Word Study for H5139 (נָזִיר)

nâzîyr /naw-zeer'/ Ask about this word

Rootor נָזִר · from נָזַר

Meaningseparate, i.e. consecrated (as prince, a Nazirite); hence (figuratively from the latter) an unpruned vine (like an unshorn Nazirite)

KJV usageNazarite (by a false alliteration with Nazareth), separate(-d), vine undressed.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of nâzîyr — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word nâzîyr, represented by H5139, primarily means to be separate or consecrated. It appears 16 times across 16 unique verses in the Bible. The term applies to an individual set apart for God through a special vow, known as a Nazarite, but also extends figuratively to a leader or prince, and even to an unpruned vine, reflecting the core idea of being set apart from the ordinary.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H5139 is used in several key contexts. It most commonly defines the "Nazarite," a person who vows to separate themselves to the LORD H3068 Numbers 6:2. This vow entailed specific restrictions, such as abstaining from wine Amos 2:12 and not allowing a razor to come upon their head Judges 13:5. This consecration could be for life, as in the case of the child who would begin to deliver H3467 Israel H3478 from the Philistines H6430 Judges 13:5, or for a specified period. The term is also used to describe Joseph H3130 as being separate from his brethren H251, highlighting his unique and elevated position (Genesis 49:26, Deuteronomy 33:16). In an agricultural sense, it refers to a "vine undressed," left unpruned during a year of rest H7677 for the land H776 Leviticus 25:5.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of separation and consecration:

H5144 nâzar (to consecrate, separate(-ing, self)): This is the root verb from which nâzîyr is derived. It describes the action of dedicating or separating oneself for a holy purpose, as seen in the command to separate themselves unto the LORD H3068 Numbers 6:2.
H5145 nezer (consecration, crown, hair, separation): This noun often refers to the physical sign of the Nazarite's vow—their unshorn hair. After the vow is complete, the Nazarite shaves the "hair of his separation" and puts it in the fire H784 of the peace offerings H8002 Numbers 6:18.
H6944 qôdesh (holiness, consecrated thing): This term defines the state resulting from the separation. The offerings made at the completion of the vow are described as holy for the priest H3548, setting them apart for sacred use Numbers 6:20.
H6381 pâlâʼ (to separate, make singular): This verb is used to describe the extraordinary act of making a Nazarite vow, emphasizing that it is a special and distinguished commitment made by a man H376 or woman H802 Numbers 6:2.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H5139 is significant, illustrating a deep commitment to God.

Voluntary Consecration: The Nazarite vow represents a personal and voluntary act of separating oneself for the LORD H3068, demonstrating a desire for a higher level of holiness Numbers 6:2. This was available to any man H376 or woman H802.
Divine Appointment: In some cases, being a Nazarite was a divine calling from the womb H990 for a specific purpose, such as delivering Israel H3478 Judges 13:5. This shows that separation can be an instrument of God's plan.
Princely Status and Blessing: The application of nâzîyr to Joseph H3130 as "separate from his brethren" links the concept of separation to divine blessing H1293 and leadership. The blessings of his father H1 and progenitors H2029 are for him as the one set apart Genesis 49:26.
Symbol of Purity and Rest: The depiction of Nazarites as "purer than snow" Lamentations 4:7 and the connection to an "unpruned vine" Leviticus 25:5 ties the idea of separation to both personal purity and the sanctified rest of the land.

Summary

In summary, H5139 is far more than a simple label for a specific vow. It embodies the foundational biblical principle of being set apart for a higher, holy purpose. Whether describing a man consecrated to God, a blessed leader chosen from among his brothers, or a field left to rest, nâzîyr consistently points to a state of separation that is special, sacred, and aligned with the will H7522 of the LORD H3068.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 16 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

נָּזִיר
נְזִיר
נְזִיר
נְזִרִים
נְזִרֶי

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 16 verses across 7 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Numbers (6 verses); never once in the other 32.

Genesis

Leviticus

Numbers

Deuteronomy

Judges

Lamentations

Amos

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.