Numbers 6:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the Nazarite {H5139} shall shave {H1548} the head {H7218} of his separation {H5145} at the door {H6607} of the tabernacle {H168} of the congregation {H4150}, and shall take {H3947} the hair {H8181} of the head {H7218} of his separation {H5145}, and put {H5414} it in the fire {H784} which is under the sacrifice {H2077} of the peace offerings {H8002}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The nazir will shave his consecrated head at the entrance to the tent of meeting, take the hair removed from his consecrated head and put it on the fire under the sacrifice of peace offerings.

Berean Standard Bible

Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite is to shave his consecrated head, take the hair, and put it on the fire under the peace offering.

American Standard Version

And the Nazirite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tent of meeting, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace-offerings.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 6:18 describes the climactic ritual of the Nazarite vow's completion, where the consecrated individual shaves their head at the entrance of the Tabernacle and burns the hair under the peace offerings. This act symbolizes the successful fulfillment of their period of special dedication to the Lord, publicly marking their transition from a separated state back into the full fellowship of the community and signifying the complete offering of their vow to God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 6:18 is the penultimate verse in the detailed instructions concerning the Nazarite vow, a unique and voluntary commitment of special dedication to the Lord. The chapter begins by outlining the specific prohibitions of the vow: abstaining from grape products, not cutting the hair, and avoiding contact with dead bodies (Numbers 6:1-8). It then addresses the procedure for defilement and purification during the vow (Numbers 6:9-12). Verses 13-21 describe the elaborate concluding rituals, which include bringing specific offerings (a male lamb for a burnt offering, a female lamb for a sin offering, and a ram for a peace offering), along with a basket of unleavened bread (Numbers 6:14-15). The priest then performs various wave offerings (Numbers 6:16-17). Verse 18, therefore, represents the final, highly symbolic personal act of the Nazarite's vow completion, immediately preceding the priest's final actions and the Nazarite's permission to drink wine again (Numbers 6:19-20). It is the visible culmination of their period of separation, signifying their return to ordinary life and renewed fellowship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Nazarite vow provided a unique opportunity for any Israelite, male or female, to undertake a period of intense, voluntary consecration to God, distinct from the hereditary priesthood. This vow allowed individuals to express profound devotion beyond the standard requirements of the Mosaic Law. The Tabernacle, as the central sanctuary and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people, served as the essential location for the commencement and conclusion of such sacred vows. Its "door" or entrance was the primary public space where individuals interacted with the divine through priestly mediation and sacrifice, as seen in various offerings prescribed in [Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - The Burnt Offering"). The act of growing the hair long was the most visible sign of the Nazarite's separation, a "crown" of their dedication. Shaving it off publicly at the Tabernacle door, and burning it with the "peace offerings" (Hebrew: *shelamim*), emphasized the sacred nature of the vow's fulfillment. Peace offerings were unique in that a portion was consumed by the offerer and the priests, signifying fellowship and communion with God and the community, a fitting conclusion for one returning from a period of separation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nazarite (Hebrew, נָזִיר, _nazir'_):** Derived from the root _nazar_, meaning "to separate," "to consecrate," or "to dedicate." A Nazarite was someone "separated" or "set apart" for a special period of devotion to God. This term highlights the core nature of the vow—a deliberate, temporary withdrawal from certain common practices to achieve a heightened state of holiness and focus on the Lord.
* **separation (Hebrew, נֵזֶר, _nezer'_):** This noun refers to the state of being separated or consecrated, but it also carries the connotation of a "crown" or "diadem." In the context of the Nazarite, the uncut hair was considered their "crown of separation," a visible emblem of their consecrated status. Burning this hair under the peace offerings symbolized the offering of this "crown" of dedication back to the Lord, acknowledging that their period of holiness and its visible sign were entirely for Him.
* **peace offerings (Hebrew, שְׁלָמִים, _shelamim'_):** Often translated as "fellowship offerings" or "offerings of well-being," these sacrifices were characterized by a portion being consumed by the offerer, the priests, and God (via the altar). The root _shalem_ means "to be complete" or "to be at peace." Their inclusion at the conclusion of the Nazarite vow signifies the restoration of full fellowship with God and the community, the attainment of "peace" or "wholeness" after the period of separation, and an expression of thanksgiving for God's acceptance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation":** This clause describes the central, climactic act of the Nazarite's vow completion. The shaving of the head signifies the end of the period of separation, as the uncut hair was the most prominent visible sign of their consecrated state. It marks a transition from a unique, set-apart status back to ordinary life, but a life now enriched by the experience of intense devotion.
* **"[at] the door of the tabernacle of the congregation":** The location of this ritual is crucial. The "door" of the Tabernacle was the public entrance to God's dwelling place, the site of all sacrifices and communal worship. Performing this act here underscored its public nature, its divine sanction, and its integration into the communal worship of Israel. It was a declaration of a promise fulfilled, witnessed by God and the community.
* **"and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put [it] in the fire":** This detail emphasizes that the hair, the very symbol of their dedication, was not merely discarded but treated as a sacred offering. By placing it "in the fire," it was consumed, symbolizing its complete devotion to God. This act represents the giving back of the visible sign of their consecrated life to the One to whom it was dedicated, acknowledging God's ownership and acceptance of their vow.
* **"which [is] under the sacrifice of the peace offerings":** The specific placement of the hair in the fire "under" the peace offerings links this personal act of devotion directly to the communal system of worship and fellowship. The burning of the hair with the peace offerings signifies that the Nazarite's personal dedication culminates in peace and communion with God and His people. It suggests that even the most intimate acts of devotion are ultimately integrated into God's larger plan for worship and reconciliation.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 6:18 is rich in **Symbolism**. The most prominent symbol is the **hair** itself, which represents the Nazarite's consecrated state, their strength, and their identity during the vow. Shaving it off and burning it symbolizes the offering of their entire period of dedication back to God. The **Tabernacle door** functions as a symbolic threshold, marking the transition from a state of separation to reintegration into the community and full fellowship with God. The **fire** is a potent symbol of divine acceptance, purification, and consumption of offerings, signifying that the Nazarite's dedication is fully received by God. The entire passage also functions as a **Ritual**, a prescribed, ordered sequence of actions that carries deep spiritual meaning, emphasizing obedience, completion, and the sacredness of vows. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast**, highlighting the distinction between the Nazarite's initial state of separation and their subsequent reintegration into communal life, facilitated by the peace offerings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:18 profoundly illustrates the theological themes of covenant faithfulness, the sacredness of personal vows, and the integration of individual devotion within communal worship. It underscores the importance of fulfilling commitments made to God, demonstrating that a period of special consecration must culminate in a public acknowledgment of God's grace and faithfulness. The burning of the hair, a symbol of personal sacrifice, alongside the peace offerings, signifies that even our most intimate acts of devotion are ultimately offered for fellowship with God and should be presented in a spirit of peace and thanksgiving. This act of completion brings the Nazarite back into full communion with the community, emphasizing that true spiritual growth often involves both periods of intense, personal focus and subsequent reintegration into the body of believers.

