Numbers 6:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִ֜ם
All the days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֜ם
All the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 21
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
נֶ֣דֶר
of the vow
H5088
נֶ֣דֶר
of the vow
Strong's:
H5088
Word #:
3 of 21
a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised
נִזְר֔וֹ
of his separation
H5145
נִזְר֔וֹ
of his separation
Strong's:
H5145
Word #:
4 of 21
properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl
תַּ֖עַר
there shall no razor
H8593
תַּ֖עַר
there shall no razor
Strong's:
H8593
Word #:
5 of 21
a knife or razor (as making bare); also a scabbard (as being bare, i.e., empty)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
come
H5674
יַעֲבֹ֣ר
come
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
7 of 21
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
of his head
H7218
רֹאשֽׁוֹ׃
of his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
9 of 21
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מְלֹ֨את
be fulfilled
H4390
מְלֹ֨את
be fulfilled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
11 of 21
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
הַיָּמִ֜ם
All the days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֜ם
All the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 of 21
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יַזִּ֤יר
in the which he separateth
H5144
יַזִּ֤יר
in the which he separateth
Strong's:
H5144
Word #:
14 of 21
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
himself unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָה֙
himself unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
קָדֹ֣שׁ
he shall be holy
H6918
קָדֹ֣שׁ
he shall be holy
Strong's:
H6918
Word #:
16 of 21
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֔ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
17 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
גַּדֵּ֥ל
grow
H1431
גַּדֵּ֥ל
grow
Strong's:
H1431
Word #:
18 of 21
to be (causatively make) large (in various senses, as in body, mind, estate or honor, also in pride)
Cross References
1 Samuel 1:11And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.Judges 16:17That he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man.Judges 13:5For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.
Historical Context
In the ancient world, hairstyles often denoted social status and military prowess. The Nazirite's distinctive appearance would have constantly reminded both himself and others of his special consecration to the Lord.
Questions for Reflection
- What visible markers in your life demonstrate your commitment to Christ?
- How can you redirect attention from yourself to God in areas where you're naturally talented?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The uncut hair served as the visible sign of the Nazirite vow, representing glory given to God rather than personal vanity. Hair in ancient culture symbolized strength and vitality (as with Samson), so allowing it to grow unchecked was a public declaration of dependence on God's strength rather than one's own. The requirement to be 'holy' (Hebrew 'qadosh') emphasizes separation unto God.