Numbers 6:1-12

Expanded Bible

Rules for the Nazirites

6 The Lord said to Moses, ² “Tell the Lord ·Israelites [^Lsons/^Tchildren of Israel]: ‘If men or women want to ·promise [make a special vow] to ·belong to the Lord in a special way [separate themselves to the Lord], they will be called Nazirites [^Cpeople especially set apart in devotion to God; Samson and Samuel are examples]. ³ During this time, they must not drink wine or ·beer [^Tstrong drink; ^Can alcoholic beverage made from grain], or vinegar made from wine or ·beer [^Tstrong drink]. They must not even drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. ⁴ While they are Nazirites, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, even the seeds or the skin.

⁵ “‘During the time they have ·promised [vowed] to ·belong to the [separate themselves to the] Lord, they must not cut their hair [^Cavoiding contact with dead matter]. They must be holy until this special time is over. They must let their hair grow long. ⁶ During ·their special time of belonging [the time of their vow] to the Lord, Nazirites must not go near a dead body. ⁷ Even if their own father, mother, brother, or sister dies, they must not ·touch them, or they will become unclean [^Ldefile themselves; ^Cin a ritual sense]. ·They must still keep their promise to belong to God in a special way [^LThe consecration/separation to God is on their head]. ⁸ While they are Nazirites, they ·belong to the Lord in a special way [^Lare holy to the Lord].

⁹ “‘If they are next to someone who dies suddenly, their hair, which was ·part of their promise [consecrated], has been ·made unclean [defiled; ^Cin a ritual sense]. So they must shave their head seven days later to be clean. ¹⁰ Then on the eighth day, they must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Meeting Tent. ¹¹ The priest will offer one as a ·sin [or purification; Lev. 4:3] offering and the other as a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17]. This ·removes sin so they will belong to the Lord [makes atonement for them]. (They had sinned because they were near a dead body.) That same day they ·will again promise to let their hair grow [^Lsanctify/consecrate the head] ¹² and ·give themselves [separate themselves] to the Lord for ·another special time [^Ltheir time as Nazirites]. They must bring a male lamb a year old as a ·penalty [guilt; reparation; Lev. 5:14—6:9] offering. The days of the special time before don’t count, because ·they became unclean during their first special time [^Lthe consecrated/sanctified head became defiled].