6:1–21 The Nazirite vow was a special type of voluntary devotion. A person could take a special vow of separation for a limited period of time, during which they were not to eat or drink anything that came from the grapevine, and were not to cut their hair or beard. The grapevine was a source of physical pleasure, and abstention from it represented a life given over to God. Allowing the hair to grow signified abstention from human adornment.

During the period for which the vow was taken, the Nazirite was to be careful to avoid becoming ceremonially unclean for any reason (v. 7). If someone should die suddenly in the presence of one who had taken a Nazirite vow, it would be necessary to make certain prescribed offerings (vv. 9–12), shave one’s head, and start the period of separation all over again (v. 12). A special ceremony ending the period of Nazirite separation is described (vv. 13–21).