Numbers 6:6

KJV

All the days that he separateth [himself] unto the LORD he shall come at no dead body.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the days {H3117} that he separateth {H5144} himself unto the LORD {H3068} he shall come {H935} at no dead {H4191} body {H5315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"'Throughout the period for which he has consecrated himself to ADONAI, he is not to approach a corpse.

Berean Standard Bible

Throughout the days of his separation to the LORD, he must not go near a dead body.

American Standard Version

All the days that he separateth himself unto Jehovah he shall not come near to a dead body.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 6:6 details a critical prohibition for individuals undertaking the Nazirite vow: the absolute avoidance of any contact with a dead body. This command underscored the Nazirite's profound commitment to ritual purity and complete separation unto the LORD for the duration of their consecrated period, emphasizing that their dedication transcended even the most fundamental familial and societal obligations related to mourning and burial. It highlighted the sacredness of their consecrated state, which demanded an unbroken condition of holiness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 6:6 is situated within the comprehensive legislation concerning the Nazirite vow, outlined in [Numbers 6:1-21](/numbers/6 "Numbers 6 - The Nazirite Vow"). The preceding verses (Numbers 6:1-5) establish the general parameters of the vow, including its voluntary nature, the prohibition against consuming grape products, and the mandate to let one's hair grow long as a sign of dedication. Verse 6 specifically addresses the third major prohibition: contact with the dead. This particular command is further elaborated in [Numbers 6:7-8](/numbers/6-7 "Numbers 6:7-8 - Consequences of Defilement"), which details the severe consequences of accidental defilement by a corpse, even if it is a close family member, requiring the Nazirite to shave their head, offer sacrifices, and restart the period of their vow. The placement of this stringent purity requirement immediately after the general rules emphasizes its paramount importance in maintaining the Nazirite's consecrated status.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, contact with a dead body was a primary source of ritual uncleanness, as stipulated in various Mosaic laws (e.g., [Leviticus 11:24](/leviticus/11-24 "Leviticus 11:24 - Ritual Uncleanness from Carcasses"), [Numbers 19:11-16](/numbers/19-11 "Numbers 19:11-16 - Laws Concerning Contact with the Dead")). This uncleanness was not inherently sinful but rendered an individual temporarily unfit for worship or participation in the community's sacred life. For the Nazirite, however, this prohibition was elevated to an extreme level. Unlike ordinary Israelites, who could become unclean and then purify themselves, the Nazirite's vow demanded an unbroken state of holiness. This meant abstaining from even the most natural and expected acts of familial piety, such as mourning or burying a deceased parent, sibling, or spouse (cf. [Numbers 6:7](/numbers/6-7 "Numbers 6:7 - Nazirite's Purity Over Family")). This radical separation underscored the Nazirite's total dedication to God, setting them apart from the common populace and even from the priests, who had specific, though less stringent, regulations regarding contact with the dead (e.g., [Leviticus 21:1-4](/leviticus/21-1 "Leviticus 21:1-4 - Priestly Purity Regulations")). The Nazirite's purity was a visible sign of their unique consecration, a living testament to their devotion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Separates (Hebrew: נָזַר, _nazar'_):** This verb is the root of the term "Nazirite" (נָזִיר, _nazir_). It signifies 'to separate oneself,' 'to consecrate,' 'to dedicate,' or 'to abstain.' In this context, it emphasizes a deliberate, intentional act of setting oneself apart from ordinary life and its defilements for a specific, holy purpose unto the LORD. The separation is not merely physical but spiritual and existential, defining the individual's entire being during the vow period.
* **Dead body (Hebrew: נֶפֶשׁ מָוֶת, _nephesh maveth'_):** Literally "soul of death" or "dead person." This phrase highlights the profound defiling nature of a corpse in ancient Israelite thought. It's not just a physical object but something that embodies the antithesis of life and purity, representing the ultimate consequence of sin. For the Nazirite, avoiding this "soul of death" was paramount to maintaining their life-affirming, consecrated state before the living God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the days that he separateth [himself] unto the LORD":** This clause establishes the duration and the divine focus of the Nazirite's commitment. The separation is not arbitrary but specifically "unto the LORD," indicating that the entire purpose of the vow, including its stringent prohibitions, is to honor and serve God. The phrase "all the days" emphasizes the continuous, unbroken nature of this dedication, requiring constant vigilance and adherence to the vow's terms.
* **"he shall come at no dead body":** This is the specific prohibition, stark and absolute. "Come at" implies any form of contact, whether direct touch, being in the same tent, or even participating in burial rites. The command extends to all dead bodies, without exception, reinforcing the supreme importance of maintaining ritual purity above all other considerations, including familial duties or social customs. This absolute avoidance underscores the Nazirite's radical commitment to a life consecrated wholly to God, free from the defilement associated with death.

#### Literary Devices
The language of Numbers 6:6 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Symbolism** is central, as the physical separation from a dead body serves as a powerful symbol of spiritual purity and total consecration to God. The Nazirite's outward actions reflect an inward state of devotion, where the defilement of death represents anything that would pollute or compromise their sacred relationship with the LORD. The strictness of the command, overriding familial obligations, uses **Exaggeration** (a form of hyperbole) to emphasize the absolute and non-negotiable nature of this purity requirement. It highlights that the Nazirite's commitment to God was to supersede all other earthly ties, demonstrating an unparalleled level of dedication. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Contrast** between the Nazirite's life-affirming consecration and the defiling nature of death, reinforcing the idea that God is the source of life and purity, and those dedicated to Him must reflect His character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 6:6, with its stringent prohibition against contact with the dead, underscores profound theological truths about God's holiness, the nature of consecration, and the pervasive defilement of sin and death. It teaches that true dedication to God requires radical separation from anything that contaminates or compromises one's spiritual purity. The Nazirite's vow, though temporary, served as a living parable of the call to holiness for all God's people, demonstrating that intimacy with a holy God necessitates a life set apart from the world's defilements. This principle of separation for divine service resonates throughout Scripture, emphasizing that God's presence demands purity and that our commitment to Him should be undivided.

