nazirite
RareFormal, religious, academic, historical
Definition
Meaning
A member of an ancient Hebrew sect who took a vow of abstinence from alcohol, grapes, and hair-cutting, as described in the biblical Book of Numbers.
A person who has taken a religious vow of asceticism or consecration, typically involving specific abstentions; in historical contexts, refers specifically to the Hebrew vow described in the Torah.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost exclusively used in contexts discussing ancient Hebrew religion, biblical history, or comparative religious asceticism. Not to be confused with 'Nazarene' (a person from Nazareth or an early Christian). The vow was temporary for most, but Samson and Samuel were lifelong Nazirites.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Both use the spelling 'Nazirite'. The term is equally rare and specialized in both dialects.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of ancient religious practice, scholarly or theological discussion. Can imply extreme devotion or asceticism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Found almost exclusively in theological, historical, or biblical studies texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
He was a Nazirite.She took a Nazirite vow for thirty days.The Nazirite abstained from wine.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As strict as a Nazirite”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, and ancient history to describe a specific Hebrew religious practice.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Used with precision in biblical exegesis and studies of ancient Jewish law and customs.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A. No standard verb form.
American English
- N/A. No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- N/A.
American English
- N/A.
adjective
British English
- N/A. The adjectival form 'Nazirite' is used attributively (e.g., Nazirite vow).
American English
- N/A. The adjectival form 'Nazirite' is used attributively (e.g., Nazirite laws).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This word is too advanced for A2 level.
- Samson was a Nazirite from birth.
- The Nazirite could not cut his hair.
- According to Numbers chapter 6, a Nazirite vow involved abstaining from wine and all grape products.
- The temporary Nazirite vow ended with a specific sacrificial ceremony.
- The institution of the Nazirite represents a form of personal, voluntary consecration outside the priestly lineage in ancient Israel.
- Scholars debate whether the Nazirite vow was primarily apotropaic, ascetic, or a form of imitatio Dei.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: NAZIrite = NAZarite vow from the Bible. The 'z' can remind you of the 'zeal' of their abstinence.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NAZIRITE IS A SEPARATED/SACRED OBJECT. The person is set apart (like a dedicated temple vessel) through their vow.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'назир' (overseer) or 'назидание' (edification). The Russian biblical term is 'назорей' (nazorey).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'Nazarite' (though this is an accepted variant).
- Confusing with 'Nazarene' (inhabitant of Nazareth).
- Using it as a general term for any monk or ascetic without the specific biblical connotations.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these was NOT a prohibition for a Nazirite?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are accepted, but 'Nazirite' is more common in modern scholarly texts, deriving from the Hebrew 'nazir' (meaning 'consecrated' or 'separated'). 'Nazarite' is an older English variant.
A Nazirite was a layperson who took a temporary or lifelong vow of consecration with specific abstentions. A priest was from the tribe of Levi and performed temple rituals; their prohibitions and duties were hereditary and different.
In mainstream Rabbinic Judaism, the Nazirite vow is largely obsolete, though theoretically possible. Some individuals in certain religious groups may take inspiration from the concept, but there is no continuous, institutionalized modern practice identical to the ancient one.
The most famous are Samson (Judges 13-16) and Samuel (1 Samuel 1:11), who were lifelong Nazirites. The regulations for the vow are detailed in Numbers chapter 6.