The Nazarite rulers are mentioned many times in our bible;
however the current day translations do not show everywhere they are
mentioned. Jesus was a Nazarite and
fulfilled the laws of the Nazarite.
Other Nazarites were Joseph, the High Priests, Sampson, King Saul, King
Joash, and Saint Paul.
First we will review the bible verses regarding the
Nazarites, then we will review old newspapers and then we will look at old oil
paintings to find out as much as possible about these Nazarites.
The Bible Verses regarding the Nazarites
Below are just some of the verses that refer to Nazarites in
the bible. There are actually more if
you research the original languages. I
show the original Greek, Latin and block Hebrew for key words.
Genesis – Jacob Israel Blesses Joseph the Nazarite
Joseph was the first born of Rachel and he became a ruler.
“The
blessings of thy father are strengthened with the blessings of his fathers:
until the desire of the everlasting hills should come; may they be upon the
head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren.” DR Gen 49:26
“benedictiones
patris tui confortatae sunt benedictionibus patrum eius donec veniret
desiderium collium aeternorum fiant in capite Ioseph et in vertice nazarei inter
fratres suos” LV Gen 49:26
Sources:
Exodus – Levitical High Priest Nazarites
The law required that during the ceremony of consecrating (dedication
to our Father in Heaven) a crown in the shape of a head band (open on top) be
placed on the high priest’s head and then oil was smeared on his head
(anointing). The Greek Septuagint calls
this crown a mitre, the Latin calls this crown a tiara, and the block Hebrew
calls this crown a ‘nezer’ which implies Nazariteship.
“And
thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and the holy plate upon the mitre, And
thou shalt pour the oil of unction upon his head: and by this rite shall he be
consecrated.” DR Exo 29:6-7
The chapter and verses for these verses are ordered
different between the Septuagint and Latin.
I was unable to find verses Exo 36:39-40 in the original Greek on this
site I have been linking to; I was able to find the Greek in my hard copy of
the Brenton Septuagint.
“And
they made the golden plate, a dedicated thing of the sanctuary, of pure gold;
and he wrote upon it graven letters as of a seal, Holiness to the Lord. And
they put it on the border of blue, so that it should be on the mitre
above, as the Lord commanded Moses.” Sep
Exo 36:38-40
“And
they fastened it to the mitre with a violet fillet, as the Lord had
commanded Moses.” DR Exo 39:30
“And
they made the plate of the holy crown [H5145 nezer; consecration, crown,
hair, separation, Naziriteship derived from H5144 nazar; consecrate,
separating, self] of pure gold, and wrote upon it a writing, like to the
engravings of a signet, Holiness to the Lord. And they tied unto it a lace of
blue [H8504 tekeleth; violet],
to fasten it on high upon the mitre; as the Lord commanded Moses.” KJV Exo 39:30-31
Leviticus – The Consecration & Holiness of the Nazarites
Below are laws for the consecration of Aaron and His Sons
that relate to wearing a crown that reflects Nazariteship.
“He
put also the mitre upon his head: and upon the mitre over the forehead, he put
the plate of gold, consecrated with sanctification, as the Lord had commanded
him.” DR Lev 8:9
“And
he put the mitre [H4702
mitsnepheth; diadem, mitre, a tiara for king or high priest] upon his head;
also upon the mitre, even upon his forefront, did he put the golden plate, the
holy crown [H5145 nezer;
consecration, crown, hair, separation, Naziriteship derived from H5144 nazar; consecrate,
separating, self]; as the Lord commanded Moses.” KJV Lev 8:9
Leviticus chapter 21 reflects the laws to keep the priests
of Nazarites holy, clean and set apart (separate).
“And
he shall not go forth out of the sanctuary, and he shall not profane the
sanctuary of his God, because the holy anointing oil of God is upon him: I am
the Lord.” Lev 21:12
“Neither
shall he go out of the holy places, lest he defile the sanctuary of the Lord,
because the oil of the holy unction of his God is upon him. I am the Lord.”
DR Lev 21:12
“nec
egredietur de sanctis ne polluat sanctuarium Domini quia oleum sanctae
unctionis Dei sui super eum est ego Dominus” LV Lev 21:12
The law requires that the high priest and kings wear a
beard. I point this out because of the
newspaper articles below discuss beards and also to point out that Jesus must
have had a beard.
“And
ye shall not shave your head for the dead with a baldness on the top; and they shall not
shave their beard, neither shall they make gashes on their flesh.”
Sep Lev 21:5
Numbers – The Law of the Nazarite
Below is the full law regarding the ‘Law of the
Nazarite’.
Jesus
did fulfill this law and the notes in the 1599 version of the Geneva Bible
confirm this.
“And
the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, and thou
shalt say to them: When a man, or woman, shall make a vow to be sanctified,
and will consecrate themselves to the Lord: They shall abstain from
wine, and from every thing that may make a man drunk. They shall not drink
vinegar of wine, or of any other drink, nor any thing that is pressed out of
the grape: nor shall they eat grapes either fresh or dried. All the days that they
are consecrated to the Lord by vow: they shall eat nothing that cometh of the
vineyard, from the raisin even to the kernel. All the time of his separation no razor shall
pass over his head, until the day be fulfilled of his consecration
to the Lord. He
shall be holy, and shall let the hair of his head grow. All the time
of his consecration he shall not go in to any dead, Neither shall he make
himself unclean, even for his father, or for his mother, or for his brother, or
for his sister, when they die, because the consecration of his God is upon his head.
All the days of his separation he shall be holy to the Lord. But if any man die
suddenly before him: the head of his consecration shall be defiled: and he
shall shave it forthwith on the same day of his purification, and again on the
seventh day. And on the eighth day he shall bring two turtles, or two young
pigeons to the priest in the entry of the covenant of the testimony. And the
priest shall offer one for sin, and the other for a holocaust, and shall pray
for him, for that he hath sinned by the dead: and he shall sanctify his head
that day : And shall consecrate to the Lord the days of his separation,
offering a lamb of one year for sin: yet so that the former days be made void,
because his sanctification was profaned. This is the law of consecration. When
the days which he had determined by vow shall be expired, he shall bring him to
the door of the tabernacle of the covenant, And shall offer his oblation to the
Lord: one he lamb of a year old without blemish for a holocaust, and one awe
lamb of a year old without blemish for a sin offering, and one ram without
blemish for a victim of peace offering, A basket also of unleavened bread,
tempered with oil, and wafers without leaven anointed with oil, and the
libations of each: And the priest shall present them before the Lord, and shall
offer both the sin offering and the holocaust. But the ram he shall immolate
for a sacrifice of peace offering to the Lord, offering at the same time the
basket of unleavened bread, and the libations that are due by custom. Then
shall the
hair of the consecration of the Nazarite, be shaved off before the
door of the tabernacle of the covenant: and he shall take his hair, and lay it
upon the fire, which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings. And shall
take the boiled shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket,
and one unleavened wafer, and he shall deliver them into the hands of the Nazarite, after
his head is shaven. And receiving them again from him, he shall elevate them in
the sight of the Lord: and they being sanctified shall belong to the priest, as
the breast, which was commanded to be separated, and the shoulder. After this
the Nazarite
may drink wine. This
is the law of the Nazarite, when he hath vowed his oblation to the
Lord in the time of his consecration, besides those things which his hand shall
find, according to that which he had vowed in his mind, so shall he do for the
fulfilling of his sanctification. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Say to
Aaron and his sons: Thus shall you bless the children of Israel, and you shall
say to them: The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord shew his face to
thee, and have mercy on thee. The Lord turn his countenance to thee, and give
thee peace. And they shall invoke my name upon the children of Israel, and I
will bless them.” DR Numbers 6:1-27
The Greek word hagneia is equivalent to the
block Hebrew word H5139 nazir or
H5145 nezer.
The equivalent Latin word
is sanctificentur (sanctified)). A Nazarite is dedicated to our Father in
Heaven to be pure and free of sin. A Nazarite is to be separated from
uncleanness and sin.
“Speak
to the children of Israel, and thou shalt say to them: When a man, or woman,
shall make a vow to be sanctified, and will consecrate themselves to
the Lord:” DR Num 6:2
“Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them, When either man or woman shall separate themselves
to vow a vow [promise to do something for or give
something to our Father in Heaven] of
a Nazarite [H5139 nazir; one consecrated,
devoted, as a prince, a Nazirite
derived from H5144 nazar;
consecrate, separating, self], to
separate [5144b nazar: to
be a Nazirite (separated, dedicated) derived from H5145 nezer; consecration, crown,
hair, separation, Naziriteship derived from H5144 nazar; consecrate,
separating, self] themselves unto
the Lord:” KJV
Num
6:2
A Nazarite is someone who has made a vow or promise to our
Father in Heaven.
“tunc
radetur nazareus
ante ostium tabernaculi foederis caesarie consecrationis suae tolletque
capillos eius et ponet super ignem qui est subpositus sacrificio pacificorum”
LV Num 6:18
The law of the Nazarite is a vow of separation from sin and
uncleanness.
“This
is the law
of the Nazarite, when he hath vowed his oblation to the Lord in the
time of his consecration, besides those things which his hand shall find,
according to that which he had vowed in his mind, so shall he do for the fulfilling of his sanctification.”
DR Num 6:21
“ista
est lex nazarei
[Nazarene] cum
voverit oblationem suam Domino tempore consecrationis suae exceptis his quae
invenerit manus eius iuxta quod mente devoverat ita faciet ad perfectionem
sanctificationis suae” LV Num 6:21
Josephus – Sacred Vow of the Nazirites
Reflected below is the first century historian’s
understanding of the vow of the Nazirites:
“Moreover,
when any have made a sacred vow, I mean those that are called Nazirites,
that suffer their hair to grow long, and use no wine, when they consecrate
their hair, and offer it for a sacrifice, they are to allot that hair for the
priests. Such also as dedicate
themselves to God, as a corban [an offering to God,
especially in fulfilment of a vow], which denotes what the Greeks call a
gift, when they are desirous of being freed from that ministration, are to lay
down money for the priests; thirty shekels if it be a woman, and fifty if it be
a man; but if any be too poor to pay the appointed sum, it shall be lawful for
the priests to determine that sum as they think fit.” Ant 4.4.3; 72-73
Deuteronomy – Moses Blesses Joseph the Nazarite
When Moses blesses Joseph, the word ‘Nazarite’ or ‘Nazir’ or
is used, according to the Latin Vulgate and block Hebrew. The Greek Septuagint uses the word ‘doxazō’. Therefore, both Jacob and Moses refer to Joseph
as a Nazarite.
“And
of the fruits of the earth, and of the fulness thereof. The blessing of him
that appeared in the bush, come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown
of the Nazarite
among his brethren.” DR Deu 33:16
Judges – Sampson the Nazarite
Sampson was at birth a Nazarite. He was the first born child of Saraa and
Manue from the tribe of Dan.
“Now
there was a certain man of Saraa, and of the race of Dan, whose name was
Manue, and his wife was barren. And an angel of the Lord appeared to her, and
said: Thou art barren and without children: but thou shalt conceive and
bear a son. Now therefore beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and eat
not any unclean thing. Because thou shalt conceive and bear a son, and no razor
shall touch his head: for he shall be a Nazarite of God, from his infancy, and from
his mother's womb, and he shall begin to deliver Israel from the hands of the
Philistines. And when she was come to her husband she said to him: A man of God
came to me, having the countenance of an angel, very awful. And when I asked
him who he was, and whence he came, and by what name he was called, he would
not tell me. But he answered thus: Behold thou shalt conceive and bear a son:
beware thou drink no wine, nor strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: for the
child shall be a Nazarite of God from his infancy, from his mother's womb
until the day of his death.” DR Jud 13:2-7
All three versions of the bible do refer to Sampson as a
Nazarite who will separate Israel from the Philistines.
