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Shared Word Translation

Numbers 6

The Blessing of the LORD

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: Thus you shall bless the Israelites; you shall say to them:

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make the LORD’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up the LORD’s face toward you and give you peace.

So they shall put my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Study help

Notes

Translation notes for Numbers 6.

v02

a special vow—the vow of a Nazirite — The Nazirite vow is voluntary and time-bound. It marks an intentional season of heightened dedication rather than a permanent status.

v02

to set themselves apart — The language emphasizes separation for God, not withdrawal from community for its own sake.

v03

abstain from wine and strong drink — Wine represents ordinary joy and social participation. Abstinence signals restraint, not rejection of goodness.

v03

wine vinegar… grape juice — The prohibition extends beyond intoxication to the entire grape product, underscoring total commitment rather than moderation.

v04

from the seeds to the skin — The phrase emphasizes completeness. Nothing associated with the vine is permitted during the vow.

v05

no razor shall pass over their head — Uncut hair becomes a visible sign of consecration, marking time and devotion rather than personal appearance.

v05

they shall be holy — Holiness here is vocational and temporary, defined by the vow rather than moral superiority.

v06

not go near a dead body — Contact with death interrupts ritual separation. The vow prioritizes life-oriented devotion during its duration.

v07

even for father or mother — Family obligation is subordinated to the vow, highlighting the seriousness of the commitment.

v07

because the separation to God is upon their head — The head symbolizes identity and purpose; the vow shapes the whole person.

v08

all the days of their separation — Holiness is framed as sustained faithfulness over time, not a single act.

v09

suddenly someone dies beside them — The text anticipates disruption, acknowledging that vows exist within fragile human circumstances.

v09

the head of their separation has been defiled — The disruption is ritual, not moral. The vow is interrupted, not condemned.

v10

two turtledoves or two young pigeons — The permitted offering mirrors provisions for those of modest means, emphasizing accessibility rather than burden.

v11

because the separation was defiled by the dead body — The language maintains ritual clarity without assigning blame.

v12

they shall set apart themselves again — The vow may be renewed. Failure or interruption does not prevent restoration.

v13

this is the law for the Nazirite — The instructions are formalized, grounding personal devotion within communal order.

v15

grain offerings and drink offerings — Worship is communal and embodied, involving multiple forms of giving.

v18

shave the head of their separation — The visible sign of devotion is released, marking completion rather than loss.

v18

put the hair on the fire — The offering returns what marked the vow back to God, closing the consecrated time.

v19

the priest shall take the boiled shoulder — The ritual includes shared participation between priest and Nazirite.

v20

the Nazirite may drink wine — Ordinary life resumes. The vow ends without diminishing what came before.

v21

this is the law for the Nazirite vow — The repetition emphasizes clarity and accountability rather than flexibility.

v22–23

The blessing is introduced as the LORD’s own command to Moses for Aaron and his sons. Priestly speech mediates a blessing whose source remains God.

v23

Speak to Aaron and his sons — Blessing is entrusted to human voices, carried within communal leadership.

v24–26

The three lines repeat the divine name and move through keeping, gracious presence, favorable attention, and peace. “Lift up the face” is an idiom of favorable regard, while “peace” (shalom) carries the wider sense of wholeness and well-being.

v27

they shall put my name on the Israelites — God’s name signifies belonging and identity, not control.

v27

and I will bless them — The final word is divine action. Blessing originates with God, not ritual performance.

Study help

Vocabulary

Selected source-language vocabulary for Numbers 6.

v02

נָזִיר (nāzîr)

Nazirite; one set apart by vow for a defined period, marked by intentional dedication rather than permanent status.

v02

נֶדֶר (neder)

vow; a binding promise voluntarily undertaken, emphasizing commitment over impulse.

v02

הִפְלִא (hiflîʾ)

to make special or extraordinary; highlights intentional distinction rather than mere difference.

v02

לְהַזִּיר (lehazzîr)

to set apart or consecrate; separation directed toward God, not withdrawal from community.

v03

יַיִן (yayin)

wine; a symbol of joy, celebration, and ordinary social life.

v03

שֵׁכָר (šēkār)

strong drink; fermented beverage associated with festivity and abundance.

v03

חֹמֶץ (ḥōmeṣ)

vinegar; wine byproduct, extending the prohibition beyond intoxication.

v03

מִשְׁרַת עֲנָבִים (mišrat ʿănābîm)

grape juice or infusion; reinforces total abstention from the vine.

v04

גֶּפֶן (gefen)

grapevine; source of wine and fruit, representing cultivated pleasure.

v05

תַּעַר (taʿar)

razor; its absence marks visible consecration through uncut hair.

v05

פֶּרַע (peraʿ)

untrimmed growth; symbolizes openness, time, and surrendered control.

v05

קָדֹשׁ (qādōš)

holy; set apart for a specific purpose rather than moral superiority.

v06

נֶפֶשׁ מֵת (nefeš mēt)

dead body; contact with death interrupts ritual separation.

v07

טָמֵא (ṭāmēʾ)

unclean; ritual status, not ethical failure.

v07

נֵזֶר (nēzer)

consecration or crown; a visible marker of dedication resting upon the person.

v08

יְמֵי נִזְרוֹ (yĕmê nizrô)

days of separation; holiness defined by sustained faithfulness over time.

v09

פִּתְאֹם (pitʾōm)

suddenly; acknowledges disruption and fragility within vowed life.

v09

חִלֵּל (ḥillēl)

to profane or defile; interruption of ritual status without moral accusation.

v10

תֹּר (tōr)

turtledove; an accessible sacrificial bird.

v10

בֶּן־יוֹנָה (ben-yônāh)

“Young pigeon; permitted offering for those of modest means.”

v11

כִּפֶּר (kipper)

to make atonement; ritual restoration rather than personal guilt.

v12

יָמִים הָרִאשֹׁנִים (yāmîm hāriʾšōnîm)

former days; time counted as interrupted rather than wasted.

v13

תּוֹרָה (tōrāh)

instruction or law; guidance shaping lived faithfulness.

v14

עֹלָה (ʿōlāh)

burnt offering; complete surrender to God.

v14

חַטָּאת (ḥaṭṭāʾt)

purification offering; addresses ritual disruption rather than moral wrongdoing.

v14

שֶׁלֶם (šelem)

offering of well-being; expresses restored relationship and communal wholeness.

v15

מִנְחָה (minḥāh)

grain offering; gift acknowledging provision and dependence.

v18

גִּלַּח (gillaḥ)

to shave; marks the formal conclusion of consecration.

v18

רֹאשׁ נִזְרוֹ (rōʾš nizrô)

head of separation; the embodied site of the vow.

v19

זְרוֹעַ (zerōaʿ)

shoulder; portion shared in ritual participation.

v20

נוּף (nûp̄)

to wave; gesture of offering and presentation before God.

v20

אַחַר (ʾaḥar)

afterward; signals reintegration into ordinary life.

v22

בָּרַךְ (bārak)

to bless; to confer life, protection, and favor.

v24

שָׁמַר (šāmar)

to keep or guard; protective attentiveness rather than restriction.

v25

אוֹר (ʾôr)

light; symbol of presence, favor, and life.

v25

חָנַן (ḥānan)

to be gracious; unearned kindness flowing from relationship.

v26

שָׁלוֹם (šālôm)

peace; wholeness, stability, and restored order.

v27

שֵׁם (šēm)

name; identity, belonging, and claimed relationship.

v27

שִׂים (śîm)

to place or set; intentional bestowal rather than possession.