“Nazirites”

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Please refresh my memory regarding Nazirites.  First of all, does this word simply mean "separated", or does the word have something to do with the city of Nazareth?

What lessons can we learn from those who lived under this vow, and for what purpose did God place an importance upon those He raised up as such?(Amos 2:11)

We know that Samson and Samuel lived their lives as Nazirites, but could John the Baptist also have lived under this vow according to Luke 1:15?

Then in Lamentations 4:7, I am confused as to who is being referred to here.

Lastly, (sorry for so many questions regarding this!) it appears to me that a person could choose to be a Nazirite for a "set amount of time".  Is it possible that Jesus ever took this vow?  Obviously not when He instituted the Lord's Supper, but I am just curious.  Thank you so much.  This is a wonderful website!

Sincerely,
I’d Like To Buy A Vow

Dear I’d Like To Buy A Vow,

Nazirite does indeed mean ‘separated’ or ‘consecrated’.  A Nazirite was someone who had taken a vow to serve God by abstaining from various things for a specified period of time.  The list of things involved with being a Nazirite can be seen in Num 6:1-9.  The most notable traits of a Nazirite were that they wouldn’t cut their hair, and they abstained from all grape products.

Nazirites were people who were voluntarily, deeply committed to serving God and made great sacrifices to put God first in their lives.  There is little we know about the life of a Nazirite.  Their vow to abstain from certain things seems similar to the idea of fasting – when you give something up for God, it is a sign of your commitment and dedication, and it helps to keep you focused on your spiritual goals.  Amos 2:11-12 is addressing how much God loved and appreciated Nazirites, and it contrasts that love with how Israel abused them.

Samson was a lifelong Nazirite (Judg 13:5), and Hannah consecrated Samuel as a Nazirite from birth (1 Sam 1:11).  We don’t know for sure whether John the Baptist was a Nazirite… but Lk 1:15 certainly lends toward it.

Lamentations is an entire book dedicated to Jeremiah’s sorrow over the fall of Jerusalem.  Lam 4:7 is part of that lament.  The nobles/Nazirites (depending on your translation) are the consecrated and faithful that used to populate the streets and faithfully serve God.  With wistful sorrow, Jeremiah remembers the days when people were faithful and godly in Jerusalem.

And lastly, it is not likely that Jesus was ever a Nazirite.  The reason for this is that He had a reputation for being the exact opposite of John the Baptist (Lk 7:33-34).  Since it is likely John the Baptist was a Nazirite, Jesus wouldn’t have ever been one.

Share