Numbers 6:9
New International Version
“’If someone dies suddenly in the Nazirite’s presence, thus defiling the hair that symbolizes their dedication, they must shave their head on the seventh day—the day of their cleansing.

New Living Translation
“If someone falls dead beside them, the hair they have dedicated will be defiled. They must wait for seven days and then shave their heads. Then they will be cleansed from their defilement.

English Standard Version
“And if any man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.

Berean Standard Bible
If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day.

King James Bible
And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

New King James Version
‘And if anyone dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shall shave it.

New American Standard Bible
‘But if someone dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his consecrated head of hair, then he shall shave his head on the day when he becomes clean; he shall shave it on the seventh day.

NASB 1995
But if a man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his dedicated head of hair, then he shall shave his head on the day when he becomes clean; he shall shave it on the seventh day.

NASB 1977
‘But if a man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his dedicated head of hair, then he shall shave his head on the day when he becomes clean; he shall shave it on the seventh day.

Legacy Standard Bible
‘But if a man dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles the head of hair during his Nazirite vow, then he shall shave his head on the day when he becomes clean; he shall shave it on the seventh day.

Amplified Bible
‘If a man dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles his dedicated head, then he shall shave his head on the day that he becomes [ceremonially] clean; he shall shave it on the seventh day [the end of the purification period].

Christian Standard Bible
“If someone suddenly dies near him, defiling his consecrated head, he must shave his head on the day of his purification; he is to shave it on the seventh day.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If someone suddenly dies near him, defiling his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his purification; he is to shave it on the seventh day.

American Standard Version
And if any man die very suddenly beside him, and he defile the head of his separation; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

Contemporary English Version
If someone suddenly dies near you, your hair is no longer sacred, and you must shave it seven days later during the ceremony to make you clean.

English Revised Version
And if any man die very suddenly beside him, and he defile the head of his separation; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Someone might suddenly drop dead next to a Nazirite and make the Nazirite's hair unclean. Seven days later he must shave his head in order to be declared clean.

Good News Translation
If your consecrated hair is defiled because you are right beside someone who suddenly dies, you must wait seven days and then shave your head; and so you become ritually clean.

International Standard Version
When someone suddenly dies beside him, so that his consecrated head is defiled, then he is to shave his head on the day of his purification. Seven days later he is to shave it again.

Majority Standard Bible
If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing?the seventh day.

NET Bible
"'If anyone dies very suddenly beside him and he defiles his consecrated head, then he must shave his head on the day of his purification--on the seventh day he must shave it.

New Heart English Bible
"If any man dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles the head of his separation; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing. On the seventh day he shall shave it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if any man shall die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

World English Bible
“‘If any man dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles the head of his separation, then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing. On the seventh day he shall shave it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And when the dead dies beside him in an instant, suddenly, and he has defiled the head of his separation, then he has shaved his head in the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he shaves it,

Young's Literal Translation
'And when the dead dieth beside him in an instant, suddenly, and he hath defiled the head of his separation, then he hath shaved his head in the day of his cleansing; on the seventh day he doth shave it,

Smith's Literal Translation
And when the dying shall die by him suddenly, in a moment, and the head of his consecration was defiled and he shaved his head in the day of his cleansing, in the seventh day shall he shave it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But if any man die suddenly before him: the head of his consecration shall be defiled: and he shall shave it forthwith on the same day of his purification, and again on the seventh day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But if anyone will have died unexpectedly before him, the head of his consecration shall be polluted, and he shall shave it in that very place, on the same day of his purification, and again on the seventh day.

New American Bible
If someone dies very suddenly in their presence, defiling their dedicated heads, they shall shave their heads on the day of their purification, that is, on the seventh day.

New Revised Standard Version
If someone dies very suddenly nearby, defiling the consecrated head, then they shall shave the head on the day of their cleansing; on the seventh day they shall shave it.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if any man dies very suddenly by him, he has defiled the crown of his separation; then he shall shave his head on the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if the dead should die upon him suddenly, the head of his Nazaritehood shall be defiled and he shall shave his head in the day of purifying and the seventh day he shall shave it.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And if any man die very suddenly beside him, and he defile his consecrated head, then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if any one should die suddenly by him, immediately the head of his vow shall be defiled; and he shall shave his head in whatever day he shall be purified: on the seventh day he shall be shaved.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Nazirite Vow
8Throughout the time of his separation, he is holy to the LORD. 9If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing— the seventh day. 10On the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.…

Cross References
Leviticus 21:1-4
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to Aaron’s sons, the priests, and tell them that a priest is not to defile himself for a dead person among his people, / except for his immediate family—his mother, father, son, daughter, or brother, / or his unmarried sister who is near to him, since she has no husband. ...

Ezekiel 44:25-27
A priest must not defile himself by going near a dead person. However, for a father, a mother, a son, a daughter, a brother, or an unmarried sister, he may do so, / and after he is cleansed, he must count off seven days for himself. / And on the day he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he must present his sin offering, declares the Lord GOD.

