Lexical Summary mowrah: Fear, Reverence Original Word: מוֹרָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance razor From muwr in the sense of shearing; a razor -- razor. see HEBREW muwr Brown-Driver-Briggs II. מוֺרָה noun masculine razor (√ dubious; WeSm p. 146 thinks = מַעֲרָה); — razor, always in phrase א׳ל ׳מ עַלרֿאֹשׁ (עָלָה) יַעֲלֶה Judges 13:5; Judges 16:17; 1 Samuel 1:11. I, II. מוֺרֶה see ירה. מוֺרִיָּה see מֹרִיָּה. [מוֺרָשׁ], מוֺרָשָׁה, מוֺר֫שֶׁת, מוֺרַשְׁתִּי see ירשׁ. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scopeמֹורָה (morah) denotes a razor or shaving knife, the instrument used to remove hair from the head. Although the word appears only three times, its usage is tightly linked to the Nazirite vow of consecration, giving it theological weight beyond its modest lexical footprint. Occurrences in Scripture “For behold, you will conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from birth…” “A razor has never come over my head,” Samson confesses to Delilah, grounding his superhuman strength in a life of separation symbolized by uncut hair. Hannah pledges concerning Samuel, “No razor shall ever touch his head,” binding her long-awaited child to lifelong service before he is conceived. Nazirite Vow and Consecration The substance of the Nazirite vow is spelled out in Numbers 6. Abstinence from grape products and contact with the dead are distinctive, yet the prohibition against applying a razor is the visible hallmark. מֹורָה thus becomes the concrete sign that a person’s ordinary autonomy has been surrendered to God. By withholding the razor, the Nazirite advertises divine ownership of every faculty, even physical appearance. Symbolism of the Unshorn Head 1. Ownership: Hair left untouched signifies that God alone has the right to “harvest”—to direct—one’s life. Historical Background of Razors in the Ancient Near East Bronze and later iron razors were common in Egypt and Mesopotamia, where priests often shaved their heads completely. Israel’s Nazirite counter-pattern—refusing the razor—distinguished Yahweh’s servants from the surrounding religious systems. מֹורָה therefore marks a boundary between covenant fidelity and pagan custom. Theological and Ministry Implications • Divine Initiative: In all three passages, the restriction originates with God or a Spirit-led vow before the child’s birth, highlighting sovereign purpose. Typology and Fulfillment in Christ The Nazirite ideal anticipates Jesus Christ, whose absolute holiness required no external symbol yet fulfilled its essence. As the greater Nazarene (Matthew 2:23), He remained wholly dedicated to the Father, accomplishing what every Nazirite signified—perfect obedience and perfect sacrifice. Applications for Believers Today 1. Visible Witness: While the outward sign varies, believers still make their consecration tangible through baptism, sacrificial living, and ethical distinctiveness. Conclusion מֹורָה may be a small word, but it wields theological heft. Each appearance of the razor calls the reader to consider the cost and privilege of bearing visible tokens of belonging to God, reminding every generation that true power and enduring ministry flow from unreserved consecration. Forms and Transliterations וּמוֹרָ֖ה וּמוֹרָה֙ ומורה מוֹרָה֙ מורה mō·w·rāh moRah mōwrāh ū·mō·w·rāh umoRah ūmōwrāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 13:5 HEB: וְיֹלַ֣דְתְּ בֵּ֗ן וּמוֹרָה֙ לֹא־ יַעֲלֶ֣ה NAS: and no razor shall come KJV: a son; and no razor shall come INT: and give to a son razor and no shall come Judges 16:17 1 Samuel 1:11 3 Occurrences |
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