1 And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,
2 Speake vnto the children of Israel, and say vnto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselues to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselues vnto the Lord:
3 Hee shall separate himselfe from wine, and strong drinke, and shal drinke no vineger of wine, or vineger of strong drinke, neither shal he drinke any liquor of grapes, nor eate moist grapes, or dried.
4 All the dayes of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels euen to the huske.
5 All the dayes of the vow of his separation, there shall no rasour come vpon his head: vntill the dayes bee fulfilled in the which hee separateth himselfe vnto the Lord, he shall be holy, and shall let the lockes of the haire of his head grow.
6 All the dayes that he separateth himselfe vnto the Lord, hee shall come at no dead body.
7 Hee shall not make himselfe vncleane for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die: because the consecration of his God is vpon his head.
8 All the dayes of his separation he is holy vnto the Lord.
9 And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration, then he shall shaue his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seuenth day shall he shaue it.
10 And on the eight day he shal bring two turtles or two yong pigeons to the Priest, to the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
11 And the Priest shall offer the one for a sinne offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make an atonement for him, for that hee sinned by the dead, and shall hallow his head that same day.
12 And hee shall consecrate vnto the Lord the dayes of his separation, and shall bring a lambe of the first yeere for a trespasse offering: but the dayes that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.
13 ¶ And this is the Lawe of the Nazarite: when the dayes of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought vnto the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation.
14 And he shall offer his offring vnto the Lord, one hee lambe of the first yeere without blemish, for a burnt offering, and one ewe lambe of the first yeere without blemish, for a sinne offering, and one lambe without blemish for peace offerings,
15 And a basket of vnleauened bread, cakes of fine flowre mingled with oyle, and wafers of vnleauened bread anointed with oyle, and their meate offering, and their drinke offerings.
16 And the Priest shall bring them before the Lord, and shall offer his sinne offering, and his burnt offering.
17 And he shall offer the ramme for a sacrifice of peace offerings vnto the Lord, with the basket of vnleauened bread: the Priest shall offer also his meate offering, and his drinke offering.
18 And the Nazarite shal shaue the head of his separation, at the doore of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and shall take the haire of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is vnder the sacrifice of the peace offerings.
19 And the Priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ramme, and one vnleauened cake out of the basket, and one vnleauened wafer, and shall put them vpon the hands of the Nazarite, after the haire of his separation is shauen.
20 And the Priest shall waue them for a waue offring before the Lord: this is holy for the Priest, with the waue breast, and heaue shoulder: and after that, the Nazarite may drinke wine.
21 This is the Law of the Nazarite, who hath vowed, and of his offering vnto the Lord for his separation, besides that, that his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation.
22 ¶ And the Lord spake vnto Moses, saying,
23 Speake vnto Aaron, and vnto his sonnes, saying, On this wise ye shall blesse the children of Israel, saying vnto them:
24 The Lord blesse thee, and keepe thee:
25 The Lord make his face shine vpon thee, and be gracious vnto thee:
26 The Lord lift vp his countenance vpon thee, and giue thee peace.
27 And they shall put my Name vpon the children of Israel, and I will blesse them.
The law concerning the Nazarites. (1-21) The form of blessing the people. (22-27)1-21 The word Nazarite signifies separation. Some were appointed of God, before their birth, to be Nazarites all their days, as Samson and John the Baptist. But, in general, it was a vow of separation from the world and devotedness to the services of religion, for a limited time, and under certain rules, which any person might make if they pleased. A Nazarite is spoken of as well known; but his obligation is brought to a greater certainty than before. That the fancies of superstitious men might not multiply the restraints endlessly, God gives them rules. They must not drink wine or strong drink, nor eat grapes. Those who separate themselves to God, must not gratify the desires of the body, but keep it under. Let all Christians be very moderate in the use of wine and strong drink; for if the love of these once gets the mastery of a man, he becomes an easy prey to Satan. The Nazarites were to eat nothing that came of the vine; this may teach the utmost care to avoid sin, and all that borders upon it, and leads to it, or may be a temptation to us. They must not cut their hair. They must neither poll their heads, nor shave their beards; this was the mark of Samson being a Nazarite. This signified neglect of the body, and of the ease and ornament of it. Those who separate themselves to God, must keep their consciences pure from dead works, and not touch unclean things. All the days of their separation they must be holy to the Lord. This was the meaning of those outward observances, and without this they were of no account. No penalty or sacrifice was appointed for those who wilfully broke their vow of being Nazarites; they must answer another day for such profane trifling with the Lord their God; but those were to be relieved who did not sin wilfully. There is nothing in Scripture that bears the least resemblance to the religious orders of the church of Rome, except these Nazarites. But mark the difference, or rather how completely opposed! The religious of that church are forbidden to marry; but no such restriction is laid upon the Nazarites. They are commanded to abstain from meats; but the Nazarites might eat any food allowed other Israelites. They are not generally forbidden wine, not even on their fasting days; but the Nazarites might not have wine at any time. Their vow is lasting, even to the end of their lives; the Nazarites' vow was only for a limited time, at their own will; and in certain cases not unless allowed by husbands or parents. Such a thorough difference there is between rules of man's invention and those directed in Scripture, Let us not forget that the Lord Jesus is not only our Surety, but also our example. For his sake we must renounce worldly pleasures, abstain from fleshy lusts, be separate from sinners, make open profession of our faith, moderate natural affections, be spiritually-minded, and devoted to God's service, and desirous to be an example all around us.
22-27 The priests were solemnly to bless the people in the name of the Lord. To be under the almighty protection of God our Saviour; to enjoy his favour as the smile of a loving Father, or as the cheering beams of the sun; while he mercifully forgives our sins, supplies our wants, consoles the heart, and prepares us by his grace for eternal glory; these things form the substance of this blessing, and the sum total of all blessings. In so rich a list of mercies worldly joys are not worthy to be mentioned. Here is a form of prayer. The name Jehovah is three times repeated. The Jews think there is some mystery; and we know what it is, the New Testament having explained it. There we are directed to expect the blessing from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of the Father, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, #2Co 13:14|; each of which Persons is Jehovah, and yet they are not three Lords, but one Lord.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.