Big Idea: Willingly dedicate oneself to God.
Understanding the Text
The Nazirite regulations continue the theme of purity from Numbers 5. The Nazirites are laymen and laywomen who in a special way have dedicated themselves to God. Amos lists the Nazirite with the prophet as a special kind of holy person (Amos 2:11–12). These regulations also continue the theme of oaths, for both the woman suspected of adultery and the Nazirite make oaths (Num. 5:15–31; 6:2).
Historical and Cultural Background
Nazirite vows in later Jewish tradition may illuminate the nature of Nazirite vows earlier in Israelite history. In mishnaic times Nazirite vows were typically conditional: “If God does [such and such], I will become a Nazirite for [x] period of time.” A person might vow to become a Nazirite “if a son is…