King James Version

What Does Numbers 6:19 Mean?

Numbers 6:19 in the King James Version says “And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Numbers 6:19 · KJV

Context

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.

21

This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the LORD for his separation, beside that that his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation.

Read Numbers 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The priest taking the boiled shoulder of the ram, along with unleavened cakes and wafers, and placing them upon the Nazirite's hands before waving them demonstrates partnership in the offering. The Nazirite didn't merely watch the priest offer; he participated by holding the offering during the wave. This teaches that worship involves active participation, not passive observation. The shoulder represents strength and service, fitting for one who has demonstrated commitment through the Nazirite vow.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The wave offering involved horizontal movement before the Lord, symbolizing presentation for divine acceptance. The shoulder was typically the priest's portion, but in this ritual, the Nazirite held it along with the bread before it was waved and then given to the priest, showing partnership in holy things.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Nazirite's active participation in the wave offering teach about engaged worship?
  2. How does the shoulder representing strength connect to the strength required for faithful devotion?
  3. In what ways does partnership with the priest in offering prefigure our union with Christ our High Priest?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְלָקַ֨ח1 of 23

“shall take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

הַכֹּהֵ֜ן2 of 23

“And the priest”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֶת3 of 23
H853

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

הַזְּרֹ֣עַ4 of 23

“shoulder”

H2220

the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force

בְּשֵׁלָה֮5 of 23

“the sodden”

H1311

boiled

מִן6 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָאַיִל֒7 of 23

“of the ram”

H352

properly, strength; hence, anything strong; specifically an oak or other strong tree

וְֽחַלַּ֨ת8 of 23

“cake”

H2471

a cake (as usually punctured)

מַצָּ֖ה9 of 23

“unleavened”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

אֶחָ֑ד10 of 23

“and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מִן11 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַסַּ֔ל12 of 23

“out of the basket”

H5536

properly, a willow twig (as pendulous), i.e., an osier; but only as woven into a basket

וּרְקִ֥יק13 of 23

“wafer”

H7550

a thin cake

מַצָּ֖ה14 of 23

“unleavened”

H4682

properly, sweetness; concretely, sweet (i.e., not soured or bittered with yeast); specifically, an unfermented cake or loaf, or (elliptically) the fes

אֶחָ֑ד15 of 23

“and one”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וְנָתַן֙16 of 23

“and shall put”

H5414

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

עַל17 of 23
H5921

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

כַּפֵּ֣י18 of 23

“them upon the hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

הַנָּזִ֔יר19 of 23

“of the Nazarite”

H5139

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

אַחַ֖ר20 of 23

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

הִֽתְגַּלְּח֥וֹ21 of 23

“is shaven”

H1548

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

אֶת22 of 23
H853

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

נִזְרֽוֹ׃23 of 23

“the hair 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

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 6:19 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 6:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 2:15Leviticus 7:30Leviticus 8:31Exodus 29:23-28Leviticus 8:27

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