And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

NUMBERS 6:20KJV
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Numbers 6:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 6:20 mean?

Numbers 6:20 describes how the priest is to present certain parts of the Nazarite’s offerings—the wave breast and heave shoulder—as a special offering before the LORD, after which the Nazarite is allowed to drink wine again. This marks the completion of the Nazarite vow and the return to normal life.

In this verse, God is giving Moses instructions for the ceremony that ends a Nazarite vow, a special period of dedication. The priest (a descendant of Aaron) performs a ritual with the offerings, waving them before the LORD as a sign of dedication. Only after this ceremony is finished can the Nazarite, who had previously avoided wine, resume drinking it.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 6:20

  • The word for "priest" (כֹּהֵן, kohen) refers specifically to the official who serves in the sanctuary, highlighting that only someone set apart for this role could perform the ritual.
  • "Wave" (נָפַף, naphaf) and "offering" (תְּנוּפָה, tenuphah) together describe a ritual motion where the priest lifts and moves the offering before God, symbolizing presenting it directly to Him.
  • "Holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh) means set apart or dedicated, emphasizing that these portions of the sacrifice are reserved for the priest and not for common use.
  • "Nazarite" (נָזִיר, nazir) identifies the person who had taken a vow of special separation, making clear whose ritual this is and what is changing for them.

Why Numbers 6:20 matters

  • Numbers 6:20 clarifies that the Nazarite’s vow is not permanent; there is a clear process for ending it and returning to ordinary life, including drinking wine again.
  • The verse highlights the role of the priest as a mediator between the people and God, showing that certain rituals required official oversight.
  • This instruction connects to the broader passage by showing the seriousness and structure of vows in Israelite society, and how holiness was maintained through specific, God-given procedures.

Where else these words appear

“breast” Hebrew H2373 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 29:26 And thou shalt take the breast of the ram of Aaron's consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before the LORD: and it shall be thy part.
  • Leviticus 7:31 And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'.
  • Leviticus 9:21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

“Nazarite” Hebrew H5139 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Numbers 6:18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.
  • Judges 13:7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.

“shoulder” Hebrew H7785 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:22 Also thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the rump, and the fat that covereth the inwards, and the caul above the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat that is upon them, and the right shoulder; for it is a ram of consecration:
  • Leviticus 8:26 And out of the basket of unleavened bread, that was before the LORD, he took one unleavened cake, and a cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and put them on the fat, and upon the right shoulder:
  • Judges 15:8 And he smote them hip and thigh with a great slaughter: and he went down and dwelt in the top of the rock Etam.

“offering” Hebrew H8573 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 29:24 And thou shalt put all in the hands of Aaron, and in the hands of his sons; and shalt wave them for a wave offering before the LORD.
  • Leviticus 8:29 And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the LORD: for of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • Leviticus 23:20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before the LORD, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.