In this verse Sampson explains that the source of his power
and strength is his long hair. The
Brenton Septuagint does not use the word ‘Nazarite’ even though the original
Greek did use the word.
“Then
he told her all his heart, and said to her, A razor has not come upon my head [G2776 κεφαλή (kephalthe) head of
men and women, a corner stone that units two walls, ruler, lord], because I
have been a holy
one of God [Nazarite, Ναζηραίος], from
my mother's womb; if then I should be shaven, my strength will depart from me,
and I shall be weak, and I shall be as all other men.” Sep Jdg 16:17
“Then
opening the truth of the thing, he said to her: The razor hath never come upon
my head, for I am a Nazarite that is to
say, consecrated to God from my mother's womb: if my head be shaven, my strength shall depart from me, and I shall
become weak, and shall be like other men.” DR Judges 16:17
“tunc
aperiens veritatem rei dixit ad eam ferrum numquam ascendit super caput [caput; source, origin, vital
part, leader, chief, capital city] meum quia nazareus id est consecratus Deo sum de utero
matris meae si rasum fuerit caput [caput; source, origin, vital
part, leader, chief, capital city] meum recedet a me fortitudo mea et deficiam
eroque ut ceteri homines” LV Jdg 16:17
“That
he told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon
mine head; for I have been a Nazarite [H5139 nazir; one consecrated,
devoted, as a prince, a Nazirite
derived from H5144 nazar;
consecrate, separating, self] unto God from
my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall
become weak, and be like any other man [H120 adam].” KJV Jdg 16:17
2 Samuel – King Saul the Nazarite
King Saul, who was a descendant of Benjamin (1 Sam 9:1-2),
was a Nazarite. The verses below are in
regards to King Saul’s death. King Saul
was killed by an Amalekite (2 Sa 18) which is descendant to Canaan.
“So
I stood over him and slew him, because I knew he would not live after he was
fallen; and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet
that was upon his arm, and I have brought them hither to my lord.” Sep
2Sa 1:10
“So
standing over him, I killed him: for I knew that he could not live after the
fall: and I took the diadem that was on his head, and the bracelet
that was on his arm and have brought them hither to thee, my lord.” DR 2 Sa
1:10
“stansque
super eum occidi illum sciebam enim quod vivere non poterat post ruinam et tuli
diadema
quod erat in capite eius et armillam de brachio illius et adtuli ad te dominum
meum huc” 2 Sa 1:10
“So
I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after
that he was fallen: and I took the crown [H5145 nezer; consecration, crown,
hair, separation, Naziriteship derived from H5144 nazar; consecrate,
separating, self] that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his
arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.” KJV 2 Sa 1:10
2 Kings – King Joash (Jehoash )the Nazarite
Joash (Jehoash) a descendant of King David and Judah (1Ch
3:11) was anointed King in Judah. Joash
was also an ancestor of Jesus (Mat 1:9).
“And
he brought forth the king's son, and put upon him the crown and gave him the testimony; and he made him king, and
anointed him: and they clapped their hands, and said, Long live the king.”
Sep 2 Ki 11:12
“And
he brought forth the king's son, and put the diadem upon him, and the testimony: and they made him king, and
anointed him: and clapping their hands. they said, God save the king.” 2 Ki
11:12
“produxitque
filium regis et posuit super eum diadema
et testimonium feceruntque eum regem et unxerunt et plaudentes manu dixerunt
vivat rex” LV 2 Ki 11:12
“And
he brought forth the king's son, and put the crown [H5145 nezer;
consecration, crown, hair, separation, Naziriteship derived from H5144 nazar; consecrate,
separating, self] upon him, and gave him the testimony; and they made him
king, and anointed him; and they clapped their hands, and said, God save the
king.” KJV
2 Ki
11:12
Jeremiah – Judah must Cutoff Hair in Shame
The tribe of Judah had done evil and Jeremiah told them to
cut off their hair as a way of outwardly showing shame for their evil
deeds. All three versions of the bible
show that the word used was in reference to their hair meant leadership;
however only the block Hebrew uses the word ‘nezer’ that refers to them as
being Nazarites.
