Numbers 6:19
And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven:
Original Language Analysis
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
And the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֜ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
2 of 23
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַזְּרֹ֣עַ
shoulder
H2220
הַזְּרֹ֣עַ
shoulder
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
4 of 23
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָאַיִל֒
of the ram
H352
הָאַיִל֒
of the ram
Strong's:
H352
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree
מַצָּ֖ה
unleavened
H4682
מַצָּ֖ה
unleavened
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
אֶחָ֑ד
and one
H259
אֶחָ֑ד
and one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
11 of 23
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַסַּ֔ל
out of the basket
H5536
הַסַּ֔ל
out of the basket
Strong's:
H5536
Word #:
12 of 23
properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket
מַצָּ֖ה
unleavened
H4682
מַצָּ֖ה
unleavened
Strong's:
H4682
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes
אֶחָ֑ד
and one
H259
אֶחָ֑ד
and one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וְנָתַן֙
and shall put
H5414
וְנָתַן֙
and shall put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
16 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כַּפֵּ֣י
them upon the hands
H3709
כַּפֵּ֣י
them upon the hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
18 of 23
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
הַנָּזִ֔יר
of the Nazarite
H5139
הַנָּזִ֔יר
of the Nazarite
Strong's:
H5139
Word #:
19 of 23
separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)
אַחַ֖ר
after
H310
אַחַ֖ר
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
הִֽתְגַּלְּח֥וֹ
is shaven
H1548
הִֽתְגַּלְּח֥וֹ
is shaven
Strong's:
H1548
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste
Cross References
Leviticus 7:30His own hands shall bring the offerings of the LORD made by fire, the fat with the breast, it shall he bring, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before the LORD.1 Samuel 2:15Also before they burnt the fat, the priest's servant came, and said to the man that sacrificed, Give flesh to roast for the priest; for he will not have sodden flesh of thee, but raw.
Historical Context
The wave offering involved horizontal movement before the Lord, symbolizing presentation for divine acceptance. The shoulder was typically the priest's portion, but in this ritual, the Nazirite held it along with the bread before it was waved and then given to the priest, showing partnership in holy things.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the Nazirite's active participation in the wave offering teach about engaged worship?
- How does the shoulder representing strength connect to the strength required for faithful devotion?
- In what ways does partnership with the priest in offering prefigure our union with Christ our High Priest?
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Analysis & Commentary
The priest taking the boiled shoulder of the ram, along with unleavened cakes and wafers, and placing them upon the Nazirite's hands before waving them demonstrates partnership in the offering. The Nazirite didn't merely watch the priest offer; he participated by holding the offering during the wave. This teaches that worship involves active participation, not passive observation. The shoulder represents strength and service, fitting for one who has demonstrated commitment through the Nazirite vow.