נָזַר (na.zar)
na.zar
to dedicate; be a Nazarite
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb nazar carries the core meaning of setting something apart for a specific purpose, whether in religious or ceremonial contexts. In its basic forms, it describes the act of dedicating oneself to God or maintaining a state of sacred separation. This concept is central to the biblical understanding of holiness, where being set apart implies a distinct identity and responsibility.
A significant development of this word appears in the Hiphil stem, which specifically denotes the status of a Nazirite. As detailed in Numbers 6, this involved a voluntary vow to live as a consecrated individual, marked by abstaining from wine and not cutting one's hair. The law required keeping these individuals sacredly separate from ritual uncleanness during their period of dedication.
This specialized usage connects the general idea of separation with a tangible lifestyle commitment. While the root applies broadly to dedication, its application to Nazirites highlights a temporary or permanent withdrawal from normal social and religious practices to focus entirely on divine service. This distinction shows how the language of separation was used to define unique roles within Israelite worship.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word nazar speaks of a deliberate choice to set oneself apart for God. In ancient Israel, this was not just a ritual rule but a tangible way of living out devotion. When someone took a vow of separation, they stepped away from ordinary routines—like drinking wine or cutting hair—to focus entirely on their relationship with the Lord. This act reminded them that their lives belonged to Someone greater than themselves.
For us today, nazar invites reflection on where we place our highest loyalty. It is not about strict rules but about priority. By setting aside time, habits, or comforts for prayer and service, we declare that God comes first. This simple act of separation helps us stay grounded in faith when life feels chaotic.
Consider how Numbers 6 describes this dedication. The Nazirite’s long hair was a visible sign of their vow, much like how our daily choices can reflect our inner commitment to Christ. When we intentionally pause from distractions to seek God, we align our hearts with His purposes. This practice fosters a deeper sense of peace and clarity in our spiritual journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- will I consecrate myself?1×
- to/ be a Nazirite1×
- so/ they may separate themselves1×
- he will keep separate1×
- he will be a Nazirite1×
- being a Nazirite/ he1×
- and/ you will keep separate1×
- and/ they devoted themselves1×
- and/ he will be a Nazirite1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לְ/הַזִּ֖יר1×
- יַזִּ֤יר1×
- יַזִּ֔יר1×
- וַ/יִּנָּֽזְרוּ֙1×
- וְ/יִנָּֽזְרוּ֙1×
- וְ/הִזַּרְתֶּ֥ם1×
- וְ/הִזִּ֤יר1×
- הַזִּיר֖/וֹ1×
- הִנָּזֵ֕ר1×
Key Verses
-
Numbers 6:2
“Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: ‘When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to Yahweh,
This verse introduces the vow of separation as a voluntary act of dedicating oneself to Yahweh, establishing the core concept of nazar.
-
Numbers 6:5
“‘All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall come on his head, until the days are fulfilled in which he separates himself to Yahweh. He shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.
The prohibition against cutting hair serves as a public, physical mark of the Nazirite’s ongoing dedication and holiness during their vow.
-
Leviticus 15:31
“‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’”
Here nazar is used in a broader context of separating Israel from uncleanness, showing its application to communal purity and reverence for God’s presence.