he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.
He shall separate himself from wine,.... Old or new, as Ben Gersom; from drinking it, any of it: not only from an immoderate and excessive drinking of it, which every man should abstain from, but from drinking of it at all, that he might be more free and fit for the service of God; for prayer, meditation, reading the Scriptures, and attendance on the worship...
Num 6:3-4 The vow consisted of the three following points, Num 6:1-4 : In the first place, he was to abstain from wine and intoxicating drink (shecar, see Lev 10:9); and neither to drink vinegar of wine, strong drink, nor any juice of the grape (lit., dissolving of grapes, i.e., fresh must pressed out), nor to eat fresh grapes, or dried (raisins).
Commenting on Numbers 6:3-4
The Nazarite vow distinguishes those who profess greater strictness and zeal in religion than their neighbors. Some were lifelong Nazarites by divine appointment or parental dedication; this law concerns those who bind themselves voluntarily for a season. A woman might take this vow under the conditions given. These separated ones devoted themselves to the Lord's service, to the study of His law, and to devotion.
AI summary
Commenting on Numbers 6:1-21