Numbers 6:13

KJV

And this [is] the law of the Nazarite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:

KJV (with Strong's)

And this is the law {H8451} of the Nazarite {H5139}, when {H3117} the days {H3117} of his separation {H5145} are fulfilled {H4390}: he shall be brought {H935} unto the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"'This is the law for the nazir when his period of consecration is over: he is to be brought to the entrance of the tent of meeting,

Berean Standard Bible

Now this is the law of the Nazirite when his time of separation is complete: He must be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting,

American Standard Version

And this is the law of the Nazirite, when the days of his separation are fulfilled: he shall be brought unto the door of the tent of meeting:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 6:13 marks the crucial culmination of the Nazarite vow, detailing the required procedure for its completion. This verse specifies that upon the fulfillment of their designated period of separation, the Nazarite must be brought to the entrance of the Tabernacle of the Congregation, signifying a public presentation and the initiation of the necessary rituals to conclude their sacred commitment to the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 6:13 is situated within the broader legislation concerning the Nazarite vow, which begins in [Numbers 6:1](/numbers/6-1 "Numbers 6:1 - Introduction to the Nazarite Vow"). The preceding verses (6:1-12) meticulously outline the requirements and prohibitions for individuals undertaking this voluntary vow of special dedication to the Lord. These include abstaining from wine and strong drink, refraining from cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with any dead body. Verse 13 serves as a pivotal transition, shifting from the rules governing the period of separation to the specific protocol for its completion. It sets the stage for the detailed instructions regarding the offerings and rituals that follow in [Numbers 6:14-21](/numbers/6-14 "Numbers 6:14-21 - Offerings for the Nazarite's Completion"), ensuring a proper and ritually pure conclusion to the consecrated period.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the Nazarite vow provided a unique pathway for any man or woman to voluntarily consecrate themselves to God for a set period, distinct from the hereditary priesthood. This act of devotion, while temporary, involved significant personal discipline and separation from common practices, underscoring the Israelite value of holiness and dedication to Yahweh. The "door of the tabernacle of the congregation" (also known as the [Tent of Meeting](/exodus/33-7 "Exodus 33:7 - The Tent of Meeting")) was the central place of worship, where God's presence dwelt among His people and where all major cultic rituals were performed. Bringing the Nazarite to this specific location for the conclusion of their vow emphasized the public and communal nature of their commitment, acknowledging that their private dedication was ultimately directed towards the God of Israel and required formal, ritualistic closure within the community's sacred space. This public presentation ensured ritual purity and the proper fulfillment of a vow made to God, a concept deeply ingrained in Israelite covenantal understanding, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - The Importance of Fulfilling Vows").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nazarite (Hebrew, _nazir'_):** Derived from the root נזר (nazar), meaning "to separate," "to consecrate," or "to dedicate." A Nazarite was literally a "separated one" or "consecrated one," indicating a person set apart for a specific, temporary period of heightened holiness and devotion to the Lord. This term emphasizes the core nature of the vow as a deliberate act of distinction from the ordinary.
* **separation (Hebrew, _nezer'_):** While related to _nazir_, this noun specifically refers to the state or period of consecration itself, often carrying connotations of a "crown" or "diadem" (as in a king's crown), symbolizing the sacredness and distinction of the dedicated person. The "days of his separation" denote the specific duration of this set-apart period, highlighting its defined beginning and end.
* **tabernacle of the congregation (Hebrew, _ohel mo'ed'_):** Literally "tent of meeting" or "tent of appointed time." This term refers to the portable sanctuary where God met with His people, where His glory resided, and where the Levitical priests performed their duties. The "door" signifies the threshold of divine presence and the entry point for all cultic activity, emphasizing the sacred space where the Nazarite's vow was formally concluded before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this [is] the law of the Nazarite":** This introductory phrase signals a shift in the legal instructions concerning the Nazarite vow. Having detailed the regulations during the period of separation, the text now transitions to the specific statutes governing its conclusion. It underscores the divine authority and prescriptive nature of these instructions, emphasizing that the termination of the vow is as much a matter of divine law as its initiation.
* **"when the days of his separation are fulfilled":** This clause highlights the completion of the designated period of consecration. The vow was not open-ended but had a specific duration chosen by the individual. The "fulfillment" signifies faithfulness to the commitment made, bringing the Nazarite's journey of intensified devotion to its intended conclusion. It implies a sense of accomplishment and adherence to the terms of their voluntary dedication.
* **"he shall be brought unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation":** This command specifies the exact location and action required for the vow's conclusion. The Nazarite is not merely to return to normal life but must be "brought" (implying a formal presentation, perhaps by a priest or a responsible party) to the very entrance of the Tabernacle. This act underscores the public and ritualistic nature of the vow's end, signifying a formal re-entry into the community's ordinary life, but only after a sacred encounter at the threshold of God's dwelling place. It is a moment of accountability and thanksgiving before the Lord.

