TREASURES FROM GOD’S WORD
How Can You Imitate the Nazirites?
Nazirites practiced self-denial (Nu 6:2-4; it-2 477)
Special Vows. The person taking this special vow was “to live as a Nazirite [that is, dedicated, separated] to Jehovah” and not for the plaudits of men due to a showy display of fanatical asceticism. Rather, “all the days of his Naziriteship he is holy to Jehovah.”—Nu 6:2, 8; compare Ge 49:26, ftn.
The requirements laid on Nazirites, therefore, had special significance and meaning in the worship of Jehovah. Like the high priest who, because of his holy office, was to touch no dead body, not even that of one of his closest relatives, so too the Nazirite. The high priest and the underpriests, because of the serious responsibility of their offices, were forbidden to drink wine or intoxicating liquor when performing their sacred duties before Jehovah.—Le 10:8-11; 21:10, 11.
Special Vows. The person taking this special vow was “to live as a Nazirite [that is, dedicated, separated] to Jehovah” and not for the plaudits of men due to a showy display of fanatical asceticism. Rather, “all the days of his Naziriteship he is holy to Jehovah.”—Nu 6:2, 8; compare Ge 49:26, ftn.
The requirements laid on Nazirites, therefore, had special significance and meaning in the worship of Jehovah. Like the high priest who, because of his holy office, was to touch no dead body, not even that of one of his closest relatives, so too the Nazirite. The high priest and the underpriests, because of the serious responsibility of their offices, were forbidden to drink wine or intoxicating liquor when performing their sacred duties before Jehovah.—Le 10:8-11; 21:10, 11.
Nazirites were submissive to Jehovah’s will (Nu 6:5)
Furthermore, the Nazirite (Heb., na·zirʹ) “should prove holy by letting the locks of the hair of his head grow,” such serving as a crowning sign by which all could quickly recognize his holy Naziriteship. (Nu 6:5) The same Hebrew word na·zirʹ was used in regard to the “unpruned” vines during the sacred Sabbath and Jubilee years. (Le 25:5, 11)
Furthermore, the Nazirite (Heb., na·zirʹ) “should prove holy by letting the locks of the hair of his head grow,” such serving as a crowning sign by which all could quickly recognize his holy Naziriteship. (Nu 6:5) The same Hebrew word na·zirʹ was used in regard to the “unpruned” vines during the sacred Sabbath and Jubilee years. (Le 25:5, 11)
Nazirites remained clean before Jehovah (Nu 6:6, 7)
Interesting too is the fact that the gold plate on the front of the turban of the high priest, engraved with the words “Holiness belongs to Jehovah,” was called “the holy sign of dedication [Heb., neʹzer, from the same root as na·zirʹ].” (Ex 39:30, 31) Likewise, the official headpiece, or diadem, worn by Israel’s anointed kings was also called a neʹzer. (2Sa 1:10; 2Ki 11:12; see CROWN; DEDICATION.)
Interesting too is the fact that the gold plate on the front of the turban of the high priest, engraved with the words “Holiness belongs to Jehovah,” was called “the holy sign of dedication [Heb., neʹzer, from the same root as na·zirʹ].” (Ex 39:30, 31) Likewise, the official headpiece, or diadem, worn by Israel’s anointed kings was also called a neʹzer. (2Sa 1:10; 2Ki 11:12; see CROWN; DEDICATION.)
Full-time servants today show a spirit of self-sacrifice and submission to Jehovah and his arrangements.
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