After that he may drink wine

The Nazarite vow is often mentioned as an example for abstinence today, because of its restriction of drinking wine and strong drink. The entire context of the Nazarite is a separation while under his vow from things that were otherwise allowable. In addition to wine and strong drink, the Nazarite was prohibited from grapes, raisins, grape juice (“liquor of the grape”, KJV), grape vinegar – in fact any product of the grapevine (“nothing that is made of the vine tree”, KJV). Separation from “all things grape” was not the only restriction, however. The Nazarite must not cut his hair but rather allow his locks to grow. He also could not touch a dead body, even an immediate member of his family. (Under the law even a priest could become unclean for the death of an immediate family member.) The Nazarite would fulfill the number of days of his vow (apparently determined by the one making the vow), make the proper offerings, “and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.” Here “may drink wine” is a figure of speech, a synecdoche in which “wine” stands for being released from the entire vow. Being released, they may drink wine, strong drink and the liquor of grapes; eat grapes, raisins, and other products of the grapevine. Restrictions concerning hair and dead bodies default to the regular customs prior the vow.

That the Nazarite was commanded to abstain from the consumption of wine and strong drink while under his vow shows that he normally drank (or could drink) these products. After the vow is completed the Nazarite “may drink wine.” This is clear to the casual observer (and the not so casual!). It allows for the use of wine as a beverage. The Nazarite vow is devastating to the case for prohibition, unless one can prove that wine and strong drink do not here stand for a fermented beverage of the vine tree. Interestingly, in his exhaustive work on wine in the Old Testament, Robert Teachout tries to blunt the effect of this by translating wine (yayin) as “grape juice” in Numbers 6:20: “and afterward the Nazirite may drink grape juice.” Unless the release is only to “drink grape juice” the effort is nullified. The statement represents the fulfillment of the vow and return to normalcy. Teachout translates “wine and strong drink” (yayin and shekar) as “intoxicating wine” in verse 3. Is the Nazarite only released to drink grape juice, while remaining under all the other restrictions of the vow, or does Numbers 6:20 mean the Nazarite is released from the restrictions of the entire vow after its duration ends and offerings are made? The answer is obvious, and should give pause to the abstentionist and prohibitionist.

The Nazarite Vow

Similarities between Nazarites and priests (cf. esp. Numbers 6 and Leviticus 21) 

Nazarite	Similarity	Priest
Num. 6:2	Separated unto God	Lev. 22:2, Num. 8:14, Deut. 10:8
Num. 6:3-4	Restrictions on their drink	Lev. 10:9
Num. 6:5	Restrictions on their head	Lev. 10:6, 21:5,10
Num. 6:6-9	Restrictions on their touch	Lev. 21:1-4, 11
Num. 6:8	Holy unto the Lord	Lev. 21:6

These similarities gave me these thoughts – not exegesis of scripture, but meditations. The first thought that came to me was priesthood of believers. The priesthood of believers as we know it is a New Testament revelation, as First Peter 2:9 and other passages. Obviously the Nazarites were not priests, but persons under a vow to the Lord. But in their vow and separation they had a little taste of the priestly separation to the Lord. Perhaps that foreshadows a priesthood of all believers?

The Nazarite separated from all products of the grapevine, whereas the priests separated only from wine and strong drink while serving as priests. But both would experience the separation from wine and strong drink. The separation of the Nazarite has strong connections to the previous nomadic lifestyle of their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as well as their wandering in the wilderness (note Jer. 35 for another connection of the nomadic lifestyle and abstinence from wine). The wandering in the wilderness calls to mind the sustaining power of God when He provided for them through those years though they had “not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink.” (Deut. 29:6) Israel’s existence and prosperity was intimately associated with the grapevine, where every man would dwell “under his vine and under his fig tree” (cf. Micah 4:4 and I Kings 4:25). It was “a land of corn and wine, a land of bread and vineyards” (II Kings 18:32). Figuratively the Nazarite gave up his identity, existence and sustenance to God. Projecting forward we might see that New Testament identity, existence and sustenance in our behavior under the power of the Holy Spirit: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18).

For the period of his vow and separation, the Nazarite could put no razor to the hair of his head, but rather had to allow it to grow. This separated him from the public norm, long hair on women and cut hair on men. The priest did not bear the same restriction as the Nazarite, but had some restrictions regarding his hair and bread. The high priest was to cover his head (Lev. 21:10). The lack of attention to the hair (and especially the beard) could be a sign of trouble or affliction (II Sam. 19:24). The Nazarite bore the reproach of God, as he separated himself from customary grooming. If “a man have long hair” and “it is a shame unto him” (I Cor. 11:14), then there is a sense of bearing shame. May we likewise “go forth” bearing our Lord’s reproach.

Both the priests and the Nazarites were restricted in touching the dead. Touching the dead resulted in ceremonial uncleanness. The priests in service could only become unclean for their very closely kin (father, mother, etc.). The high priest could not at all, neither could the Nazarite during the time of the separation of his vow. This reminds us of putting God first – above father, mother, sister, brother – letting the dead bury the dead and taking up our cross and following Him.

Praise God, our high priest Jesus Christ has touched the dead and made us spiritually alive!

Both the priest and the Nazarite was separated unto God. They were called unto holiness. As spiritual “Nazarites” and a priesthood of believers, let us “come out from among them” and be separate. Let us not touch the unclean thing. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. (Lev. 20:7).

But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy... I Peter 1:15