* [Deuteronomy 23:21-23](/deuteronomy/23-21 "Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Fulfilling Vows to the Lord")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Presenting Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 13:15-16](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15-16 - Sacrifices of Praise and Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 6:18 offers a powerful paradigm for our own spiritual journeys, reminding us of the profound significance of finishing what we start, especially when it comes to commitments made to God. Just as the Nazarite's vow had a clear beginning and end, our periods of special dedication—whether a season of intense prayer, a commitment to a particular ministry, or a personal spiritual discipline—also require intentional completion and a return to the rhythms of everyday life, transformed by the experience. This verse challenges us to consider what "hair of our separation"—what visible symbols of our devotion, our time, our talents, our resources—we are called to offer back to God. It encourages us to make our acts of worship, both personal and communal, a public testimony of His faithfulness and our gratitude. Furthermore, the integration with peace offerings reminds us that even our deepest personal consecrations are meant to foster greater fellowship with God and with His people, leading to wholeness and communion rather than isolation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "vows" or commitments have I made to God, and how am I demonstrating faithfulness in bringing them to completion?**
* **In what ways do I publicly acknowledge God's work in my life and the fulfillment of His purposes through me?**
* **What "symbols of separation" (e.g., time, resources, specific talents) am I called to offer back to God in a spirit of thanksgiving and peace?**
* **How does my personal devotion contribute to or connect with the wider communal worship and fellowship of believers?**

### FAQ
**What was the purpose of burning the hair?**

Answer: The burning of the Nazarite's hair was not merely an act of disposal but a deeply symbolic offering to God. Throughout the vow, the uncut hair served as the primary visible sign of the Nazarite's consecrated state, a "crown" of their dedication. By placing this hair in the fire "under the sacrifice of the peace offerings," the Nazarite was offering the very essence and visible symbol of their period of separation back to the Lord. This act signified that their entire vow, their personal dedication, and the visible manifestation of their consecration were completely given over to God and accepted by Him. It integrated their personal act of devotion with the communal sacrificial system, culminating in fellowship and peace with God.

**Why was this ritual performed at the "door of the tabernacle"?**

Answer: The "door of the tabernacle of the congregation" was the central and most significant location for worship and interaction with God in ancient Israel. It was the public entrance to God's dwelling place, the site where all sacrifices were brought and where the community gathered for worship. Performing the Nazarite's final ritual here underscored its public, official, and divinely sanctioned nature. It was a public declaration of a promise fulfilled, witnessed by the priests, the community, and, most importantly, by God Himself. This public setting emphasized that while the vow was personal, its completion and the Nazarite's reintegration into the community were also communal events, bringing the individual's devotion into alignment with the corporate worship of Israel. The Tabernacle door served as a threshold, marking the transition from a period of separation to a renewed state of fellowship with God and His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 6:18, with its emphasis on a completed vow and the offering of a consecrated life, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Jesus did not take a Nazarite vow, His entire earthly life was one of perfect, lifelong separation and consecration to God, not for a temporary period, but as the eternally set-apart Son (cf. [Hebrews 7:26](/hebrews/7-26 "Hebrews 7:26 - Our Holy, Blameless High Priest")). He is the ultimate "Nazarite," utterly dedicated to His Father's will, culminating in His perfect sacrifice on the cross. His death is the supreme "peace offering," reconciling humanity to God and establishing true fellowship (cf. [Colossians 1:19-20](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19-20 - Christ Reconciles All Things")). The burning of the Nazarite's hair, symbolizing the offering of a dedicated life, foreshadows Christ's complete and unblemished offering of Himself—His body, His life, His perfect obedience—which was consumed by the fire of divine judgment on our behalf (cf. [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through His finished work, we are brought into a new covenant, where we are called to be a "royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race, a Royal Priesthood")), offering our lives as "living sacrifices" in response to His ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice (cf. [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Presenting Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice")). Thus, the temporary, symbolic completion of the Nazarite vow points to the eternal, perfect completion wrought by Christ, through whom we find true peace and unending fellowship with God.

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.