Numbers — Chapter 6

The Nazirites were devout Jews who separated themselves from common life to dedicate themselves wholly to God — either perpetually (like Samson, Samuel) or for a set time (like St. Paul, Acts 21:23); they abstained from wine and all intoxicants.

The uncut hair of the Nazirite is the sign of his consecration — like a crown upon his head; \"let his hair grow, for the consecration of God is upon his head.\" Tropologically, uncut hair signifies holy thoughts and knowledge adorning the mind.

The Nazirite must not go near a dead body, not even for father or mother; he exceeds even ordinary priests in this; Religious must cut off all carnal affections for parents and kin, hearing Christ's \"Follow me; let the dead bury their dead.\"

If someone dies before a Nazirite unexpectedly, the days of his vow are nullified and he must begin anew; this signifies that God desires unbroken holiness, and Religious who fall into negligence must begin anew with fresh resolve.

At the completion of the vow the Nazirite shaves his head at the door of the Tabernacle and burns his hair in the fire of the peace-offering; the hair is burned because it was consecrated to God — the whole person is offered to Him.

The vow of Naziriteship is called the \"law of his consecration\" and a status of perfection in the Old Law; as Lapide explains, it corresponds to Religious life in the New Law, which D. Thomas calls \"the state of perfection to be acquired.\"

Aaron and his sons are commanded to bless Israel with the Priestly Blessing: \"The Lord bless thee and keep thee\"; the triple repetition of the divine name in the three clauses signifies the Holy Trinity, from whom all blessings come.

The Lord show His face to thee and have mercy on thee — Lapide: God's face illumining means God directing all one's acts as a lamp; cited Ps 4:7 \"The light of thy face is signed upon us, O Lord.\"

The Lord turn His countenance toward thee and give thee peace; Lapide notes the efficacy of the sacerdotal blessing even in the Old Law: God promises to hear and fulfill it (v.27), as He fulfilled the blessings of dying fathers.

They shall invoke my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them; the priestly blessing in both Testaments is efficacious; Catholics rightly seek and receive it devoutly.