No grapes?

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means.. Let's see where this takes us! 

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

Numbers 6

I didn't really know what a nazirite was, I did a search to see if "nazirite" was mentioned before in the Bible and I missed it. Turns out, this is the first appearance.

My impression is that agreeing to be a nazirite for a certain period of time was like going to rehab for alcohol abuse. If not that, then it was like a strict Lent observance, although with greater accountability to the priest than most contemporary churches have.

No alcohol or the eating of grapes in any form, no haircuts, no touching of dead bodies (even loved ones). This seems like the opposite of being cut off from the camp; it is cutting oneself off from the camp in order to do some holy task without distraction.

Because offerings are made after the completion of the tenure, I wonder if one became a nazirite upon repentance of great sin and/or a great sense of guilt.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support!

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)