Numbers 6:3

Translations

Modern

…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.

Traditional

He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Literal

…he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall not drink vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink. And he shall not drink any grape juice, and he shall not eat fresh grapes or raisins.

Latin

…a vino, et omni quod inebriare potest, abstinebunt. Acetum ex vino, et ex qualibet alia potione, et quidquid de uva exprimitur, non bibent: uvas recentes siccasque non comedent

Interlinear

Hebrew

English

…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.

Notes

Numbers 6:3–4

The law required priests to avoid drinking wine before serving in the Tent of Meeting (Leviticus 10:9). The Nazirite vow allowed non-Levites to extend this rule. They avoided wine everywhere, at all times, and anything from a grapevine.

Numbers 6:1–21

The voluntary vow of a Nazirite allowed men or women to separate themselves to the LORD. The Nazirite lifestyle varied throughout Hebrew history. People took vows seriously in ancient times as a way to show devotion or gratitude to God. This vow could be temporary or permanent. It involved avoiding alcoholic drinks, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with corpses.

Nazirite restrictions allowed members of non-Levitical tribes to have a more demanding and highly respected relationship with God. The Nazirite vow is probably best known because of Samson (Judges 13–16). See also 1 Samuel 1:11; Jeremiah 35; Acts 18:18; 21:23–26; compare Luke 1:15.

Theme notes and profiles

Samson

Related verses

Luke 1:15
…for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
1 Timothy 5:23
Stop drinking only water and use a little wine instead, because of your stomach and your frequent ailments.
Leviticus 10:9
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.
Judges 13:14
She must not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor drink any wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.”
Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Amos 2:12
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.
Luke 7:33–34
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’
Luke 21:34
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.
Jeremiah 35:6–8
“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine.
Proverbs 31:4–5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
1 Thessalonians 5:22
Abstain from every form of evil.

Parallels

Judges 13:1–25

People

Nazirites: Person who took a special vow of dedication

Glossary

Baldness Biblical Concept of Law Delilah Deuteronomy, Book of Dietary Laws Food and Food Preparation Holiness Judges, Book of Luke, Gospel of Nazarite, Nazirite Numbers, Book of Samson Samuel (Person) Strong Drink Vinegar Vow, Vows Wine

Topics

Food: Articles of Vinegar Fraternity: The Nazarites, Vows of Grapes Nazarite: Law Concerning Nazarites: Prohibited From: Grapes or Anything Made from the Vine Nazarites: Prohibited From: Wine or Strong Drink Prohibition: To Nazarites The Diet of the Jews: Articles Used for Vinegar The Vine: Nazarites Prohibited Eating Any Part of Total Abstinence: from Intoxicating Beverages Total Abstinence: Samson Vinegar: Forbidden to Nazarites Wine: Admonitions Against the Use of Wine: Fermented Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites Wine: Forbidden to Nazarites During Their Separation

Numbers 6:3

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