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.

NUMBERS 6:3KJV
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Numbers 6:3 (KJV)

What does Numbers 6:3 mean?

Numbers 6:3 says that a person taking a Nazirite vow must avoid all products of the grapevine, including wine, strong drink, vinegar made from wine or strong drink, grape juice, fresh grapes, and dried grapes (like raisins). This is a strict rule meant to set the Nazirite apart in a visible and practical way during the time of their vow.

In the book of Numbers, God is giving Moses instructions for the Israelites about the Nazirite vow, a special commitment someone could make to dedicate themselves to God for a period of time. This verse spells out the specific things Nazirites must avoid, showing that the separation is not just from alcohol but from anything related to grapes, highlighting the seriousness and distinctiveness of this vow.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 6:3

  • The word "separate" (נָזַר, nazar) means to dedicate or set apart, which is where the term "Nazirite" comes from. This word emphasizes the idea of being distinct or consecrated for a special purpose.
  • "Wine" (יַיִן, yayin) refers to fermented grape drink, the common alcoholic beverage of the time. The instruction to avoid it is clear and direct.
  • "Strong drink" (שֵׁכָר, shekar) often means other alcoholic drinks, possibly made from grains or dates, not just grapes. Its inclusion shows the vow covers all intoxicating beverages.
  • "Liquor of grapes" (מִשְׁרַת עֲנָבִים, mishrat anavim) means juice or liquid extracted from grapes, even before fermentation. This shows the restriction is not just about avoiding drunkenness but about total separation from grape products.

Why Numbers 6:3 matters

  • Numbers 6:3 makes it clear that the Nazirite vow involves more than just avoiding drunkenness; it is about complete separation from all grape products, which would have been a noticeable and unusual lifestyle in ancient Israel.
  • The verse helps clarify that the Nazirite vow is voluntary and goes beyond normal religious requirements, marking out those who take it as especially dedicated.
  • By listing both fresh and dried grapes, as well as all forms of grape-based drinks, the verse prevents loopholes and emphasizes the seriousness of keeping the vow exactly as described.

Where else these words appear

“vinegar” Hebrew H2558 · used in 5 verses

  • Ruth 2:14 And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.
  • Psalms 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
  • Proverbs 10:26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.

“moist” Hebrew H3892 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 30:37 And Jacob took him rods of green poplar, and of the hazel and chesnut tree; and pilled white strakes in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods.
  • Judges 16:7 And Samson said unto her, If they bind me with seven green withs that were never dried, then shall I be weak, and be as another man.
  • Ezekiel 17:24 And all the trees of the field shall know that I the LORD have brought down the high tree, have exalted the low tree, have dried up the green tree, and have made the dry tree to flourish: I the LORD have spoken and have done it.

“dried” Hebrew H3002 · used in 9 verses

  • Numbers 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.
  • Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
  • Ezekiel 37:2 And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.

“separate” 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 6:5 All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no razor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth himself unto the LORD, he shall be holy, and shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.
  • 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: