nazarite

2 definitions found

nazarite - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Nazarite \Naz"a*rite\, prop. n.
     A Jew bound by a vow to leave the hair uncut, to abstain from
     wine and strong drink, and to practice extraordinary purity
     of life and devotion, the obligation being for life, or for a
     certain time. The word is also used adjectively.
     [1913 Webster]

nazarite - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  Nazarite
  (Heb. form Nazirite), the name of such Israelites as took on
  them the vow prescribed in Num. 6:2-21. The word denotes
  generally one who is separated from others and consecrated to
  God. Although there is no mention of any Nazarite before Samson,
  yet it is evident that they existed before the time of Moses.
  The vow of a Nazarite involved these three things, (1)
  abstinence from wine and strong drink, (2) refraining from
  cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the
  continuance of the vow, and (3) the avoidance of contact with
  the dead.
  
    When the period of the continuance of the vow came to an end,
  the Nazarite had to present himself at the door of the sanctuary
  with (1) a he lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, (2) a
  ewe lamb of the first year for a sin-offering, and (3) a ram for
  a peace-offering. After these sacrifices were offered by the
  priest, the Nazarite cut off his hair at the door and threw it
  into the fire under the peace-offering.
  
    For some reason, probably in the midst of his work at Corinth,
  Paul took on himself the Nazarite vow. This could only be
  terminated by his going up to Jerusalem to offer up the hair
  which till then was to be left uncut. But it seems to have been
  allowable for persons at a distance to cut the hair, which was
  to be brought up to Jerusalem, where the ceremony was completed.
  This Paul did at Cenchrea just before setting out on his voyage
  into Syria (Acts 18:18).
  
    On another occasion (Acts 21:23-26), at the feast of
  Pentecost, Paul took on himself again the Nazarite vow. "The
  ceremonies involved took a longer time than Paul had at his
  disposal, but the law permitted a man to share the vow if he
  could find companions who had gone through the prescribed
  ceremonies, and who permitted him to join their company. This
  permission was commonly granted if the new comer paid all the
  fees required from the whole company (fee to the Levite for
  cutting the hair and fees for sacrifices), and finished the vow
  along with the others. Four Jewish Christians were performing
  the vow, and would admit Paul to their company, provided he paid
  their expenses. Paul consented, paid the charges, and when the
  last seven days of the vow began he went with them to live in
  the temple, giving the usual notice to the priests that he had
  joined in regular fashion, was a sharer with the four men, and
  that his vow would end with theirs. Nazarites retired to the
  temple during the last period of seven days, because they could
  be secure there against any accidental defilement" (Lindsay's
  Acts).
  
    As to the duration of a Nazarite's vow, every one was left at
  liberty to fix his own time. There is mention made in Scripture
  of only three who were Nazarites for life, Samson, Samuel, and
  John the Baptist (Judg. 13:4, 5; 1 Sam. 1:11; Luke 1:15). In its
  ordinary form, however, the Nazarite's vow lasted only thirty,
  and at most one hundred, days. (See RECHABITES.)
  
    This institution was a symbol of a life devoted to God and
  separated from all sin, a holy life.