The Nazarite Priesthood

The Significance of

The Nazarite Priesthood by D. J. Love, Minister, TSN, BC Updated 11-24-2002 Refined 12-26-2003

The significance of the Nazarite Priesthood has long interested me; since I have come to realize that our Creator never performs anything through ancient Israel (physical seed of Abraham) without both a physical and a Spiritual purpose (for the Spiritual seed of Abraham). So what was the purpose of the Nazarite Priesthood? After all, YHVH had already put into place the Levitical Priesthood. So what special purpose could the Nazarite Priests have served, then and NOW? It is interesting to note that Messiah Y'Shua was reported to have spent part of his life in the 'City of Nazareth.' Now we must make a distinction between the 'City of Nazareth' and the Nazarite Priesthood. The 'City of Nazareth' appears from historical records to have gotten its name from the fact that many Nazarite priests resided in the area, BUT most residents were not Nazarites priests; therefore, anyone who had lived or grown up in this city would not qualify as a Nazarite priest without taking the VOW of a Nazarite priest. Of course, anyone (male or female) could take that VOW no matter what city they were from. So was Y'Shua a Nazarite priest from childhood, adolescence or from birth as Samson was? Absolutely Not ! Because he would have sinned for breaking the requirements of the Nazarite Vow. However, this does not mean that Y'Shua could not have taken the vow (a covenant with YHVH) later in his life, and as we shall see, it appears that he did. But first, we must understand the difference between a Levitical priest and a Nazarite priest. In order to be a Levitical priest one would have to have been born of the 'Tribe of Levi.' Those who were born into the 'Tribe of Levi' were "Set Apart" by physical birth for the express purpose of serving as sacramental priests. BUT if you were not born of the 'Tribe of Levi' you could still become a priest by taking the VOW of the Nazarite priesthood. There is a significant distinction to be made here; the Levites had no choice in the matter, BUT the Nazarites CHOSE to become priests.

Because of this distinction the Nazarites were especially favored (given Grace) by YHVH. They were considered by YHVH to be Holy and more pure than the driven snow. And it is this distinction that not only set them apart before YHVH, but also, sets Messiah Y'Shua apart as well. After all, Y'Shua was of the 'Tribe of Judah' and not 'Levi.'

Numbers 6:1-6 (The elements of the Nazarite vow) YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazarite, to separate himself (or herself) to YHVH, 3 (The Main Element of the vow) he (or she) shall separate himself (or herself) from wine and strong drink; he (or she) 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 (all symbolic of the Spiritual fruit of the vine). 4 All the days of his (or her) separation shall he (or she) eat nothing that is made of the grape-vine, from the kernels even to the husk. 5 All the days of his (or her) vow of separation there shall no razor come on his (or her) head: until the days be fulfilled, in which he (or she) separates himself (or herself) to YHVH, he (or she) shall be Holy; he (or she) shall let the locks of the hair of his (or her) head grow long. 6 All the days that he (or she) separates himself (or herself) to YHVH he (or she) shall not come near to a dead body (while the Nazarite priest is living).

Scripture records that one can become a Nazarite Priest at birth, if the mother follows certain procedures.

Judges 13:2-5, 13-14 2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, (not levites) whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and didn't

bear. 3 The angel of YHVH appeared to the woman, and said to her, See now, you are barren, and don't bear; but you shall conceive, and bear a son (SAMSON). 4 Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don't eat any unclean thing: 5 for, behold, you shall conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head; for the child shall be a Nazarite to G-d from the womb: and he shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines. 13 The angel of YHVH said to Manoah, of all that I said to the woman let her beware. 14 She may not eat of anything that comes of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing; all that I commanded her let her observe.

Judges 16:17 He (SAMSON) told her all his heart, and said to her, "No razor has ever come on my head; for I have been a Nazarite to G-d from my mother's womb. If I am shaved, then my strength will go from me, and I will become weak, and be like any other man."

NOTE: Technically, neither scripture nor the epistles have to call a Nazarite a priest. The definition of a priest is anyone who performs a service to/for YHVH such as (symbolic) Baptism, teaching the Gospel, healing the sick without surgery or medicine, casting out demons (unrighteous thoughts), perform (symbolic) sacriments OR WHO HAVE CONSECRATED THEMSELVES TO YHVH, etc... . (con't)

Leviticus 21:10

10 He who is the high priest among his (Nazarite) brothers, on whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor tear his clothes;

