Lexical Summary nazir: Nazirite, one who is consecrated or set apart Original Word: נָזִיר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nazarite, separated Or nazir {naw-zeer'}; from nazar; separate, i.e. Consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite) -- Nazarite (by a false alliteration with Nazareth), separate(-d), vine undressed. see HEBREW nazar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nazar Definition one consecrated, devoted NASB Translation consecrated ones (1), Nazirite (9), Nazirites (2), one distinguished (2), untrimmed vines (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs נָזִיר noun masculineGenesis 49:26 one consecrated, devoted (׳נזיר י Ecclus 46:13c (of Samuel); compare Syriac  RSSemitic i. 463,2d ed. 483); — ׳נ absolute Numbers 6:2 5t.; construct נְזִיר Genesis 49:26 4t.; suffix נְזִירֶ֑ךְ Leviticus 25:5; plural נְזִרִים Amos 2:11,12; suffix נְוִדֶיהָ Leviticus 25:11, נְזִירֶיהָ Lamentations 4:7; — 1 of prince, ruler, as consecrated: נְזִיר אֶחָיו Lam 49:26 (poem in J), one consecrated among his brethren, = Deuteronomy 33:16; compare נְזִירֶיהָ Lamentations 4:7 her princes. 2 specifically of one dedicated to ׳י by vow involving abstinence from intoxicants, from touching corpse, and from cutting hair (compare נֵזֶר 2), devotee (GFM), Nazirite: אֱלּהִים ׳נ God's devotee, of Samson Judges 13:5,7; Judges 16:17 (exceptionally, from birth); usually voluntary Amos 2:11,12, and for limited time, compare ׳נֶדֶר נ Numbers 6:2 (of man or woman; compare PeritzJBL xvii (1898), 128), ׳תּוֺרַת נ Numbers 6:13; Numbers 6:21, also Numbers 6:18; Numbers 6:19; Numbers 6:20 (all P; compare also נֵזֶר). — On Naz. see GFMJudges 13:5 DrAmos 2:11, especially GrillJPTh. 1880, 645-680 NowArchaeology ii, § 97 BenzArchaeology 429 f. GrayJThs. Jan. 1900, 201 ff. 3 = untrimmed vine (like Nazirite with unshorn hair) Leviticus 25:5,11 (H P). Topical Lexicon Meaning and Scope of the Termנָזִיר (nazir) designates that which is “set apart.” In Scripture it applies to both persons and things: most frequently to individuals under a special vow of consecration, but twice to vineyards whose fruit is withheld from ordinary use (Leviticus 25:5, 11) and twice to Joseph as one separated from his brothers for God-given leadership (Genesis 49:26; Deuteronomy 33:16). Old Testament Occurrences 1. Personal consecration (Numbers 6; Judges 13; Amos 2; Lamentations 4) – 12 references The Nazirite Vow in the Mosaic Law Numbers 6:2 introduces the formal vow: “When a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD.” Three outward signs marked the vow: • Abstinence from every product of the vine (6:3-4). The period ended with elaborate offerings (6:13-21), culminating in the priest’s wave of the shorn hair before the altar. Verse 20 concludes, “After that the Nazirite may drink wine.” Historical Examples Samson – Before conception the Angel of the LORD told Manoah’s wife, “For the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb” (Judges 13:5). In Judges 16:17 Samson himself affirms, “I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb.” His strength was tied to the covenant symbol of uncut hair, dramatizing the peril of violating consecration. Samuel – Though the term נָזִיר is not used of him directly, Hannah’s vow in 1 Samuel 1:11 mirrors Numbers 6. Jewish tradition links Samuel to lifelong Naziriteship. Unnamed Nazirites – Lamentations 4:7 recalls their former glory: “Her Nazirites were brighter than snow, whiter than milk.” Amos 2:11-12 indicts Israel for corrupting them: “You made the Nazirites drink wine.” God had raised these dedicated men alongside prophets as living testimonies of holiness. Agricultural Usage Leviticus 25 twice calls the unpruned vines of the Sabbath and Jubilee years “Nazirite” vines. The produce is withheld from ordinary harvesting just as the Nazirite withholds himself from ordinary pleasures. In this way the land, like the worshiper, reminds Israel that fruitfulness belongs to God. Joseph as Nazirite of His Brothers Jacob’s blessing speaks of “the one separate from his brothers” (Genesis 49:26). Moses repeats the thought in Deuteronomy 33:16. Joseph’s political elevation in Egypt foreshadows how separation unto God can lead to service for others’ preservation. Theological Significance Separation is never isolation; it is dedication for divine use. The Nazirite embodies three perennial principles: 1. Voluntary devotion: The vow is chosen, yet once made it binds (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5). New Testament Resonance John the Baptist’s lifelong abstinence (Luke 1:15) and Paul’s temporary vow (Acts 18:18; 21:23-24) echo Nazirite features, while the Lord Jesus Christ—though termed “Nazarene” for geographical reasons—perfectly fulfills the ideal of consecration prayed in John 17:19: “For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth.” Practical Ministry Application • Personal dedication: Believers are urged to present their bodies as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1), an echo of the Nazirite principle. Summary נָזִיר showcases the Scripture’s consistent message that God calls His people to distinctiveness for His glory. Whether manifested in vows, agricultural cycles, or messianic foreshadowing, separation unto the LORD is both a gift and a responsibility, producing lives through which “the fragrance of the knowledge of Him” spreads in every place (2 Corinthians 2:14). Forms and Transliterations הַנְּזִרִ֖ים הַנָּזִ֑יר הַנָּזִ֔יר הַנָּזִ֖יר הַנָּזִ֗יר הַנָּזִיר֮ הנזיר הנזרים לִנְזִרִ֑ים לנזרים נְזִ֤יר נְזִ֥יר נְזִ֧יר נְזִירֶ֖ךָ נְזִירֶ֙יהָ֙ נְזִרֶֽיהָ׃ נָזִ֔יר נזיר נזיריה נזירך נזריה׃ han·nā·zîr han·nə·zi·rîm hannaZir hannāzîr hanneziRim hannəzirîm lin·zi·rîm linziRim linzirîm nā·zîr naZir nāzîr nə·zi·re·hā nə·zî·re·hā nə·zî·re·ḵā nə·zîr neZir nəzîr neziRecha nəzirehā nəzîrehā neziReiha nəzîreḵāLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 49:26 HEB: יוֹסֵ֔ף וּלְקָדְקֹ֖ד נְזִ֥יר אֶחָֽיו׃ פ NAS: And on the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers. KJV: and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren. INT: of Joseph the crown of the one his brothers Leviticus 25:5 Leviticus 25:11 Numbers 6:2 Numbers 6:13 Numbers 6:18 Numbers 6:19 Numbers 6:20 Numbers 6:21 Deuteronomy 33:16 Judges 13:5 Judges 13:7 Judges 16:17 Lamentations 4:7 Amos 2:11 Amos 2:12 16 Occurrences |
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