Numbers 6:9
And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.
Original Language Analysis
וְכִֽי
H3588
וְכִֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵ֤ת
And if any man
H4191
מֵ֤ת
And if any man
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
2 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
מֵ֤ת
And if any man
H4191
מֵ֤ת
And if any man
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
3 of 16
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
בְּפֶ֣תַע
very
H6621
בְּפֶ֣תַע
very
Strong's:
H6621
Word #:
5 of 16
a wink, i.e., moment (used only [with or without preposition] adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly)
וְטִמֵּ֖א
by him and he hath defiled
H2930
וְטִמֵּ֖א
by him and he hath defiled
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
7 of 16
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
רֹאשׁוֹ֙
his head
H7218
רֹאשׁוֹ֙
his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
8 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
נִזְר֑וֹ
of his consecration
H5145
נִזְר֑וֹ
of his consecration
Strong's:
H5145
Word #:
9 of 16
properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl
יְגַלְּחֶֽנּוּ׃
shall he shave
H1548
יְגַלְּחֶֽנּוּ׃
shall he shave
Strong's:
H1548
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste
רֹאשׁוֹ֙
his head
H7218
רֹאשׁוֹ֙
his head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
11 of 16
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
12 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
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
H3117
בַּיּ֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 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
Cross References
Numbers 6:18And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.Acts 18:18And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.Leviticus 14:9But it shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair he shall shave off: and he shall wash his clothes, also he shall wash his flesh in water, and he shall be clean.
Historical Context
The requirement to restart the vow after unexpected defilement added significant burden. A Nazirite nearing completion of a lengthy vow who was suddenly defiled lost all previous time and began again. This demonstrated the costliness of maintaining ritual holiness under the Old Covenant and the impossibility of sustaining perfect purity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does unexpected defilement illustrate how sin affects us even when we seek holiness?
- What does it mean that Christ's holiness can never be defiled or diminished?
- How should we respond when our consecration is interrupted by unexpected circumstances?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The law for defiling contamination teaches that even unintentional impurity required purification. The Hebrew pit'om (suddenly/unexpectedly) shows that ritual defilement could occur without warning or fault. Someone dying suddenly in the Nazirite's presence defiled the vow, requiring a fresh start (verses 9-12). This illustrates how sin's presence in the world affects even the consecrated, requiring continual cleansing. Christ's priesthood surpasses this—He needed no re-consecration, having perfect, permanent holiness (Hebrews 7:26-27).