Numbers 6

The Nazirite Vow

1 The Lord spoke to Moses.

2 Tell the Israelites, if a man or woman makes a special vow to separate themselves for the Lord as a Nazirite.

3 They must not drink wine or any alcoholic drink. They must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.

4 They must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even seeds or skins.

5 During the entire time of their vow, no razor must touch their head. They must be holy until their time of separation is complete. They must let their hair grow long.

6 They must not go near a dead body during their vow.

7 Even if their father, mother, brother, or sister dies, they must not make themselves unclean because they are dedicated to the Lord.

8 They must remain holy to the Lord for the entire time of their vow.

What Happens If They Break Their Vow

9 If someone suddenly dies near them and makes them unclean, they must shave their head on the seventh day to be purified.

10 On the eighth day, they must bring two doves or two pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the Tabernacle.

11 The priest will offer one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for them. Then they must restart their vow and rededicate themselves to the Lord.

12 They must start over, and the previous days do not count because their vow was broken. They must also bring a one-year-old male lamb as a guilt offering.

Completing the Nazirite Vow

13 This is the law for the Nazirite when their time of separation is over. They must be brought to the entrance of the Tabernacle.

14 They must bring a one-year-old male lamb for a burnt offering, a one-year-old female lamb for a sin offering, and a ram for a peace offering.

15 They must also bring a basket of bread made without yeast, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil and wafers spread with oil, along with grain and drink offerings.

16 The priest will present these before the Lord and offer the sin offering and the burnt offering.

17 He will sacrifice the ram as a peace offering to the Lord, along with the basket of bread. The priest will also present the grain and drink offerings.

18 The Nazirite must shave their head at the entrance of the Tabernacle and put the hair in the fire under the peace offering.

19 After shaving, the priest will take a boiled shoulder from the ram, a cake, and a wafer from the basket and place them in the Nazirite’s hands.

20 The priest will wave these as a special offering before the Lord. These are holy and belong to the priest. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine again.

21 This is the law for the Nazirite. If they vowed to give anything extra to the Lord, they must fulfill everything they promised.

The Priestly Blessing

22 The Lord spoke to Moses.

23 Tell Aaron and his sons, this is how you must bless the Israelites. Say to them.

24 May the Lord bless you and protect you.

25 May the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.

26 May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.

27 They must place My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.