Numbers 6:9 Meaning and Explanation
“And if any man die very suddenly by him, and he hath defiled the head of his consecration; then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing, on the seventh day shall he shave it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If a Nazarite accidentally becomes unclean by proximity to a sudden death, purification requires shaving the head.
The Context of Numbers 6:9
Procedure if a Nazarite accidentally becomes unclean.
What Does Numbers 6:9 Mean?
The rules allow for unavoidable accidents: if death occurs suddenly near a Nazarite, uncleanness results despite the person's intention to remain pure. Upon accidental defilement, the Nazarite must undergo cleansing, which begins with shaving the head on the seventh day. This acknowledges that unforeseen circumstances can interrupt the vow.
The shaving of the head, which normally marks the honorable completion of the vow, here serves as a sign of cleansing from defilement. The distinction between intentional vow-completion and forced purification reveals the law's recognition of intention: the Nazarite is not blamed for unavoidable accidents.
Numbers 6:9 in the Original Language
tum'ah (טֻמְאָה), 'uncleanness' — ritual state of unfitness for sacred access
Frequently Asked Questions About Numbers 6:9
What does Numbers 6:9 mean?
If a Nazarite accidentally becomes unclean by proximity to a sudden death, purification requires shaving the head.
What is the context of Numbers 6:9?
Procedure if a Nazarite accidentally becomes unclean.