Numbers - 6:4



4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the seeds even to the skins.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Numbers 6:4.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree, from the kernels even to the husk.
All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the grape-vine, from the kernels even to the husk.
All the days that they are consecrated to the Lord by vow: they shall eat nothing that cometh of the vineyard, from the raisin even to the kernel.
All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine, from the seed-stones, even to the skin.
all days of his separation, of anything which is made of the wine-vine, from kernels even unto husk, he doth not eat.
All the time he is separate he may take nothing made from the grape-vine, from its seeds to its skin.
All the days of his Naziriteship shall he eat nothing that is made of the grape-vine, from the pressed grapes even to the grapestone.
During all the days that they are consecrated to the Lord by vow, they shall not eat whatever may be from the vineyard, from raisins, even to grape seeds.
Omnibus diebus separationis suds, ex omni quod confieitur ex vite vinifera, ab acinis usque ad corticem, non comedet.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

From the kernels even to the husk - A sour drink was made from the stones of unripe grapes; and cakes were also made of the husks Hosea 3:1. This interdict figures that separation from the general society of men to which the Nazarite for the time was consecrated.

All the days of his separation shall he eat nothing that is made of the vine tree,.... Of its leaves, branches, and fruit, especially the latter, put into any sort of food, or infused into any liquor, or mixed with any sauce for food: the days or time of separation were according as the vow was made, for a shorter or longer time; though the Jews (t) say, where the vow is, absolutely expressed, it is always to be understood of thirty days, during which time the Nazarite was not to eat or drink of any composition that had anything the vine in it:
from the kernels even to the husk; the Jews (u) are divided about the two words here used, which of them signifies the outermost part of the grape, and which the innermost; Ben Gersom agrees with us, but it matters not much who are in the right, since both are forbidden: by this part of the law, the people of God, who are spiritual Nazarites, are taught to live temperately and soberly, and to abstain from all appearance of sin: it is pretty remarkable what the Jews (w) say, that when the son of David comes, it will be free for a Nazarite to drink wine on sabbath days and festivals, though not on week days; from whence it appears, they seem to be conscious of a change of the ceremonial law in his days.
(t) Misn. Nazir, c. 1. sect. 3. & c. 6. sect. 3. (u) Misn. Nazir, c. 6. sect. 2. Aben Ezra in loc. (w) T. Bab. Erubin, fol. 43. 1.

All the days of his separation - Which were sometimes more, sometimes fewer, as he thought fit to appoint.

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