John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them , etc.] Whom the following law only concerned, and not Gentiles; so runs the Jewish canon, “the Gentiles have no Nazariteship, though they may bring their vows and freewill offerings as an Israelite, yet if they vow the vow of a Nazarite, the law of the Nazarite is not obliging on them, or they bound by it; but it is free for them to drink wine, and defile themselves for the dead; for it is written, “speak unto the children of Israel” f61 :” when either man or woman shall separate [themselves] to vow a vow of a Nazarite ; or “do a wonderful thing” f62 ; something unusual and uncommon, and what is out of the way of the men of the world, who give themselves up to pleasure, and have little regard to the worship and service of God; wherefore for a person, a man or woman, to vow abstinence from wine and dress, and from the company of others, and to oblige themselves to strict and close devotion to God, was something singular and surprising. This is to be understood of such persons who were at their own disposal; for such that were in their minority, and under the power of parents, or were married women, if they vowed, their vows did not stand, and their parents or husbands could disannul them, unless they had consented to them by their silence, when they heard them made, ( Numbers 30:3-14). There were various sorts of Nazarites; some were appointed by God, as Samson; some were devoted by their parents, as Samuel; and some by themselves, concerning whom is this law more especially; some were perpetual Nazarites, a Nazarite for life, as the two persons just mentioned; though the Jews distinguish between a Samsonian Nazarite, and a perpetual one f63 ; and some were only for a certain time, according as they vowed: to separate [themselves] unto the Lord ; the Targum of Jonathan is, “to the name of the Lord”; to the honour of his name. Such persons devoted themselves, and set apart their time to serve the Lord in a stricter and purer manner than others, and therefore were had in great account, ( Lamentations 4:7 Amos 2:11); they were types of Christ, who, though he was not strictly a Nazarite, but a Nazarene, yet answered to the Nazarites in his being set apart in divine predestination by his Father to the office of Mediator; in the sanctification of himself, and devoting himself, his time and service, to his Father’s glory; and in his being holy and harmless in his life and conversation, and separate from sinners: and they were also emblems of the special people of God, who are a separate people in election, redemption, and calling, and in the intercession of Christ; and as they will be at the last judgment, and to all eternity, and should be now separate from others in their lives and conversations.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-21 - The word Nazarite signifies separation. Some were appointed of God before their birth, to be Nazarites all their days, as Samson and Joh the Baptist. But, in general, it was a vow of separation from the worl and devotedness to the services of religion, for a limited time, an under certain rules, which any person might make if they pleased. Nazarite is spoken of as well known; but his obligation is brought to greater certainty than before. That the fancies of superstitious me might not multiply the restraints endlessly, God gives them rules. The must not drink wine or strong drink, nor eat grapes. Those who separat themselves to God, must not gratify the desires of the body, but kee it under. Let all Christians be very moderate in the use of wine an strong drink; for if the love of these once gets the mastery of a man he becomes an easy prey to Satan. The Nazarites were to eat nothin that came of the vine; this may teach the utmost care to avoid sin, an all that borders upon it, and leads to it, or may be a temptation to us. They must not cut their hair. They must neither poll their heads nor shave their beards; this was the mark of Samson being a Nazarite This signified neglect of the body, and of the ease and ornament of it Those who separate themselves to God, must keep their consciences pur from dead works, and not touch unclean things. All the days of their separation they must be holy to the Lord. This was the meaning of thos outward observances, and without this they were of no account. N penalty or sacrifice was appointed for those who wilfully broke their vow of being Nazarites; they must answer another day for such profan trifling with the Lord their God; but those were to be relieved who di not sin wilfully. There is nothing in Scripture that bears the leas resemblance to the religious orders of the church of Rome, except thes Nazarites. But mark the difference, or rather how completely opposed The religious of that church are forbidden to marry; but no suc restriction is laid upon the Nazarites. They are commanded to abstai from meats; but the Nazarites might eat any food allowed othe Israelites. They are not generally forbidden wine, not even on their fasting days; but the Nazarites might not have wine at any time. Their vow is lasting, even to the end of their lives; the Nazarites' vow wa only for a limited time, at their own will; and in certain cases no unless allowed by husbands or parents. Such a thorough difference ther is between rules of man's invention and those directed in Scripture Let us not forget that the Lord Jesus is not only our Surety, but als our example. For his sake we must renounce worldly pleasures, abstai from fleshy lusts, be separate from sinners, make open profession of our faith, moderate natural affections, be spiritually-minded, an devoted to God's service, and desirous to be an example all around us (Nu 6:22-27)
Original Hebrew דבר1696 אל413 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 ואמרת559 אלהם413 אישׁ376 או176 אשׁה802 כי3588 יפלא6381 לנדר5087 נדר5088 נזיר5139 להזיר5144 ליהוה׃3069
