The Nazirite's outward signs—the growth of hair, abstention from wine and other alcoholic products, the avoidance of contact with the dead—are illustrative of devotion to God. Violation of these signs resulted in defilement and the need for purification so the vow could be completed. Numbers 6:1-21 regulated the practice and lined the phenomenon to cultic law and locality. Numbers 6:1-8 show how the Nazirite's period was begun. In case of defilement, a method of purification was given ( Numbers 6:9-12 ). The status was terminated (Numbers 6:13-21 ) by the burning of shaven hair and the giving of various offerings. Parallels exist between the cultic purity of the high priest and the Nazirite.
The lifelong Nazirite in biblical tradition included Samson (Judges 13:1 ), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:1 ), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15-17 ). In the New Testament, Paul took the Nazirite vow for a specific period of time (Acts 18:18; Acts 21:22-26 ). Amos 2:12 shows an ethical concern for protecting the status of the Nazirite.
The product of over 6 years of work by hundreds of people, the Holman Bible Dictionary manages to be readable and easy to use, yet take advantage of the finest modern Bible scholarship without heavy technical language. The over 6,600 entries includes extensive cross-referencing of related articles, and quotes from 6 different Bible translations.Wikipedia
Read More