Lexical Summary nezer: Crown, consecration, separation, dedication Original Word: נֶזֶר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance consecration, crown, hair, separation Or nezer {nay'-zer}; from nazar; properly, something set apart, i.e. (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or Nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chaplet (especially of royalty) -- consecration, crown, hair, separation. see HEBREW nazar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom nazar Definition consecration, crown, Naziriteship NASB Translation consecration (1), crown (10), dedicated (4), hair (1), Nazirite (1), separation (8). Brown-Driver-Briggs נֵ֫זֶר noun masculinePsalm 132:18 consecration, crown, Naziriteship; — ׳נ absolute 2 Samuel 1:10 +; construct Exodus 29:6 +; suffix נִזֵרוֺ Psalm 89:40 +, נִזְרֵךְ Jeremiah 7:29; — 1 crown (sign of consecration; WeSkizzeu iii. 118 compare Syriac קדשא [ a. of king 2 Samuel 1:10; 2 Kings 11:12 2Chronicles 23:11; symbol of royal power Psalm 89:40; Psalm 132:18; compare Proverbs 27:24; ׳אַבְּנֵי נ Zechariah 9:16 stones of a crown, diadem (probably; > We Now — who strike out, compare GASm — stones of charming, from use of precious stones as charms. b. of high priest, הַקֹּדֶשׁ ׳נ Exodus 29:6, made of gold Exodus 39:30; Leviticus 8:9 (all P). 2 woman's hair (originally probably of long hair as sign of consecration, as in Nazirite vow, compare Numbers 6:19 below, and נָזַיר also WeSklzzen iii. 117, 107; Arab. Heidenthum 2, p. 143 RSSemitic i. 464. 2d ed. 483), Jeremiah 7:29 (of personified Jerusalem). 3 consecration a. of high priest עליו ׳שֶׁמֶן מִשְׁחַת א ׳נ Leviticus 21:12 (P) the consecration of the oil of anointing of his God is upon him. b. in Numbers 6 (P), specifically of Nazirite consecration (compare נָזִיר) : אֱלֹהָיו עָלָיו ׳נ Numbers 6:7, נֶדֶר נִזְרוֺ Numbers 6:5, ׳טָמֵא נ Numbers 6:12, ׳ראֹשׁ נ (because of unshorn hair) Numbers 6:9; Numbers 6:18; Numbers 6:18, ׳(כָּלֿ) יְמֵי נ Numbers 6:4; Numbers 6:8; Numbers 6:12; Numbers 6:13 ׳תּוֺרַת נ Numbers 6:21 b compare ׳עַלנֿ Numbers 6:21a; in Numbers 6:19 ׳נ = the hair of his consecration (compare Jeremiah 7:29 above). Topical Lexicon Overview Nezer denotes a visible emblem of consecration. Whether wrought in gold and set on a priestly miter, bound to the uncut locks of a Nazirite, or placed upon a monarch’s head, it testifies that the bearer is set apart to God’s service and under His sovereign claim. High Priestly Diadem Exodus 29:6; 39:30; Leviticus 8:9 reveal the nezer as a “holy crown of gold” fastened to the high priest’s turban, engraved with the words “Holy to the LORD.” By this sign, Aaron carried “the guilt involved in the holy offerings” (Exodus 28:38), foreshadowing the mediatorial role of Christ, our High Priest “who has been consecrated forever” (Hebrews 7:28). Leviticus 21:12 warns the high priest not to leave the sanctuary in mourning, “for the consecration (nezer) of the anointing oil of his God is on him”; his office is permanent, unaffected by personal circumstance. Nazirite Consecration Numbers 6 employs nezer sixteen times. The unshorn hair is “the symbol of his separation to God” (Numbers 6:7). The Nazirite’s visible nezer preached holiness to Israel: abstention from wine, avoidance of defilement, and dutiful offerings when the vow was complete. If defiled, “he must consecrate to the LORD the days of his separation and bring a year-old male lamb for a guilt offering” (6:12). Jeremiah 7:29 echoes this imagery in national judgment: “Cut off your hair and cast it away,” signifying Israel’s forfeited consecration. The Nazirite ideal pointed forward to the One greater than Samson or Samuel—Jesus of Nazareth, perfectly devoted from womb to tomb and crowned in resurrection glory. Royal Authority Nezer also denotes a regal crown. Saul’s diadem taken to David (2 Samuel 1:10) and the crowning of Joash (2 Kings 11:12; 2 Chronicles 23:11) illustrate the Lord’s prerogative to give and remove authority. Proverbs 27:24 warns, “for riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to every generation.” Earthly reigns are transient; only the Messiah’s kingdom is everlasting (Isaiah 9:7). Songs and Psalms The psalmists use nezer both in lament and in hope. “You have defiled his crown to the ground” (Psalm 89:39) mourns covenant breach during royal humiliation. Yet Psalm 132:18 foretells triumph: “His crown will shine.” The tension heightens the anticipation of a Davidic king whose consecration no sin can tarnish. Prophetic Hope and Warning Zechariah 9:16 envisions post-exilic Judah: “They will sparkle in His land like jewels in a crown.” Restoration imagery turns the nation itself into a consecrated diadem, aligning with Isaiah 62:3. Conversely, Jeremiah’s command to shear the nezer proclaims that persistent rebellion severs sacred privilege. Messianic Foreshadowing Every Old Testament nezer anticipates Jesus Christ. The golden crown typifies His sinless priesthood; Nazirite locks presage His flawless devotion; royal diadems prefigure His universal reign. The mock “crown of thorns” (Matthew 27:29) ironically affirms His rightful kingship, and Revelation beholds Him wearing “many crowns,” completing the biblical arc of consecration. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Visible Holiness: Like the priest’s diadem, leaders today must live transparently holy lives, reminding the flock that they are “a royal priesthood.” Forms and Transliterations הַנֵּ֙זֶר֙ הַנֵּ֣זֶר ׀ הנזר נִזְר֑וֹ נִזְר֔וֹ נִזְרֵךְ֙ נִזְרֽוֹ׃ נֵ֔זֶר נֵ֝֗זֶר נֵ֠זֶר נֵ֣זֶר נֵ֥זֶר נֵֽזֶר־ נזר נזר־ נזרו נזרו׃ נזרך han·nê·zer hanNezer hannêzer nê·zer nê·zer- Nezer nêzer nêzer- niz·rêḵ niz·rōw nizreCh nizrêḵ nizRo nizrōwLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 29:6 HEB: וְנָתַתָּ֛ אֶת־ נֵ֥זֶר הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ עַל־ NAS: and put the holy crown on the turban. KJV: and put the holy crown upon the mitre. INT: his head and put crown the holy on Exodus 39:30 Leviticus 8:9 Leviticus 21:12 Numbers 6:4 Numbers 6:5 Numbers 6:7 Numbers 6:8 Numbers 6:9 Numbers 6:12 Numbers 6:12 Numbers 6:13 Numbers 6:18 Numbers 6:18 Numbers 6:19 Numbers 6:21 Numbers 6:21 2 Samuel 1:10 2 Kings 11:12 2 Chronicles 23:11 Psalm 89:39 Psalm 132:18 Proverbs 27:24 Jeremiah 7:29 Zechariah 9:16 25 Occurrences |
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], earring; see also GeiJüd. Zeitschr. x. 45 ff. on נֶזֶם):