Numbers 6:1–8

The Nazirite

The Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘If a man or woman wants to make a special vow^a, a vow of dedication^b to the Lord as a Nazirite,^c they must abstain from wine^d and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar^e made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes^f or raisins. As long as they remain under their Nazirite vow, they must not eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.

“ ‘During the entire period of the Nazirite’s vow, no razor^g may be used on their head.^h They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.

“ ‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body.ⁱ Even if their own father or mother or brother or sister dies, they must not make themselves ceremonially unclean^j on account of them, because the symbol of their dedication to God is on their head. Throughout the period of their dedication, they are consecrated to the Lord.