* [Leviticus 11:44-45](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44-45 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy")
* [2 Corinthians 6:17-18](/2_corinthians/6-17 "2 Corinthians 6:17-18 - Call to Separation and Adoption")
* [1 Peter 1:15-16](/1_peter/1-15 "1 Peter 1:15-16 - Call to Holiness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific Nazirite vow is not practiced today, the underlying spiritual principles of Numbers 6:6 remain profoundly relevant for believers. This verse challenges us to consider what "dead bodies"—what sources of spiritual defilement—we might need to "come at no" in our own lives. It's a call to intentional spiritual purity, urging us to identify and separate ourselves from anything that hinders our consecration to Christ, whether it be sinful habits, worldly influences, ungodly relationships, or corrupted media. Our dedication to God should be so profound that it transcends even our natural inclinations, just as the Nazirite's vow superseded familial obligations. This is not about legalism, but about a heartfelt desire to live a life wholly devoted to God, maintaining a state of spiritual cleanliness that enables us to be effective vessels for His purposes and to reflect His holiness in a defiled world. It reminds us that true worship often demands costly choices of separation for the sake of greater intimacy and usefulness to the LORD.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "dead bodies" or sources of spiritual defilement might I need to intentionally separate myself from in my life today?**
* **How does the Nazirite's radical commitment challenge my own level of dedication and purity in my walk with God?**
* **In what areas of my life am I allowing compromise that hinders my "separation unto the LORD"?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of spiritual purity and consecration in my daily life?**

### FAQ

**What was the primary reason for the Nazirite's strict avoidance of dead bodies?**

Answer: The primary reason was to maintain an unbroken state of ritual purity and holiness for the duration of their vow. In ancient Israelite culture, contact with a dead body (human or animal) rendered a person ritually unclean, making them temporarily unfit for worship or participation in sacred activities. For the Nazirite, whose entire period was consecrated "unto the LORD" ([Numbers 6:2](/numbers/6-2 "Numbers 6:2 - Nazirite Vow Introduction")), any defilement would break their special dedication, requiring a lengthy process of purification and the restarting of their vow period ([Numbers 6:9-12](/numbers/6-9 "Numbers 6:9-12 - Defilement and Re-consecration")). This extreme measure underscored the absolute nature of their commitment and the paramount importance of holiness in their service to God.

**Did this prohibition apply even to close family members?**

Answer: Yes, the prohibition was absolute and applied even to the closest family members. [Numbers 6:7](/numbers/6-7 "Numbers 6:7 - Nazirite's Purity Over Family") explicitly states that the Nazirite "shall not make himself unclean for his father or for his mother, for his brother or for his sister, when they die." This was a radical departure from normal societal expectations, where mourning and burial of family members were sacred duties. The Nazirite's vow demonstrated that their dedication to God superseded even these fundamental familial obligations, highlighting the extraordinary nature of their consecration.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 6:6, with its emphasis on the Nazirite's absolute separation from death to maintain purity, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. While the Nazirite sought to avoid death, Christ willingly entered into it, not to be defiled by it, but to conquer it and purify us from its power. Jesus, the ultimate "Holy One" ([Acts 2:27](/acts/2-27 "Acts 2:27 - Christ's Resurrection Prophesied")), maintained perfect purity throughout His life, utterly undefiled by sin, which is the "sting of death" ([1 Corinthians 15:56](/1_corinthians/15-56 "1 Corinthians 15:56 - The Sting of Death")). His purity was not achieved by avoiding contact with the unclean, but by His inherent sinlessness and divine power, which allowed Him to touch lepers ([Mark 1:41](/mark/1-41 "Mark 1:41 - Jesus Heals a Leper")) and even dead bodies ([Mark 5:41-42](/mark/5-41 "Mark 5:41-42 - Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter"); [Luke 7:14-15](/luke/7-14 "Luke 7:14-15 - Jesus Raises the Widow's Son")), bringing life and cleansing where there was defilement. The Nazirite's physical separation from death foreshadows Christ's spiritual separation from sin and His ultimate victory over death itself through His resurrection ([Romans 6:9](/romans/6-9 "Romans 6:9 - Christ's Resurrection and Lordship")). Moreover, for believers, our "separation unto the LORD" is not achieved through outward vows but through our union with Christ, who has made us holy and blameless before God ([Colossians 1:22](/colossians/1-22 "Colossians 1:22 - Reconciliation Through Christ")). We are called to be "dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 6:11](/romans/6-11 "Romans 6:11 - Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ")), reflecting the ultimate Nazirite, Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled the call to absolute consecration and purity, not by avoiding death, but by conquering it for all who believe.

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

Leviticus 21:11

Neither shall he go in to any dead body, nor defile himself for his father, or for his mother;

Leviticus 19:28

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.

Leviticus 21:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto the priests the sons of Aaron, and say unto them, There shall none be defiled for the dead among his people:

Leviticus 21:3

And for his sister a virgin, that is nigh unto him, which hath had no husband; for her may he be defiled.

Jeremiah 16:5

For thus saith the LORD, Enter not into the house of mourning, neither go to lament nor bemoan them: for I have taken away my peace from this people, saith the LORD, [even] lovingkindness and mercies.

Jeremiah 16:6

Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall [men] lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:

2 Corinthians 5:16

¶ Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we [him] no more.