Numbers 6:6
All the days that he separateth himself unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֥י
All the days
H3117
יְמֵ֥י
All the days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
2 of 9
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
הַזִּיר֖וֹ
that he separateth
H5144
הַזִּיר֖וֹ
that he separateth
Strong's:
H5144
Word #:
3 of 9
to hold aloof, i.e., (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (i.e., apostatize)); specifically, to s
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
himself unto the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
himself unto the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 9
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
body
H5315
נֶ֥פֶשׁ
body
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
מֵ֖ת
at no dead
H4191
מֵ֖ת
at no dead
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
7 of 9
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Historical Context
The Nazirite vow (Hebrew nazir meaning 'separated/consecrated') could be temporary or lifelong. Famous lifelong Nazirites included Samson (Judges 13:5), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15). Paul may have taken a temporary Nazirite vow (Acts 18:18). The vow allowed ordinary Israelites to experience priestly-level holiness for a season.
Questions for Reflection
- What legitimate goods might God call us to set aside for deeper consecration to Him?
- How does the Nazirite vow inform our understanding of temporary spiritual disciplines?
- What does it mean that Christ's call sometimes supersedes family obligations?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prohibition 'he shall come at no dead body' establishes the Nazirite's supreme consecration. Even family deaths could not defile the vow (verse 7). The Hebrew nephesh met (dead body/corpse) rendered one ceremonially unclean, incompatible with Nazirite holiness. This extreme separation teaches that devotion to God sometimes requires setting aside even legitimate natural affections. Christ exemplified this principle, teaching that following Him supersedes family ties (Luke 14:26). The Nazirite vow pictured total consecration that the New Testament calls all believers to embody spiritually.