And the priest is to take the boiled shoulder from the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them into the hands of the Nazirite who has just shaved the hair of his consecration. And the priestThe role of the priest in ancient Israel was central to the religious and communal life of the people. The Hebrew word for priest, "kohen," signifies one who is set apart to perform sacred duties. In this context, the priest acts as a mediator between God and the Nazirite, ensuring that the rituals are performed correctly and that the Nazirite's vow is fulfilled according to divine instructions. is to take
This phrase indicates a specific action required by the priest, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands. The Hebrew verb "laqach" means to take or receive, suggesting an active participation in the ritual process. It underscores the priest's responsibility to handle the sacred elements with care and reverence. the boiled shoulder from the ram
The boiled shoulder represents a portion of the peace offering, a significant part of the Nazirite vow completion. The ram, a symbol of strength and sacrifice, is offered to God, and the shoulder, being a choice part, signifies the offering of one's strength and service to the Lord. The boiling process purifies and prepares the meat for sacred use, reflecting the purification of the Nazirite. one unleavened cake from the basket
Unleavened bread, or "matzah," is a symbol of purity and separation from sin, as leaven often represents sin in the Bible. The unleavened cake from the basket signifies the Nazirite's commitment to holiness and the removal of sin from their life. The basket, a vessel for holding the bread, represents the community's support and the shared nature of the vow. and one unleavened wafer
The unleavened wafer, like the cake, symbolizes purity and dedication. Its inclusion in the ritual highlights the completeness of the offering and the Nazirite's total devotion to God. The wafer's thinness may also represent humility and the Nazirite's recognition of their dependence on God. and put them in the hands of the Nazirite
This act of placing the offerings in the Nazirite's hands is deeply symbolic. It signifies the transfer of the Nazirite's vow and dedication back to God, acknowledging that all strength and purity come from Him. The hands, often seen as instruments of action and service, are now filled with the fruits of the Nazirite's commitment. after he has shaved off his consecrated hair
The shaving of the consecrated hair marks the completion of the Nazirite vow. Hair, which had grown throughout the period of the vow, symbolizes the Nazirite's dedication and separation to God. By shaving it off, the Nazirite demonstrates the fulfillment of their vow and the return to ordinary life, now enriched by the spiritual growth and discipline gained during the vow period. The Hebrew word for consecrated, "nazir," means to be set apart, highlighting the sacred nature of the vow and the transformation it brings. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaziriteAn individual who has taken a special vow of consecration to the Lord, characterized by abstaining from wine, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. 2. PriestA religious leader responsible for performing sacrifices and rituals, acting as an intermediary between God and the people. 3. RamAn animal used in sacrificial offerings, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. 4. Consecrated HairThe hair of the Nazirite, which is grown during the period of the vow and then shaved off as part of the completion ritual. 5. Unleavened BreadBread made without yeast, symbolizing purity and separation from sin. Teaching Points Consecration and CommitmentThe Nazirite vow is a profound commitment to God, symbolizing total dedication and separation from worldly influences. Believers today can reflect on their own commitments to God and consider ways to consecrate their lives more fully. Role of the PriestThe priest's involvement highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and guidance. In the church today, pastors and leaders play a similar role in guiding believers in their spiritual journeys. Symbolism of SacrificeThe sacrificial elements (ram, unleavened bread) remind us of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Believers are called to live sacrificially, offering their lives as a living sacrifice to God. Completion of VowsThe shaving of the Nazirite's hair signifies the completion of a vow. This teaches us the importance of fulfilling our promises to God and others, emphasizing integrity and faithfulness. Purity and HolinessThe use of unleavened bread underscores the call to purity and holiness. Christians are encouraged to live lives that are set apart, avoiding sin and striving for righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the Nazirite vow teach us about the nature of commitment and dedication to God in our own lives? 2. How can the role of the priest in the Nazirite vow completion inform our understanding of spiritual leadership in the church today? 3. In what ways does the symbolism of the sacrificial elements in Numbers 6:19 point to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ? 4. How can we apply the principle of fulfilling vows and promises in our daily lives, both spiritually and relationally? 5. What steps can we take to pursue purity and holiness in our lives, as symbolized by the unleavened bread in the Nazirite vow? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 7:30-34Discusses the wave offering and the portions of the sacrifice that belong to the priest, providing context for the priest's role in the Nazirite vow completion. Judges 13-16The account of Samson, a Nazirite from birth, illustrates the significance and challenges of the Nazirite vow. Acts 18:18Paul takes a vow, possibly a Nazirite vow, showing the continuation of such practices in the early church. People Aaron, Israelites, Moses, NaziriteshipPlaces SinaiTopics Basket, Boiled, Cake, Consecrated, Consecration, Cooked, Cut, Dedicated, Dedication, Hair, Hands, Leg, Nazarite, Nazirite, Palms, Priest, Ram, Ram's, Separate, Separation, Shaved, Shaven, Shaving, Sheep, Shoulder, Sodden, Thin, Unleavened, Wafer, YeastDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 6:19 4554 yeast
5268 cooking Numbers 6:1-20 5155 hair Numbers 6:1-21 4544 wine
5741 vows Numbers 6:13-20 4530 unleavened bread Numbers 6:17-20 4418 bread 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 6:19 NIVNumbers 6:19 NLTNumbers 6:19 ESVNumbers 6:19 NASBNumbers 6:19 KJV
Numbers 6:19 Commentaries
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