#### Literary Devices
The text in Numbers 6:13 primarily employs **Legal Formulary**, presenting a prescriptive command as part of a larger body of divine law. The precise and unambiguous language ("this is the law," "when... are fulfilled," "he shall be brought") reflects the authoritative nature of the Mosaic covenant and the meticulous requirements for ritual purity and proper worship. There is also an element of **Symbolism** present; the "door of the tabernacle" is not just a physical entrance but a potent symbol of access to God's presence, the threshold between the sacred and the common, and the point where the Nazarite's special status is formally acknowledged and transitioned. The verse functions as a key moment in a **Ritual Narrative**, outlining a specific step in a sequence of actions designed to bring a dedicated period to its ritually correct conclusion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:13 powerfully underscores the theological principles of commitment, faithfulness to vows, and the importance of proper ritual closure in one's dedication to God. It highlights that a vow made to the Lord is not merely a personal spiritual exercise but a binding obligation that requires formal completion and presentation before the divine presence. This act of being "brought to the door of the tabernacle" symbolizes accountability and the recognition that all our consecrated efforts ultimately culminate in worship and communion with God. The fulfillment of the Nazarite vow serves as a microcosm for the broader biblical call to steadfastness in our spiritual walk and the honoring of our commitments to God.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "The Seriousness of Vows")
* [Ecclesiastes 5:4-5](/ecclesiastes/5-4 "Fulfilling Vows to God")
* [Psalm 50:14](/psalm/50-14 "Fulfilling Vows with Thanksgiving")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific Nazarite vow is no longer practiced by believers today, the enduring principles embedded in Numbers 6:13 hold profound significance for our contemporary spiritual lives. This verse calls us to reflect on the nature of our own commitments to God—whether they are seasons of focused prayer, fasting, dedicated service, or specific promises made in faith. It challenges us to consider not only the initiation of such spiritual disciplines but also their faithful completion, recognizing that our journey with God is marked by perseverance and integrity. Just as the Nazarite was brought to the Tabernacle door, we are continually called to present ourselves before the Lord, offering our lives as living sacrifices, acknowledging His sovereignty over every phase of our spiritual walk, and seeking His grace to complete what we have begun in His name.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What spiritual commitments or disciplines have I initiated, and how am I stewarding their completion?**
* **In what ways do I "present myself" before the Lord in my daily life, acknowledging His presence and sovereignty?**
* **How does the idea of fulfilling a vow to God impact my understanding of faithfulness in my walk with Him?**
* **Are there any "loose ends" in my spiritual journey that I need to bring to a formal, prayerful conclusion before God?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary purpose of the Nazarite vow?**

Answer: The Nazarite vow was a voluntary act of special dedication to the Lord, allowing individuals (men or women) to set themselves apart for a specific period of heightened holiness. Its primary purpose was to express intense devotion, seeking a deeper communion with God through self-denial and adherence to specific prohibitions, such as abstaining from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. It was a personal expression of consecration beyond the general requirements of the Mosaic Law, demonstrating a profound desire for spiritual purity and closeness to God, as detailed in [Numbers 6:1-8](/numbers/6-1 "Numbers 6:1-8 - Regulations for the Nazarite Vow").

**Could anyone take the Nazarite vow, or was it restricted to certain people?**

Answer: Unlike the priesthood, which was hereditary and restricted to the tribe of Levi, the Nazarite vow was accessible to any Israelite, male or female, who desired to undertake it. This highlights the inclusivity of God's call to special dedication, allowing any individual to express a heightened level of devotion and consecration to Him. The text in [Numbers 6:2](/numbers/6-2 "Numbers 6:2 - Who Can Take the Nazarite Vow") explicitly states, "When either a man or woman shall separate themselves to vow a vow of a Nazarite, to separate themselves unto the Lord."

**Why was the Nazarite required to go specifically to "the door of the tabernacle of the congregation" to conclude the vow?**

Answer: The "door of the tabernacle of the congregation" (or Tent of Meeting) was the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people. It symbolized the threshold of God's presence. Requiring the Nazarite to come here for the vow's conclusion underscored several key points: it made the completion a public and communal act, signifying formal re-entry into ordinary life; it ensured ritual purity through prescribed offerings performed by the priests; and most importantly, it emphasized that the entire vow, from initiation to fulfillment, was ultimately directed towards God and required His acknowledgment and blessing in His sacred space. It was a formal, divinely ordained conclusion to a divinely directed commitment, as further detailed with the offerings in [Numbers 6:14-20](/numbers/6-14 "Numbers 6:14-20 - Nazarite Offerings at the Tabernacle").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 6:13, with its emphasis on the fulfillment of separation and presentation at the Tabernacle, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential "separated one," not by a temporary vow, but by His very nature as the Son of God, eternally set apart and consecrated for His redemptive mission. He lived a life of absolute holiness, untouched by sin, fulfilling all righteousness (as seen in [Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Jesus Fulfills All Righteousness")). His entire earthly life was a perfect act of consecration, culminating not at a physical tabernacle door, but in His self-sacrifice on the cross, where He presented Himself as the ultimate, once-for-all offering for sin (as described in [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Through His death and resurrection, Christ perfectly fulfilled the spiritual essence of all Old Testament vows and sacrifices, opening a new and living way for us to draw near to God's presence (as highlighted in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access to God Through Christ")). Believers, united with Christ, are now called to live as a "royal priesthood" and a "holy nation" (as in [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship (as exhorted in [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Present Your Bodies as Living Sacrifices")). Thus, the Nazarite's journey of separation and presentation foreshadows Christ's perfect obedience and our ongoing call to consecrated living in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 21:26

Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.