SUMMARY
Men or women could consecrate themselves in special service to the Lord for a period of time through this “Nazirite” vowA vow is a promise or an oath. God promised to be Israel's God, while in return the people vowed to be obedient to God's commandments. In the book of 1 Samuel Hannah, the mother of Samuel, vowed to dedicate the life of her son... More.
ANALYSIS
While all Israel was called upon to serve God, people could voluntarily “separate themselves to the LORD” in a special way through the Nazirite vow on a temporary or permanent basis. “Nazirite” comes from the Hebrew nazir, meaning to separate or consecrate.
The Nazirite vow was specifically open to women as well as men (although see Numbers 30:3-16 for limitations). After the description of the role of the Levites, the Nazirite becomes a sort of counter-priesthood, open to all, if they will obey special holiness requirements. Avoiding grapes and fermented drinks, avoiding death, and growing hair allow the Nazirite to become a witness in the camp, around their fellows, to God’s desire for the holiness of the whole camp.
Famous Nazirites include SamsonA judge noted for great physical strength More (Judges 13:5), SamuelThe judge who anointed the first two kings of Israel More (1 Samuel 1:11), and PaulA Christian missionary who once persecuted the church More (Acts 18:18, 21:20-24).
