King James Version

What Does Numbers 6:18 Mean?

Numbers 6:18 in the King James Version says “And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall tak...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 6:18 · KJV

Peace

Context

16

And the priest shall bring them before the LORD, and shall offer his sin offering, and his burnt offering:

17

And he shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, with the basket of unleavened bread: the priest shall offer also his meat offering, and his drink offering.

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.

19

And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven:

20

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.

Read Numbers 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Nazirite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle, and take the hair and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace offerings. The vow's completion involved cutting the hair grown during consecration and burning it with the peace offering. This marked transition from special consecration back to ordinary life. The hair, symbol of the vow, was offered to God—even the physical symbol of consecration belonged to Him. The peace offering context emphasized restored fellowship as the vow concluded. This demonstrates that even temporary special consecrations honor God and require proper completion. The ritual's carefulness teaches that vows to God are serious commitments requiring faithful fulfillment. Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 warns: 'When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it... Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Nazirite vow's conclusion required elaborate sacrifices (Numbers 6:13-20): sin offering, burnt offering, peace offering, and accompanying grain and drink offerings. The shaving occurred at the tabernacle entrance, emphasizing public nature of the vow's completion. Burning the hair with the peace offering symbolically returned the consecration period to God. Ancient Near Eastern votive practices sometimes involved hair offerings, but Israel's practice had unique covenantal significance. Acts 18:18 and 21:23-24 describe Paul's involvement with Nazirite vows, showing the practice continued in the New Testament period. Rabbinic tradition specified detailed procedures for vow completion. The emphasis on proper vow fulfillment appears throughout Scripture—Jonah 2:9 declares 'I will pay that that I have vowed.' Modern application focuses on keeping commitments to God rather than replicating specific Nazirite rituals.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the ceremony marking the Nazirite vow's completion teach about the seriousness of commitments made to God?
  2. How can we apply the principle of faithful vow-keeping in our Christian lives today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְגִלַּ֣ח1 of 20

“shall shave”

H1548

properly, to be bald, i.e., (causatively) to shave; figuratively to lay waste

הַנָּזִ֗יר2 of 20

“And the Nazarite”

H5139

separate, i.e., consecrated (as prince, a nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn nazirite)

פֶּ֛תַח3 of 20

“at the door”

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

אֹ֥הֶל4 of 20

“of the tabernacle”

H168

a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)

מוֹעֵ֖ד5 of 20

“of the congregation”

H4150

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

אֶת6 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רֹ֣אשׁ7 of 20

“of the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

נִזְר֔וֹ8 of 20

“of his separation”

H5145

properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl

וְלָקַ֗ח9 of 20

“and shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת10 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׂעַר֙11 of 20

“the hair”

H8181

hair (as if tossed or bristling)

רֹ֣אשׁ12 of 20

“of the head”

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

נִזְר֔וֹ13 of 20

“of his separation”

H5145

properly, something set apart, i.e., (abstractly) dedication (of a priet or nazirite); hence (concretely) unshorn locks; also (by implication) a chapl

וְנָתַן֙14 of 20

“and put”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

עַל15 of 20
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאֵ֔שׁ16 of 20

“it in the fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

אֲשֶׁר17 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תַּ֖חַת18 of 20
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

זֶ֥בַח19 of 20

“which is under the sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הַשְּׁלָמִֽים׃20 of 20

“of the peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 6:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 6:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 21:24Numbers 6:9Acts 18:18Acts 21:26Ephesians 1:6Numbers 6:5

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