Numbers Chapter 6 · Verse 20
And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֵנִיף֩
shall wave
H5130
וְהֵנִיף֩
shall wave
Strong's:
H5130
Word #:
1 of 19
to quiver (i.e., vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinad
אוֹתָ֨ם
H853
אוֹתָ֨ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
And the priest
H3548
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַתְּנוּפָ֔ה
them for a wave offering
H8573
הַתְּנוּפָ֔ה
them for a wave offering
Strong's:
H8573
Word #:
4 of 19
a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 19
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֒
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
קֹ֤דֶשׁ
this is holy
H6944
קֹ֤דֶשׁ
this is holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
7 of 19
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
הוּא֙
H1931
הוּא֙
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
8 of 19
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
And the priest
H3548
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן
And the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
9 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַתְּנוּפָ֔ה
them for a wave offering
H8573
הַתְּנוּפָ֔ה
them for a wave offering
Strong's:
H8573
Word #:
12 of 19
a brandishing (in threat); by implication, tumult; specifically, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings
וְעַ֖ל
H5921
וְעַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַתְּרוּמָ֑ה
and heave
H8641
הַתְּרוּמָ֑ה
and heave
Strong's:
H8641
Word #:
15 of 19
a present (as offered up), especially in sacrifice or as tribute
וְאַחַ֛ר
and after
H310
וְאַחַ֛ר
and after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
Historical Context
The wave offering involved the priest placing hands under the worshiper's hands and moving the offering in a ceremonial motion, symbolizing presentation to God. Portions were then consumed by the priests, showing that God's servants were sustained by offerings brought by the people. The Nazirite's freedom to drink wine after the ceremony marked full restoration to normal life, having completed the vow faithfully. This prevented the vow from becoming a burden and showed its voluntary, temporary nature.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temporary nature of the Nazirite vow challenge the idea that more restrictive lives are always more spiritual?
- What voluntary restrictions might you embrace for a season to deepen devotion to God, understanding they need not be permanent?
Analysis & Commentary
The wave offering ritual, where the priest waved portions before the LORD, symbolized presenting offerings to God and receiving them back for priestly consumption. This represented fellowship between God and worshiper through the mediating priest. After this ceremony, the Nazirite was released to drink wine, demonstrating that the vow's restrictions were temporary, not permanent. This teaches that special seasons of consecration serve specific purposes but need not become permanent burdens. Christian liberty allows for temporary restrictions undertaken voluntarily for spiritual purposes.