help ...the nazirite vow....

Sister Alvear · #1 04-05-2009, 02:19 PM

The vow of a Nazirite.

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,'"

To separate himself to the Lord: The vow of the Nazirite was to express one’s special desire to draw close to God and to separate one’s self from the comforts and pleasures of this world.

“The English word Nazirite transliterates Hebrew nazir, meaning “set apart.” (Wenham)

There were several remarkable Nazirites in the Bible: Samson (Judges 13:5), John the Baptist (Luke 1:15), and Paul (Acts 18:18); the vow was certainly open to women, but we have no Biblical example of a woman taking the vow, except for Maybe (?) Manoah’s wife during her pregnancy with Samson (Judges 13:4).

I was asked today if a woman could take this vow??? Would someone give me a biblical opinion...

I know we could make a joke from the question but the person is serious...I told the person I would ask those that know more than I do about these things...

Hoovie · #2 04-05-2009, 02:47 PM

First of all I would seriously inquire; Why does she wish to do this?

We are complete in Christ. After the transitional era of the New Covenant we don't find Christians making these vows. Rather, it seems much more appropriate to preach our completeness in Christ.

Sister Alvear · #3 04-05-2009, 03:34 PM

she does not wish to do it I think she wanted more or less to know why would any woman ever take this vow and was it just for men or were women included...

U376977 · #4 04-05-2009, 03:37 PM

IMO the vow is not for today, man or woman. I'm not sure, but I think one of the stipulations of the vow was to not have sexual relations with a woman during the time of the vow. Something that would not apply to a woman of God!
In any case, your friend can make any dedication, or consecration without it being this vow. There are no Nazirites today...only Christian (Christ-like) people. I think we have a higher standard to try to live up to (Christ) not a Nazirite. Just my opinion.

TK Burk · #5 04-05-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

she does not wish to do it I think she wanted more or less to know why would any woman ever take this vow and was it just for men or were women included...

The meaning of the Nazirite (Nazarite) oath has created varying opinions and theories. The stipulations of this vow are found in Numbers 6. There it’s explained that both Men and Women could be a Nazirite so long as they separated themselves from wine, dead bodies, haircuts, and products from the vine. At the end of the man’s oath, he would shave his head and offer an animal sacrifice. Afterward he would go back to his normal diet, life, and haircuts. The Bible does not mention anyone keeping the Nazirite oath fully. Also, nowhere does it mention a woman ever keeping any aspect of the Nazirite oath.

God placed the Nazirite oath and its stipulations in His Word. But growing long uncut hair, not drinking or eating grape products, and not touching a dead body do not guarantee a man is truly separated unto God. Those who did take a Nazirite oath were called to walk separated from this world and unto God. Jesus calls men and women today to also walk a life of separation.

Being separate for separation sake is never God’s will. He has always called men and women to separate themselves so as to allow them opportunity to mature in Him. Today Jesus calls His Church to live a life of separation. Such separation does not require a communes or monasteries. Instead it is done through dying to the flesh and living in the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Such a life of holiness thereby allows opportunity for a man and woman to mature into Christlikeness.

pelathais · #6 04-05-2009, 04:52 PM

Josephus describes Agrippa's sister Berenice as being in Jerusalem at the time of the Jewish uprising in 70 AD, precisely on account of the Nazarite vow. Josephus mentions another woman, Helena who vowed that she would become a Nazarite for seven years in return for the safe return of her son from war.

From the Jewish Encylopedia:

"Queen Helena was a Nazarite for fourteen (or twenty-one) years (Naz. iii. 6; see Jew. Encyc. vi. 334, s.v. Helena), and Agrippa's sister Berenice was at Jerusalem on account of a Nazarite vow taken before the outbreak of the great war against the Romans (Josephus, "B. J." ii. 15, § 1)."

The Nazarite Court where Paul shaved his head in Acts 18, was also a part of the Women's Court. http://www.bible-history.com/court-o...ite_court.html

*AQuietPlace* · #7 04-05-2009, 05:39 PM

It certainly seems that way to me:

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,'"

TK Burk · #8 04-05-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

It certainly seems that way to me:

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When either a man or woman consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the Lord,'"

...and yet the Bible never describes anyone keeping the entirety of the Nazirite Oath. “Types and Shadows” always have their failings....

*AQuietPlace* · #9 04-05-2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK Burk

...and yet the Bible never describes anyone keeping the entirety of the Nazirite Oath. “Types and Shadows” always have their failings....

I'm not sure what you mean. Do you think women didn't take it?

MissBrattified · #10 04-05-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U376977

IMO the vow is not for today, man or woman. I'm not sure, but I think one of the stipulations of the vow was to not have sexual relations with a woman during the time of the vow. Something that would not apply to a woman of God!
In any case, your friend can make any dedication, or consecration without it being this vow. There are no Nazirites today...only Christian (Christ-like) people. I think we have a higher standard to try to live up to (Christ) not a Nazirite. Just my opinion.

The vow could be taken by a man or woman.

Num 6:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
Num 6:2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:

I don't know about taking the vow today--at least, with the same stipulations, but the NT does mention husbands and wives being separate from one another (with consent), for a time of fasting and prayer. I think it's the same principle at work.