History – Judges 12 – 16

A nazirite or nazarite, (in Hebrew: ????, nazir), refers to a Jew who took the ascetic vow described in Numbers 6:1-21. The term “nazirite” comes from the Hebrew word nazir meaning “consecrated” or “separated”.^[1] This vow required the man or woman to:

• Abstain from wine, wine vinegar, grapes, raisins, and according to some — alcohol^[2] and vinegar from alcohol
• Refrain from cutting the hair on one’s head
• Avoid corpses and graves, even those of family members, and any structure which contains such

After following these requirements for a designated period of time (which would be specified in the individual’s vow, and not to be less than 30 days), the person would immerse in a Mikvah and make three offerings, a lamb as a burnt offering (olah), an ewe as a sin-offering (hatat), and a ram as a peace offering (shelamim), in addition to a basket of unleavened bread, grain offerings and drink offerings, which accompanied the peace offering.

In short, a Nazirite is one who took the vow of consecration.

To be holy to the Lord and abstain from wine, alcohol, cutting hair, avoiding corpses.

A Nazirite does not cut his hair, and his hair will be long during this period of consecration to the Lord.

This makes it rather visible to others that this person has took the vow of a Nazirite. Also according to Wikipedia, there are different kind of Nazirite and Samson is one that is allowed to go near corpses…well..he killed many Phillistines through God’s help.

The interesting thing is that as a Nazirite one must be separated from the worldly affairs and be devoted to the Lord. Paul once took the Nazirite vow.

In spiritual sense, one is like a Nazirite if he devotes his time and effort, spiritual cultivate himself and separate himself from worldy things. Perhaps it can be liken like during short term theolo or during Spiritual Meetings in church, that as believers we are like taking the Nazirite vow in a sense.

I find that if I were to take the Nazirite vow in a sense, like before the Spiritual Meeting, to prepare my heart and to focus on God, the Spiritual Meeting will be more spiritually fulfilling. Sadly, due to work, these years, I have not really prepared or separated myself to the Lord before the Spiritual Meeting and it is something I have to remember and strive for.

Samson was on the other hand born a Nazirite. He is supposed to be ‘different’ than other people. One who is to obey God’s commandment and to be a leader to the Israelites not only to be victorious in combat but to be a role model for the Israelites.

Unfortunately, his behaviour is really unlike that of a Nazirite. He womanizers and worst still find women of other nations. He did things that were not morally right and was rather arrogant of his strength which actually came from God.

However, God still allowed him to be the judge of Israel and a judge for 20 long years.

In the end he fell because of his arrogance and womanizing.

I think perhaps for church leaders today, the leaders ought to always reflect on their behaviour and to always remain humble else they may fall from grace. Sometimes, like in Samson’s case, God’s mercy on him allowed him to be the leader of Israel for 20 years not because he is a good guy but it is purely God’s grace.

In the end, Samson died a horrible death having his eyes plucked out by his enemies. A hero that became a spectacle to others. I guess this story can be a reminder.