נָזִיר
separate, i.e. consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unsho…
Definition
The Hebrew noun נָזִיר (nazir) primarily means 'one who is consecrated' or 'set apart' for a special vow to God. Its most famous usage describes the Nazirite, a person who took a temporary vow of separation involving abstinence from wine, avoidance of haircuts, and ritual purity (Numbers 6:1-21). In a distinct agricultural sense, the word describes a vine that is 'unpruned' or 'undressed' (Leviticus 25:5, 11), a metaphorical extension of the concept of being left untouched or in a natural state. In a poetic blessing, it is used figuratively for someone set apart as preeminent or princely (Genesis 49:26; Deuteronomy 33:16).
Biblical Usage
The word is used 16 times in the Old Testament, primarily in legal and narrative contexts. Its core legal usage is in Numbers 6, which details the laws of the Nazirite vow. The agricultural sense appears only in the Holiness Code of Leviticus 25 regarding the Sabbath and Jubilee years. The figurative, princely sense is found in the patriarchal blessings of Genesis 49:26 and Deuteronomy 33:16. The term is concentrated in the Torah (Pentateuch), with no occurrences in the Prophets or Writings outside these two poetic blessings.
Etymology
Derived from the root verb נָזַר (nazar, H5144), meaning 'to dedicate,' 'to consecrate,' or 'to separate.' The noun form נָזִיר essentially means 'the consecrated one' or 'the separated one.' This root conveys the core idea of setting something apart for a sacred purpose, which directly informs both the religious vow and the agricultural metaphor of something left untouched.
Semantic Range
The Nazirite represents a voluntary path to holiness and dedication to God outside the priestly lineage, emphasizing personal commitment and God's accessibility. Key figures like Samson (Judges 13:5), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), and possibly John the Baptist (Luke 1:15) are connected to this vow, showing its role in God's redemptive history. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of the New Testament, where Jesus is sometimes mistakenly called a 'Nazarene' (from Nazareth), a wordplay distinct from the 'Nazirite' vow of consecration.
In ancient Israel, the Nazirite vow was a serious religious commitment, typically temporary, that marked an individual as holy to the Lord. It involved visible, physical signs (uncut hair, abstention from wine) that set the person apart socially and ritually. The agricultural usage reflects the practice of letting vineyards rest during the Sabbath year, trusting God for provision. The modern concept of a 'monk' or 'ascetic' is a rough parallel, but the Nazirite vow was more a temporary act of intense devotion within the community.
קָדוֹשׁ (qadosh, H6918) — Means 'holy' or 'set apart,' a broader term for sacredness applied to God, places, times, and people, whereas נָזִיר is a specific type of consecrated person. פָּרַשׁ (parash, H6565) — A verb meaning 'to separate' or 'to make distinct,' often in a physical or ritual sense, but not specifically for a vow.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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