“Cut
off thy hair
(see Latin, below), and cast it away: and take up a lamentation on high: for
the Lord hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath, Because the
children of Juda have done evil in my eyes, saith the Lord.” DR Jer 7:29-30
Lamentations – The Nazarites
In Jeremiah’s lamentation over the fall of Jerusalem he
provides a description of the Nazarites leaders of Zion:
“Her
Nazarites
[Nazarites, Ναζαραίοι]
were made purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were purified as
with fire, their polishing was superior to sapphire stone.” Sep Lam 4:7
“Zain.
Her Nazarites
were whiter than snow, purer than milk, more ruddy than the old ivory, fairer
than the sapphire.” DR Lam 4:7
“ZAI candidiores nazarei eius nive nitidiores lacte
rubicundiores ebore” LV Lam 4:7
Amos – Judgement of Israel
In Amos’ prophecy regarding the Judgement of Israel, Amos
states our Father in Heaven judged the 10 tribes of Israel for giving wine to
the Nazarites:
“And
I took of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for consecration. Are not
these things so, ye sons of Israel? saith the Lord. But ye gave the consecrated ones [G38 ἁγιασμός (hagiasmos);
sanctification, holiness, the process of making or becoming holy, set apart
(separate), sanctification, holiness, consecration] wine to drink; and ye commanded the prophets, saying,
Prophesy not.” Sep Amo 2:11-12
“And
I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites.
Is it not so, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord? And you will present
wine to the Nazarites: and command the prophets, saying: Prophesy not.” DR
Amos 2:11-12
“et
suscitavi de filiis vestris in prophetas et de iuvenibus [young] vestris nazarenos
numquid non ita est filii Israhel dicit Dominus” LV Amos 2:11
Matthew – Jesus the Nazarite
The first time the word Nazarite is used in the New
Testament is in reference to Jesus being called a Nazarite. Tyndall used the word ‘Nazarite’; however,
the King James Authorized Version used the word ‘Nazarene’. Our current day bibles state that Jesus lived
at Nazareth; however the Old Testament and Josephus never mention a place
called Nazareth. I’m not sure what to
make of this; it may have been a newly formed place where Nazarites gathered
for learning and instruction.
“and
wet and dwelt in a cite called Nazareth to fulfill yt which was spoken by ye
Prophetes: he shalbe called a Nazarite.” Tyndall” Mat 2:23
“And
coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was
said by prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.” DR Mat 2:23
“et
veniens habitavit in civitate quae vocatur Nazareth ut adimpleretur quod dictum
est per prophetas quoniam Nazareus [same word used in Num 6:18 above]
vocabitur” LV Mat 2:23
“And
he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which
was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” KJV Mat 2:23
A book written in 1841 that shows a side by side comparison
of scripture shows that Tyndale, Cranmer, Geneva, and Rheims all used the word
‘Nazarite’. The 1611 King James Authorized
Version was the first to use the word ‘Nazarene’. Therefore it would be easy to
conclude that Jesus was fulfilling the laws of the Nazarites.
Acts – Saint Paul the Nazarite
In the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ Saint Paul is described as
being a leader of the Nazarites. Paul
must have had longhair and have worn some sort of headband or crown in ordered
to be identified as a Nazarite. Here the
Tyndale version of the bible uses the word Nazarite and the King James uses the
word Nazarene.
“We
have founde this ma a pestilent felowe and a mover of debate vnto all the Iewes
thorowe out the worlde and a mayntayner of ye secte of the Nazarites” Tyndale Acts 24:5
“But
that I be no further tedious to thee, I desire thee of thy clemency to hear us
in few words. We have found this to be a pestilent man, and raising seditions
among all the Jews [Judeans] throughout the world, and author of the sedition
of the sect of the Nazarenes.” DR Acts 24:5
“invenimus
hunc hominem pestiferum et concitantem seditiones omnibus Iudaeis in universo orbe et auctorem seditionis sectae Nazarenorum”
LV Acts 24:5
“For
we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all
the Jews [Judeans] throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:”
KJV Acts 24:5
There are early oil paintings of Paul with longhair as shown
below. There are also many paintings of
him with short hair. I am inclined though to think that he was a longhaired
Nazarite. I wonder if the halo above his
head is a sign of being a Nazarite since they are supposed to wear some sort of
crown or headband.
The 1841
English Hexapla does show that the Tyndale, Cranmer, Geneva, and Rheims bibles
used the word Nazarites. The King James
Authorized Version was the first to use the word Nazarens.
1 Corinthians - St. Paul Regarding Hair Length
In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he talks about the
length hair. The next time you read the entirety
of 1 Corinthians chapter 11 picture Paul with long hair making these
statements. Paul is actually asking the
Corinthians to judge or decide from themselves and he is asking them a
question.
The Amish and Mennonite women never cut their hair and
always cover their hair with a cap because of Paul’s statements here in 1
Corinthians. I visit with the Amish and Mennonite women personally and have
discussed this with them. The Mennonite
women that I purchase my milk from states she has only trimmed her hair once
and her daughter’s hair has never been trimmed.
Long Hair in the News
I did a search in the newspaper archives to see what could
be learned and the articles are reflected below.
1856 news – Sensible Fashion
More
information:
1872 - The Baptism of Clovis the Long-haired King of the Franks
1878 news – Short Hair and Slavery
1885 news - Historical Items about Hair
1886 news – About Beards
1892 news –Ancient Hair Dressing
1898 news –As to Hairdressing
1900 news - Portia’s New York Letter
Below are only two paragraphs from this article.
1903 news – The Sabbath School regarding the Nazarite Vow
1907 news – Long Hair a Mark of Honor
Art Showing Historical Longhair Leaders
This section shows old oil painting I found that reflect men
with long hair. There were probably lots
more long haired kings.
451 - Merovingian Dynasty
Merovech founded the Merovingian dynasty of ‘long haired kings
‘that ruled the Franks. His famous
grandson Clovis I (ruled c. 481–511) united all of Gaul under Merovingian rule. According to British Israelism, Merovech is
descendant to Judah’s son Zarah.
Sources and more information:
400 to 600 AD – The Franks
These pictures show how the different ranks of people
dressed and wore their hair.
Notice how the women of the lower rank style their hair so
that it circles their head like a headband.
1002 AD – King Brian Boru of Ireland
High King of Ireland Brian Boru shown with longhair and
beard. He is shown standing by King David’s harp and the Lions of Judah.
One of the earliest and most well-known depictions of Brian
on the front piece of the 1723 publication of "The General History of
Ireland" translation of Keating's " Foras feasa ar Éirinn" by
Dermot O'Connor.
Sources:
1620 - William Bradford
William Bradford was a Mayflower Pilgrim and the colonial
governor of the Plymouth colony. He also
was a judge, treasurer and chief magistrate.
William had shoulder length hair.
1666 - William Penn
William Penn, who was a Nobleman,
writer, colonial proprietor of Pennsylvania, had
long hair.
Source:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Penn_at_22_1666.jpg
1770 - Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin is always shown with longhair.
Sources:
1779 - French King Louis XVI
The French King Louis XV1
continued the traditions of the long haired Frankish kings.
Louis XVI, King of France and Navarre (1754-1793), wearing
his grand royal costume in 1779. Painted
by Antoine-François Callet.
1789 - George Washington
George Washington had long hair and wore his hair in a ponytail.
Sources:
Conclusion
Maybe the hippies were right? Bring back the head bands and long hair of
the past. Be dedicated to our Father who
is in Heaven. Men will then be like
Sampson and will regain strength you once had.
I did notice that many of the Nazarites in the bible were first born; I
do not believe that only the first born can be a Nazarite since I did not find that
stated in the law. I’m not sure that any
of the groups of people below understand today what the longhair and headband
represented.
Longhair and Headbands is the visual sign
of the vow of separation from uncleanness and dedication to our Father in
Heaven.
