If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing--the seventh day. If someone dies suddenly in his presenceThis phrase introduces a scenario where a Nazirite vow is unintentionally broken. The Hebrew word for "suddenly" (פֶּתַע, petha) implies an unexpected or accidental event. In the context of ancient Israel, maintaining ritual purity was crucial, especially for those under a Nazirite vow, which was a special commitment to God. The sudden death represents an unavoidable defilement, highlighting the fragility of human plans and the need for divine grace in maintaining holiness. defiling his consecrated head
The term "defiling" (טָמֵא, tame) refers to becoming ritually unclean. The "consecrated head" signifies the Nazirite's vow, symbolized by uncut hair, which was a visible sign of their dedication to God. This phrase underscores the importance of purity and the sacredness of vows made to God. It reflects the broader biblical theme that holiness requires separation from death and sin, emphasizing the need for vigilance in spiritual commitments. he must shave his head
Shaving the head is a symbolic act of purification and renewal. In the Hebrew culture, hair was often associated with strength and identity, as seen in the account of Samson. By shaving his head, the Nazirite acknowledges the breach in his vow and begins anew. This act of humility and obedience is a powerful reminder of the need for repentance and the opportunity for a fresh start in one's spiritual journey. on the day of his cleansing
The "day of his cleansing" marks a specific time set by God for restoration. The Hebrew word for cleansing (טָהֳרָה, taharah) involves both physical and spiritual purification. This phrase indicates that God provides a way to restore what was lost, emphasizing His mercy and the possibility of redemption. It points to the broader biblical narrative of God's desire to cleanse and restore His people. the seventh day
The "seventh day" is significant in biblical theology, often associated with completion and rest, as seen in the creation account. In this context, it represents the completion of the cleansing process. The number seven frequently symbolizes perfection and divine order, suggesting that God's provision for restoration is both complete and perfect. This highlights the hope and assurance believers have in God's perfect timing and provision for their spiritual renewal. Persons / Places / Events 1. NaziriteAn individual who has taken a vow of separation to the Lord, characterized by abstaining from wine, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. 2. Sudden DeathAn unexpected event that causes defilement for the Nazirite, interrupting their vow. 3. Consecrated HeadRefers to the Nazirite's hair, which is a symbol of their vow and dedication to God. 4. Seventh DayThe day of cleansing, significant in Jewish law as a time of purification and restoration. 5. Shaving of the HeadA ritual act of purification and renewal of the Nazirite vow after defilement. Teaching Points Holiness and SeparationThe Nazirite vow underscores the importance of living a life set apart for God. Believers today are called to be holy and distinct in their conduct. Dealing with Unexpected DefilementLife can bring unexpected challenges that disrupt our spiritual commitments. Like the Nazirite, we must seek cleansing and restoration through repentance and renewal. Symbolism of Hair in ScriptureHair, as a symbol of strength and dedication (e.g., Samson), reminds us of the visible signs of our commitment to God. Our actions should reflect our inner devotion. The Role of Rituals in Spiritual LifeWhile rituals themselves do not save, they serve as important reminders of our relationship with God and our need for continual purification and dedication. The Seventh Day: A Time for RenewalThe seventh day, a day of cleansing, points to the rhythm of rest and renewal in our spiritual lives. Regular times of reflection and recommitment are vital for spiritual growth. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of a Nazirite vow challenge us to consider areas of our lives that need to be set apart for God? 2. In what ways can unexpected events in our lives lead to spiritual defilement, and how can we seek restoration? 3. How does the symbolism of hair in the Bible relate to our visible witness as Christians today? 4. What role do rituals and traditions play in your spiritual life, and how can they help you maintain a close relationship with God? 5. How can the principle of the seventh day as a time for cleansing and renewal be applied to your weekly routine to enhance your spiritual growth? Connections to Other Scriptures Leviticus 21Discusses the laws of purity for priests, highlighting the importance of holiness and separation from death. Acts 18Paul takes a Nazirite vow, showing the continuation of this practice in the New Testament and its significance in personal devotion. 1 Corinthians 6Emphasizes the importance of maintaining purity and holiness as believers, drawing a parallel to the Nazirite's call to separation. People Aaron, Israelites, Moses, NaziriteshipPlaces SinaiTopics Becomes, Beside, Clean, Cleansing, Consecrated, Consecration, Cut, Dead, Death, Dedicated, Defile, Defiled, Defiles, Defiling, Die, Dies, Dieth, Hair, Instant, Presence, Separation, Seventh, Shave, Shaved, Someone, Suddenly, Thus, Unclean, UnexpectedlyDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 6:9 5128 baldness
5157 head
7348 defilement Numbers 6:1-20 5155 hair Numbers 6:1-21 4544 wine
5741 vows Numbers 6:5-12 7340 clean and unclean Numbers 6:9-11 6175 guilt, removal of 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 6:9 NIVNumbers 6:9 NLTNumbers 6:9 ESVNumbers 6:9 NASBNumbers 6:9 KJV
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