apply the principles of the Nazirite vow to our own lives as Christians today? 4. How does the account of Samson illustrate both the challenges and the significance of maintaining a vow of separation to God? 5. What practical steps can we take to ensure that our lives are set apart for God, reflecting the holiness and dedication symbolized by the Nazirite vow? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 5Discusses the guilt offering and its role in atonement for unintentional sins, providing a broader understanding of the sacrificial system. Judges 13-16The account of Samson, a Nazirite from birth, whose life illustrates the challenges and significance of the Nazirite vow. Acts 21Paul participates in a Nazirite vow, showing the continuity and adaptation of this practice in the early church. Hebrews 9Explains the ultimate fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ, who is the perfect offering for sin. People Aaron, Israelites, Moses, NaziriteshipPlaces SinaiTopics Bring, Consecrate, Consecration, Count, Dedicate, Defiled, During, Earlier, Error, Fallen, Forfeited, Former, Guilt, Guilt-offering, He-lamb, Lamb, Loss, Lost, Male, Nazirite, Naziriteship, Offering, Period, Previous, Separate, Separated, Separation, Trespass, Trespass-offering, Unclean, Void, Yearling, Year-oldDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 6:12 7348 defilement
7370 guilt offering Numbers 6:1-20 5155 hair Numbers 6:1-21 4544 wine
5741 vows Numbers 6:5-12 7340 clean and unclean Library Separation to God.
NUMB. VI. 1-21. THE INSTITUTION OF THE ORDER OF NAZARITES. The first twenty-one verses of Numb. vi. give us an account of the institution and ordinances of the order of Nazarites. And let us note at the outset that this institution, like every other good and perfect gift, came from above; that GOD Himself gave this privilege--unasked--to His people; thereby showing His desire that "whosoever will" of His people may be brought into closest relationship to Himself. It was very gracious of GOD to permit …
James Hudson Taylor—Separation and ServiceTenth Day. Holiness and Separation.
I am the Lord your God, which have separated you from other people. And ye shall be holy unto me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from other people that ye should be Mine.'--Lev. xx. 24, 26. 'Until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy.... All the days of his separation he is holy unto the Lord.'--Num. vi. 5, 8. 'Wherefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people through His own blood, suffered without the …
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ Of the Duties which we are to Perform after Receiving the Holy Communion, Called Action or Practice.
The duty which we are to perform after the receiving of the Lord's Supper is called action or practice, without which all the rest will minister to us no comfort. The action consists of two sorts of duties:---First, Such as we are to perform in the church, or else after we are gone home. Those that we are to perform in the church are either several from our own souls, or else jointly with the congregation. The several duties which thou must perform from thine own soul are three:--First, Thou must …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety These Things, My Brother Aurelius, Most Dear unto Me...
38. These things, my brother Aurelius, most dear unto me, and in the bowels of Christ to be venerated, so far as He hath bestowed on me the ability Who through thee commanded me to do it, touching work of Monks, I have not delayed to write; making this my chief care, lest good brethren obeying apostolic precepts, should by lazy and disobedient be called even prevaricators from the Gospel: that they which work not, may at the least account them which do work to be better than themselves without doubt. …
St. Augustine—Of the Work of Monks. The Worship of the Synagogue
One of the most difficult questions in Jewish history is that connected with the existence of a synagogue within the Temple. That such a "synagogue" existed, and that its meeting-place was in "the hall of hewn stones," at the south-eastern angle of the court of the priest, cannot be called in question, in face of the clear testimony of contemporary witnesses. Considering that "the hall of hew stones" was also the meeting-place for the great Sanhedrim, and that not only legal decisions, but lectures …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Peace
Grace unto you and peace be multiplied. I Pet 1:1. Having spoken of the first fruit of sanctification, assurance, I proceed to the second, viz., Peace, Peace be multiplied:' What are the several species or kinds of Peace? Peace, in Scripture, is compared to a river which parts itself into two silver streams. Isa 66:12. I. There is an external peace, and that is, (1.) (Economical, or peace in a family. (2.) Political, or peace in the state. Peace is the nurse of plenty. He maketh peace in thy borders, …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Gen. xxxi. 11
Of no less importance and significance is the passage Gen. xxxi. 11 seq. According to ver. 11, the Angel of God, [Hebrew: mlaK halhiM] appears toJacob in a dream. In ver. 13, the same person calls himself the God of Bethel, with reference to the event recorded in chap. xxviii. 11-22. It cannot be supposed that in chap xxviii. the mediation of a common angel took place, who, however, had not been expressly mentioned; for Jehovah is there contrasted with the angels. In ver. 12, we read: "And behold …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
Whatever attainment is made by any as distinguished from the wicked, or whatever gracious benefit is enjoyed, is a spiritual privilege. Adoption into the family of God is of this character. "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power (margin, or, the right; or, privilege) to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."[617] And every co-ordinate benefit is essentially so likewise. The evidence besides, that Covenanting …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Prayer
But I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. I shall not here expatiate upon prayer, as it will be considered more fully in the Lord's prayer. It is one thing to pray, and another thing to be given to prayer: he who prays frequently, is said to be given to prayer; as he who often distributes alms, is said to be given to charity. Prayer is a glorious ordinance, it is the soul's trading with heaven. God comes down to us by his Spirit, and we go up to him by prayer. What is prayer? It is an offering …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Annunciation to Zacharias of the Birth of John the Baptist.
(at Jerusalem. Probably b.c. 6.) ^C Luke I. 5-25. ^c 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa [a Jewish proselyte, an Idumæan or Edomite by birth, founder of the Herodian family, king of Judæa from b.c. 40 to a.d. 4, made such by the Roman Senate on the recommendation of Mark Antony and Octavius Cæsar], a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course [David divided the priests into twenty-four bodies or courses, each course serving in rotation one week in the temple …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Things to be Meditated on as Thou Goest to the Church.
1. That thou art going to the court of the Lord, and to speak with the great God by prayer; and to hear his majesty speak unto thee by his word; and to receive his blessing on thy soul, and thy honest labour, in the six days past. 2. Say with thyself by the way--"As the hart brayeth for the rivers of water, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, even for the living God: When shall I come and appear before the presence of God? For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Numbers 6:12 NIVNumbers 6:12 NLTNumbers 6:12 ESVNumbers 6:12 NASBNumbers 6:12 KJV
Numbers 6:12 Commentaries
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