Nazirite facts for kids

A Nazarite was a person in ancient Israel who made special promises to God. These promises were called "vows." By taking these vows, a Nazarite agreed to live in a certain way for a period of time, or sometimes for their whole life.

What is a Nazarite Vow?

A Nazarite vow was a special promise made to God, often to show dedication or thanks. The rules for Nazarites are found in the Book of Numbers, a book in the Bible.

Main Rules of a Nazarite

When someone became a Nazarite, they had to follow three main rules:

• They could not eat or drink anything made from grapes. This included grape juice, fresh grapes, dried grapes (raisins), and wine.
• They could not cut their hair. Their hair was allowed to grow long as a sign of their vow to God.
• They had to avoid touching dead bodies. This was to stay "pure" according to their religious beliefs.

How Long Did the Vow Last?

A Nazarite vow could be for a specific period, like 30 days or more. After the time was over, the person would complete their vow with a special ceremony and offerings. Some people, like Samson, were Nazarites for their entire lives from birth.

Famous Nazarites

The most famous Nazarite mentioned in the Bible is Samson. He was chosen by God to be a Nazarite even before he was born. Samson was known for his incredible strength, which was connected to his long hair and his Nazarite vow.

Why Did People Become Nazarites?

People became Nazarites for different reasons. Sometimes it was to show their deep devotion to God. Other times, it was a way to ask for God's help or to thank God for something good that happened. It was a personal and spiritual commitment.

See also

• Samson, a famous Nazarite.
• Book of Numbers chapter 6, where the rules for Nazarites are explained.

In Spanish: Nazireato para niños