And he shall consecrate unto the LORD the days of his separation, and shall bring a lamb of the first year for a trespass offering: but the days that were before shall be lost, because his separation was defiled.

NUMBERS 6:12KJV
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Numbers 6:12 (KJV)

What does Numbers 6:12 mean?

Numbers 6:12 explains that if someone’s period of dedication as a Nazirite is interrupted by becoming ritually unclean, they must start over: the previous days do not count, and they must bring a young lamb as a guilt offering to the LORD. The days before the defilement are considered lost because their special separation was broken.

This verse is part of instructions given by God to Moses for the Israelites about the Nazirite vow—a special commitment to God involving abstaining from certain things. If a Nazirite accidentally becomes unclean, the person must “consecrate” (set apart) the days of their vow again and offer a specific sacrifice, showing how seriously this vow was taken and how purity was essential for its fulfillment.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 6:12

  • “Consecrate” (נָזַר, nazar): This word means to dedicate or set apart, highlighting that the Nazirite must begin their special commitment anew, not just continue from where they left off.
  • “Separation” (נֵזֶר, nezer): This term refers to the unique, holy status of the Nazirite vow, emphasizing that it is a distinct and sacred period.
  • “Lost” (נָפַל, naphal): The word here means to fall or be forfeited, showing that the previous days are not just paused but completely invalidated by the defilement.
  • “Defiled” (טָמֵא, tame): This word means to become unclean, underlining that ritual impurity, even if accidental, breaks the Nazirite’s special status.

Why Numbers 6:12 matters

  • Numbers 6:12 clarifies that the Nazirite vow is an all-or-nothing commitment; any break in ritual purity means starting over, not picking up where one left off.
  • The verse highlights the seriousness and sacredness of vows made to God in ancient Israel, showing that intentions alone were not enough—actions and ritual purity mattered.
  • This instruction fits into the larger passage about the Nazirite vow, helping readers understand the practical steps required if the vow was accidentally broken, and why sacrifices were necessary in such cases.

Where else these words appear

“consecrate” Hebrew H5144 · used in 10 verses

  • Leviticus 15:31 Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.
  • Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.
  • Ezekiel 14:7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

“separation” Hebrew H5145 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 29:6 And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.
  • Numbers 6:8 All the days of his separation he is holy unto the LORD.
  • 2 Kings 11:12 And he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the king.

“offering” Hebrew H817 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 26:10 And Abimelech said, What is this thou hast done unto us? one of the people might lightly have lien with thy wife, and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon us.
  • Leviticus 7:37 This is the law of the burnt offering, of the meat offering, and of the sin offering, and of the trespass offering, and of the consecrations, and of the sacrifice of the peace offerings;
  • Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

“lamb” Hebrew H3532 · used in 100 verses

  • Exodus 12:5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
  • Numbers 7:57 One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:
  • Numbers 29:18 And their meat offering and their drink offerings for the bullocks, for the rams, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the manner: