What Does Numbers 6:19 Mean in the King James?

And the priest shall take the sodden shoulder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven:

Numbers 6:19 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The “Nazarite” and “his separation” share one Hebrew root, so the vow’s bodily sign gives way to portions placed in his hands.

THE MEANING

The vow reaches a tangible turning point: after the hair of separation is shaved, the priest places the cooked shoulder and unleavened portions into the Nazarite’s hands. Dedication moves from a mark carried on the body to something held in the hands.

THE ROOT

נִזְרוֹ

nizro

GROWS FROM

נזר

To dedicate or consecrate; to be set apart.

The Hebrew word for “his separation” comes from the same root as “Nazarite,” linking the person to the consecration that marks him. A related form, nezer, can mean both consecration and a crown or diadem, connecting the shaved hair to a visible sign of being set apart.

ALSO GROWS

nāzîr: A consecrated person; a Nazarite.

נָזִיר

This is the name for the person whose vow reaches its closing moment in the verse.

nezer: Consecration; also a crown or diadem.

נֵזֶר

The sense of a crown links consecration with a mark worn on the head, the very place where the Nazarite’s hair is shaved.

THE PATTERN

Consecration becomes tangible when what is set apart is placed into hands as an offering.

And he put all upon Aaron’s hands, and upon his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the LORD.

Leviticus 8:27 · KJVThe consecrated portions rest in the hands before being presented as an offering.

And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

Numbers 6:20 · KJVThe portions placed in the Nazarite’s hands become part of the public completion of the vow.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1 · KJVThe body itself becomes the tangible presentation of a life set apart.

THE THREAD

And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.

Numbers 6:18 · KJV

“Nazarite” and “his separation” both carry the root ⁨נזר⁩, joining the person to the vow embodied in the hair. This verse shows the next movement: after the hair is shaved and placed in the fire, the priest places the offering portions into the Nazarite’s hands.

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