Amos 2:11-12
I raised up prophets from your sons and Nazirites from your young men. Is this not true, O children of Israel?” declares the LORD. / “But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

Judges 13:5-7
For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” / So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name. / But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’”

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

Acts 18:18
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

Acts 21:23-24
Therefore do what we advise you. There are four men with us who have taken a vow. / Take these men, purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know that there is no truth to these rumors about you, but that you also live in obedience to the law.

1 Corinthians 11:10
For this reason a woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels.

Matthew 2:23
and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Luke 1:15
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

2 Corinthians 6:17
“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.

Revelation 14:4
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever He goes. They have been redeemed from among men as firstfruits to God and to the Lamb.


Treasury of Scripture

And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he has defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.

and he

Numbers 19:14-19
This is the law, when a man dieth in a tent: all that come into the tent, and all that is in the tent, shall be unclean seven days…

shave

Numbers 6:18
And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

Acts 18:18
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.

Acts 21:23,24
Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; …

Jump to Previous
Clean Cleansing Consecrated Consecration Cut Dead Death Dedicated Defile Defiled Defiles Defiling Die Dies Dieth Hair Head Presence Separation Seventh Shave Side Someone Suddenly Unclean
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Clean Cleansing Consecrated Consecration Cut Dead Death Dedicated Defile Defiled Defiles Defiling Die Dies Dieth Hair Head Presence Separation Seventh Shave Side Someone Suddenly Unclean
Numbers 6
1. The law of the Nazarite in the days of his separation
13. And after their completion
22. The form of blessing the people














If someone dies suddenly in his presence
This phrase introduces a scenario where a Nazirite vow is unintentionally broken. The Hebrew word for "suddenly" (פֶּתַע, petha) implies an unexpected or accidental event. In the context of ancient Israel, maintaining ritual purity was crucial, especially for those under a Nazirite vow, which was a special commitment to God. The sudden death represents an unavoidable defilement, highlighting the fragility of human plans and the need for divine grace in maintaining holiness.

defiling his consecrated head
The term "defiling" (טָמֵא, tame) refers to becoming ritually unclean. The "consecrated head" signifies the Nazirite's vow, symbolized by uncut hair, which was a visible sign of their dedication to God. This phrase underscores the importance of purity and the sacredness of vows made to God. It reflects the broader biblical theme that holiness requires separation from death and sin, emphasizing the need for vigilance in spiritual commitments.

he must shave his head
Shaving the head is a symbolic act of purification and renewal. In the Hebrew culture, hair was often associated with strength and identity, as seen in the account of Samson. By shaving his head, the Nazirite acknowledges the breach in his vow and begins anew. This act of humility and obedience is a powerful reminder of the need for repentance and the opportunity for a fresh start in one's spiritual journey.

on the day of his cleansing
The "day of his cleansing" marks a specific time set by God for restoration. The Hebrew word for cleansing (טָהֳרָה, taharah) involves both physical and spiritual purification. This phrase indicates that God provides a way to restore what was lost, emphasizing His mercy and the possibility of redemption. It points to the broader biblical narrative of God's desire to cleanse and restore His people.

the seventh day
The "seventh day" is significant in biblical theology, often associated with completion and rest, as seen in the creation account. In this context, it represents the completion of the cleansing process. The number seven frequently symbolizes perfection and divine order, suggesting that God's provision for restoration is both complete and perfect. This highlights the hope and assurance believers have in God's perfect timing and provision for their spiritual renewal.

Verse 9. If any man die very suddenly by him. עָלָיו, in his presence, or neighbourhood, so that, having hastened to his assistance, lie found himself in contact with a corpse. This case is mentioned particularly, because it was the only one in which simple humanity or mere accident would be likely to infringe upon the vow. In the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day. This appears to be an anticipation of the law given below (Numbers 19:11); but that law may have only sanctioned the existing custom. Shall he shave it. Because "the consecration of his God upon his head" was desecrated by the pollution of death, it must, therefore, be made away with and begun over again.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
וְכִֽי־ (wə·ḵî-)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

someone suddenly
בְּפֶ֣תַע (bə·p̄e·ṯa‘)
Preposition-b | Adverb
Strong's 6621: A wink, moment

dies
יָמ֨וּת (yā·mūṯ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4191: To die, to kill

in his presence
עָלָיו֙ (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

and defiles
וְטִמֵּ֖א (wə·ṭim·mê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2930: To be or become unclean

his consecrated head
רֹ֣אשׁ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7218: The head

of hair,
נִזְר֑וֹ (niz·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5145: Something set apart, dedication, unshorn locks, a chaplet

he must shave
וְגִלַּ֤ח (wə·ḡil·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1548: To be bald, to shave, to lay waste

his head
רֹאשׁוֹ֙ (rō·šōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

on the day
בְּי֣וֹם (bə·yō·wm)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3117: A day

of his cleansing—
טָהֳרָת֔וֹ (ṭā·ho·rā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 2893: Ceremonial purification, moral purity

the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֖י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

day.
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Law: Numbers 6:9 If any man dies very suddenly beside (Nu Num.)
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