The term "Nazarite" refers to an individual who has taken a vow of consecration to God, as outlined in the Old Testament. The Nazarite vow is detailed in Numbers 6:1-21 and involves a period of separation and dedication to the Lord. The character of a Nazarite is marked by specific commitments and lifestyle choices that reflect their devotion.

1. Separation and Holiness

A Nazarite is characterized by a life of separation unto God. This separation is both physical and spiritual, symbolizing a deeper commitment to holiness. The vow includes abstaining from wine and other fermented drinks, as well as refraining from consuming anything derived from grapes. Numbers 6:3-4 states, "He is to abstain from wine and strong drink; he must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink. He must not drink any grape juice or eat grapes or raisins. All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine—not even the seeds or skins."

2. Symbol of Strength and Dedication

The Nazarite vow also involves not cutting one's hair for the duration of the vow, which serves as a visible symbol of their strength and dedication to God. This aspect of the vow is famously exemplified in the life of Samson, whose uncut hair was a source of his God-given strength (Judges 13-16). The unshorn hair represents the Nazarite's ongoing commitment and the power that comes from living a life set apart for divine purposes.

3. Purity and Avoidance of Death

A Nazarite must avoid contact with dead bodies, even those of close family members, to maintain ceremonial purity. Numbers 6:6-7 instructs, "Throughout the days of his separation to the LORD, he must not go near a dead body. Even if his father or mother or brother or sister should die, he is not to defile himself, because the crown of consecration to his God is upon his head." This requirement underscores the Nazarite's commitment to purity and the avoidance of anything that could defile their consecrated state.

4. Voluntary and Temporary Commitment

The Nazarite vow is typically voluntary and can be taken by both men and women. It is often for a specific period, after which the individual returns to their normal life. However, some, like Samson, were Nazarites for life, as ordained by God before their birth. The temporary nature of most Nazarite vows highlights the intentional and sacrificial aspect of this commitment, as individuals willingly set aside personal freedoms to draw closer to God.

5. Rituals of Completion

Upon completion of the vow, the Nazarite undergoes specific rituals to mark the end of their period of consecration. This includes offering sacrifices and shaving their head at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting, as described in Numbers 6:13-18 . The hair, which had grown during the vow, is then burned as part of the peace offering, symbolizing the fulfillment of their vow and the return to ordinary life.

The character of a Nazarite, therefore, is one of profound dedication, marked by a lifestyle of separation, purity, and visible commitment to God. This vow serves as a powerful testament to the individual's desire to live a life wholly devoted to the Lord, reflecting the broader biblical call to holiness and consecration.Lamentations 4:7
Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire:
Nave's Topical Index

Amos 2:11,12
And I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O you children of Israel? said the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Separation to God.
... Having seen the character of the vow of the Nazarite, and of the ordinances to be
observed should the vow be violated, the case of a Nazarite who has duly ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

Impossible that Marcion's Christ Should Reprove the Faithless ...
... and smoking flax shall He not quench." [4403] Being of such a character, He was
of ... 4410] ; as well as that in Numbers, which relates to the (Nazarite) vow of ...
/.../chapter xxiii impossible that marcions christ.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... But we must not leave out of sight, in estimating his character, the Nazarite vow,
which his parents had made before his birth, and he had endorsed all his life ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

'Me a Christian!'
... In position and in character (largely resulting from the position) he was uncommonly ...
from accompanying him to Rome because she was fulfilling a Nazarite vow in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/me a christian.htm

Elijah Come Again
... John was to be a Nazarite, living not for the senses, but the soul, as ... The consequence
of his character is seen in his work, as described generally in verse 16 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/elijah come again.htm

The Teacher Come from God and the Teacher from Jerusalem - Jesus ...
... no mere man ever bore those lineaments: that of the ideal Nazarite, whom the ... the
rulers who had entered on that conflict, of which, from the character and aims ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi the teacher come.htm

His Schools and Schoolmasters.
... The Nazarite would have felt it a sin against the law of his vocation and ... to their
fashions and whims; we limit the natural developments of character on God's ...
/.../meyer/john the baptist/iii his schools and schoolmasters.htm

Perfection in Faith
... But we are perfect; not in character, mark, for we are still sinners; but we ... object
of all your labours; that you are like Samson, a Nazarite, consecrated to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/perfection in faith.htm

Samson Conquered
... understand, was entirely consecrated to God, and when any saw him, they would say,
"That man is God's man, a Nazarite, set apart ... Is he a public character? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Paul in Jerusalem.
... providence towards individuals afford no certain criterion of their character and
the ... would observe the purity which was required from the Nazarite, for seven ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxv paul in jerusalem.htm

What was the source of Samson's strength? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus drink wine/alcohol? | GotQuestions.org

What should we learn from the account of Samson and Delilah? | GotQuestions.org

Nazarite: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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