Numbers 6:5

Translations

Modern

For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.

Traditional

All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.

Literal

All the days of the vow of his separation, no razor shall come upon his head. Until the fulfilling of the days for which he separated himself unto YHWH, he shall be holy; he shall let grow the locks of the hair of his head.

Latin

Omni tempore separationis suæ novacula non transibit per caput ejus usque ad completum diem, quo Domino consecratur. Sanctus erit, crescente cæsarie capitis ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.

Notes

Numbers 6:5

hair: This had a special symbolic meaning (see Leviticus 19:27). Religious people often left their hair uncut or shaved it completely (Numbers 8:5–7). The Israelites did not have to leave their hair completely uncut, but the Nazirites did.

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

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”
Judges 16:17
Samson told her all that was in his heart: “My hair has never been cut, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man.”
Judges 13:5
For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”
1 Corinthians 11:10–15
For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.
Lamentations 4:7–8
Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires.
Judges 16:19
And having lulled him to sleep on her lap, she called a man to shave off the seven braids of his head. In this way she began to subdue him, and his strength left him.

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 Holiness Judges, Book of Nazarite, Nazirite Numbers, Book of Razor Samson Samuel (Person) Vow, Vows

Topics

Dreadlocks Fraternity: The Nazarites, Vows of Head: Nazarites Forbidden to Shave Long Hair Men and Long Hair Nazarite: Law Concerning Nazarites: Prohibited From: Cutting or Shaving the Head Razor: Nazarite Forbidden to Use Shaving: Forbidden to Nazarites The Hair of Nazarites: Not to be Cut or Shorn During Their Vow

Numbers 6:5

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