Numbers 6:12
And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִזִּ֤יר
And he shall consecrate
H5144
וְהִזִּ֤יר
And he shall consecrate
Strong's:
H5144
Word #:
1 of 16
to hold aloof, i.e., (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (i.e., apostatize)); specifically, to s
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהַיָּמִ֤ים
but the days
H3117
וְהַיָּמִ֤ים
but the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
4 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
נִזְרֽוֹ׃
because his separation
H5145
נִזְרֽוֹ׃
because his separation
Strong's:
H5145
Word #:
5 of 16
properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl
וְהֵבִ֛יא
and shall bring
H935
וְהֵבִ֛יא
and shall bring
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
6 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בֶּן
of the first
H1121
בֶּן
of the first
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 16
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְאָשָׁ֑ם
for a trespass offering
H817
לְאָשָׁ֑ם
for a trespass offering
Strong's:
H817
Word #:
10 of 16
guilt; by implication, a fault; also a sin-offering
וְהַיָּמִ֤ים
but the days
H3117
וְהַיָּמִ֤ים
but the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
11 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִים֙
that were before
H7223
הָרִֽאשֹׁנִים֙
that were before
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
12 of 16
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
יִפְּל֔וּ
shall be lost
H5307
יִפְּל֔וּ
shall be lost
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
13 of 16
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
14 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Josephus records that Jewish tradition developed ways to minimize this law's severity, but Scripture allows no shortcuts. The full restart requirement emphasized the seriousness of maintaining vowed consecration and the costliness of defilement, deterring frivolous vows while magnifying the value of sustained holiness.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the requirement to start over after failure point us to Christ's uninterrupted obedience?
- What does this severe standard teach about God's holiness and our inadequacy?
- How can we maintain consecration in a defiling world while trusting Christ's perfect record?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The command to 'consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation' after defilement means restarting the vow from the beginning. The Hebrew hizir (consecrate/separate) indicates renewed dedication. The phrase 'the days that were before shall be lost' (verse 12) teaches that interrupted consecration cannot simply resume—it requires fresh beginning. This severe standard reveals the impossibility of maintaining perfect holiness, pointing to our need for Christ whose consecration was never interrupted, providing perfect obedience imputed to believers (Romans 5:19).