The Meaning of Numbers 6:2 Explained

Numbers 6:2

KJV: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the LORD:

YLT: 'Speak unto the sons of Israel, and thou hast said unto them, When a man or woman doeth singularly, by vowing a vow of a Nazarite, to be separate to Jehovah;

Darby: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If a man or a woman have vowed the special vow of a Nazarite, to consecrate themselves to Jehovah;

ASV: Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself unto Jehovah,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Speak  unto the children  of Israel,  and say  unto them, When either man  or woman  shall separate  [themselves] to vow  a vow  of a Nazarite,  to separate  [themselves] unto the LORD: 

What does Numbers 6:2 Mean?

Study Notes

Nazarite
The Nazarite (more accurately Nazirite, one separated) was a person of either sex separated wholly unto the Lord. Abstention from wine, the symbol of mere natural joy Psalms 104:15 was the expression of a devotedness which found all its joy in the Lord (cf); Psalms 87:7 ; Psalms 97:12 ; Habakkuk 3:18 ; Philippians 3:1 ; Philippians 3:3 ; Philippians 4:4 ; Philippians 4:10 . The long hair, naturally a reproach to man 1 Corinthians 11:14 was at once the visible sign of the Nazarite's separation, and of his willingness to bear reproach for Jehovah's sake. The type found its perfect fulfilment in Jesus, who was "holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners" Hebrews 7:26 who was utterly separated unto the Father; John 1:18 ; John 6:38 who allowed no mere natural claim to hinder or divert Him. Matthew 12:46-50 .

Context Summary

Numbers 6:1-12 - The Vow Of Separation
The law of the Nazarite is full of instruction, because he is a type of the child of God who is separated from evil, that he may be wholly surrendered and given over to the divine service. Three rules were enjoined. Not to touch any product of the vine. If we must have exhilaration and stimulus, let us seek it in the Holy Spirit, not in worldly excitement, Ephesians 5:18-19. Not to cut the hair. The unshorn locks signified the dedication of the natural powers to God's service. Let us beware of Delilah. Many are the razors waiting to deprive us of our crown, Judges 16:19. Not to touch the dead, however dear; teaching that the kingdom of God must supersede all earthly ties.
If our separation breaks down, Numbers 6:9-12, we must seek forgiveness and restoration; but the former days will not count. One sin may mar the power of a whole life of saintly testimony. [source]

Chapter Summary: Numbers 6

1  The law of the Nazarite in the days of his separation
13  And after their completion
22  The form of blessing the people

What do the individual words in Numbers 6:2 mean?

speak to the sons of Israel and say to them a man or woman when either consecrates an offering to take the vow of a Nazirite to separate himself to Yahweh
דַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם אִ֣ישׁ אֽוֹ־ אִשָּׁ֗ה כִּ֤י יַפְלִא֙ לִנְדֹּר֙ נֶ֣דֶר נָזִ֔יר לְהַזִּ֖יר לַֽיהוָֽה

דַּבֵּר֙  speak 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperative, masculine singular
Root: דָּבַר 
Sense: to speak, declare, converse, command, promise, warn, threaten, sing.
בְּנֵ֣י  the  sons 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל  of  Israel 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יִשְׂרָאֵל  
Sense: the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel.
וְאָמַרְתָּ֖  and  say 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אֲלֵהֶ֑ם  to  them 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural
Root: אֶל  
Sense: to, toward, unto (of motion).
אִ֣ישׁ  a  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
אִשָּׁ֗ה  woman 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אִשָּׁה  
Sense: woman, wife, female.
כִּ֤י  when  either 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: כִּי 
Sense: that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since.
יַפְלִא֙  consecrates  an  offering 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: פָּלָא  
Sense: to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action.
לִנְדֹּר֙  to  take  the  vow 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: נָדַר  
Sense: to vow, make a vow.
נָזִ֔יר  a  Nazirite 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: נָזִיר  
Sense: consecrated or devoted one, Nazarite.
לְהַזִּ֖יר  to  separate  himself 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Hifil, Infinitive construct
Root: נָזַר 
Sense: to dedicate, consecrate, separate.
לַֽיהוָֽה  to  Yahweh 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: Jehovah—used primarily in the combination ‘Lord Jehovah’.