◄ Numbers 6:3 ►
he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.
Study Bible
He is to abstain from wine and strong drink
He is to abstain
The Hebrew root for "abstain" is "נָזַר" (nazar), which means to separate or consecrate oneself. This word is foundational to the concept of the Nazirite vow, a special commitment to God involving separation from certain worldly pleasures and practices. The act of abstaining is not merely about avoiding something but is a proactive dedication to holiness and a deeper relationship with God. In a spiritual sense, this abstention is a call to Christians to consider what they might set aside in their own lives to grow closer to God.

from wine
The Hebrew word for "wine" is "יַיִן" (yayin), a common beverage in ancient Israel, often associated with joy and celebration. However, in the context of the Nazirite vow, wine represents earthly pleasures that can distract from spiritual focus. The abstention from wine symbolizes a commitment to finding joy and fulfillment in God alone, rather than in material or temporary pleasures. This reflects a broader biblical principle of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

and strong drink
The term "strong drink" comes from the Hebrew "שֵׁכָר" (shekar), referring to fermented beverages other than wine, such as beer or other intoxicating liquors. In ancient times, these drinks were part of social and religious gatherings. The Nazirite's abstention from strong drink underscores a life of discipline and self-control, avoiding anything that might impair judgment or lead to moral compromise. For Christians, this can be seen as a metaphor for avoiding influences that could lead one away from a Christ-centered life.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Nazirite
A person who takes a special vow of consecration to the Lord, which includes abstaining from wine and strong drink, as described in Numbers 6.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who received the laws and instructions from God, including the Nazirite vow.

3. Israelites
The people of God to whom the laws, including the Nazirite vow, were given as they journeyed through the wilderness.

4. Wilderness
The setting where the Israelites received the law, including the instructions for the Nazirite vow.

5. Tabernacle
The dwelling place of God among the Israelites, where the Nazirite would eventually present offerings at the end of their vow.
Teaching Points
Consecration to God
The Nazirite vow is a powerful symbol of total dedication and separation unto the Lord. It calls believers to consider how they can set themselves apart for God's purposes in their own lives.

Self-Control and Discipline
Abstaining from wine and strong drink requires self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. This teaches believers the importance of discipline in their spiritual walk.

Holiness and Purity
The restrictions of the Nazirite vow highlight the call to holiness and purity. Believers are encouraged to pursue a lifestyle that reflects God's holiness.

Symbolism of Abstinence
The abstinence from grapes and their products symbolizes a break from worldly pleasures and indulgences, urging believers to focus on spiritual nourishment.

Commitment and Integrity
The Nazirite vow was voluntary but binding. This teaches the importance of keeping commitments made to God and living with integrity.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the Nazirite vow teach us about the concept of consecration and dedication to God in our daily lives?

2. How can the principles of self-control and discipline seen in the Nazirite vow be applied to modern Christian living?

3. In what ways does the call to holiness and purity in the Nazirite vow challenge us in our current cultural context?

4. How can abstaining from certain pleasures or indulgences help us grow spiritually and focus more on our relationship with God?

5. Reflect on a commitment you have made to God. How can the example of the Nazirite vow encourage you to maintain integrity and faithfulness in that commitment?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Judges 13
The account of Samson, who was a Nazirite from birth, highlights the lifelong commitment and the consequences of breaking the vow.

1 Samuel 1
Hannah's vow concerning her son Samuel, who was dedicated to the Lord, reflects a similar dedication to God as seen in the Nazirite vow.

Amos 2
The prophet Amos mentions Nazirites as examples of God's work among His people, emphasizing their role and significance.

Luke 1
John the Baptist's lifestyle reflects elements of the Nazirite vow, showing a New Testament connection to the concept of consecration.
Sermons
The Temporary Vow of the Nazarite Symbolical of the Lifelong Vow of the ChristianE.S. Prout Numbers 6:1-8
A Faithful AbstainerNumbers 6:1-21
Dangerous Things to be AvoidedJ. Spencer.Numbers 6:1-21
Degrading Effects of DrinkJ. B. Gough.Numbers 6:1-21
Nazarite RulesDean Law.Numbers 6:1-21
Of the Vows of the Nazarites, and the Use Thereof to UsW. Attersoll.Numbers 6:1-21
Separated to the Service of GodW. Binnie Numbers 6:1-21
The Law of Vows (With Special Reference to the Nazarite)W. Roberts, M. A.Numbers 6:1-21
The NazariteLewis R. Dunn, D. D.Numbers 6:1-21
The Ordinance of NazariteshipC. H. Mackintosh.Numbers 6:1-21
The Vow of the NazariteW. Jones.Numbers 6:1-21
The Regulations for Observance of the Nazarite's VowD. Young Numbers 6:3-21
People
Aaron, Israelites, Moses, Naziriteship
Places
Sinai
Topics
Abstain, Dried, Drink, Dry, Eat, Fermented, Fresh, Grape, Grapes, Green, Juice, Liquor, Mixed, Moist, Raisins, Separate, Strong, Vinegar, Whether, Wine
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 6:1-4

     4404   food
     5707   male and female
     5773   abstinence, discipline

Numbers 6:1-8

     5794   asceticism

Numbers 6:1-20

     5155   hair

Numbers 6:1-21

     4544   wine
     5741   vows

Numbers 6:2-3

     8341   separation

Numbers 6:2-7

     5731   parents

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 Service

Tenth 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

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