(con't) Priestly service can be exactly the same as JOHN the BAPTIZER who was a NAZARITE from birth. So, "Are all Nazarites Priests?" Actually, yes, because not ALL priests (ministers) have (symbolic) sacrimental duties. As a matter of fact, sacrimental duties have nothing to do with the teaching or preaching of the Gospel, but have everything to do with (symbolic) physical examples of Spiritual truths. Such as the physical sacrifice of animals are a physical example of Spiritual sacrifice (living sacrifice or selflessness). See "The Day of Atonement." What we do NOT want to do is compare YHVH's Nazarite priests with Christopagan priests or sacrimental priests. Additionally, we must not confuse the duties of Levitical priest with that of ministers of the word or those that have been consecrated to any other form of service to YHVH. How else could the Messiah (who was NOT a levite by birth) become our HIGH PRIEST? Yet he IS our High Priest. This train of thought, also, brings us to the the fact that, according to Hebrews chapter 5, Messiah was made a High Priest after "The Order of Melchizedek." Melchezidek was and apparently is a physical to Spiritual parallel (anthropomorphism) that portrays 'A' or 'The' "King of Righteousness." A physically understood example of a human being having been made into The Spiritual Image of YHVH (The True King of Righteousness). Melchizedek is not so much a name, as it is a title or designation of honor. It is a position or office that has to be filled by a worthy candidate. The term is a transliteration of two Hebrew words, melek and tsedeq . The Hebrew melek means king and tsedeq means righteousness. Therefore, the term "melchizedek" means literally, "King of Righteousness."

Because a king is always preeminent in his jurisdiction, whoever Melchizedek was, he had to be preeminent in righteousness. He had to be a righteousness seeking king. Therefore, if one of us becomes OR is "After The Order of Melchezedek," THEN we have been made Righteous by YHVH's Holy Spirit (made in the Image of G-d). I believe that All True Nazarite priests fall into this category too, as well as, ALL True worshippers of YHVH. In other words, The "Chosen Few" are of the order of Melchizedek, BUT Messiah Y'Shua is THE Highest Priest OR (in other words) Our ELDER BROTHER, and also a Nazarite Priest.

Hebrews 3:2 Therefore, Holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Y'Shua (Messiah); 2 who was faithful to Him who appointed him, as also, was Moses in all His house.

Lamentations 4:7-9 7 Her NAZARITES (Strong's #5139 NAZIYR, meaning "CONSECRATED TO YHVH") were purer than snow (Spiritually), they were whiter than milk (Spiritually); They were more ruddy in body than rubies (physically), their polishing was as of sapphire. 8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: Their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick (a living self-sacrifice). See "The Sacrifice of Messiah" 9 Those who are killed with the sword are better off than those who are killed with hunger; For these pine away, stricken

through, for want of the fruits of the field.

Could it be that (Symbolically) Messiah Y'Shua pines away even now for his fruit of the vine? After all, doesn't he tell us that YHVH prunes the vine, Y'Shua is the vine, and "The Chosen" are the branches of the vine (branches of Y'Shua) that bear the 'Fruit of the Vine.' Are we beginning to see the Spiritual significance of the Nazarite priests? After all they have freely CHOSEN to follow their VOW (covenant) with YHVH of their own free will, they are "SET APART," they are Holy unto YHVH (pure) and they suffer as the Nazarites in Lamentations 4:7-9 desiring the Fruit of the field (field of grapes).

Note: Not only does Messiah Y'Shua pine away for the Fruit of the Holy Spirit of Love to be fully ripe, but All True Believers and followers of Y'Shua's (YHVH's) teachings (John 7:16), also, pine away earnestly desiring to bring forth much good fruit unto salvation.

John 15:1-9 "I (Y'Shua) am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (pruner). 2 Every branch in me that doesn't bear fruit, he takes away (cuts off). Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already pruned clean because of "The Word" which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can't bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine (Y'Shua's Ministry), so neither can you, unless you remain in me (follow my example and teachings your whole life). 5 I (Y'Shua) am the vine. You (the chosen) are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man doesn't remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire (Gehenna Hell), and they are burned (completely up). 7 If you remain in me, and my words (teachings of YHVH) remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done to you. 8 In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you

will be my disciples (students of The Word of G-d OR future ministers of The Word of G-d). 9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.

2 Peter 3:10-12 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fervent heat, and the Earth and the works (creations of man) that are in it will be burned up (destroyed forever). 11 Therefore, since all these things are thus to be destroyed, what manner of persons ought you to be in Holy living and G-dliness, 12 looking (to pine) for and earnestly desiring the Coming of the Day of G-d, by reason of which the heavens being on fire will be dissolved, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

So then, the question remains, "Did Y'Shua take the VOW of a Nazarite priest?" I am Spiritually certain that he did! It was and is just too Spiritually significant for him not to have done so!

Mark 14:23-25 23 He (Y'Shua) took the cup (of wine), and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. 24 He (Y'Shua) said to them, "This (wine) is my (Spiritually symbolic) blood of the new covenant (a marriage vow), which is poured out for many (not the whole world). 25 (Beginning of Y'Shua's Nazarite Vow) "Most assuredly," I tell you, "I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day (when the end of the Vow occurs) when I drink it anew in the kingdom of G-d(ON EARTH)."

Further evidence of his Nazarite vow was the Messiah's refusal to allow

vinegar to enter his mouth while he was being crucified even though it was placed to his lips. Some of the verses in the epistles of Matthew, Mark and John make it appear as if Y'Shua may have consumed vinegar, but Luke says they only offered it to him. Additionally, another verse in Matthew explicitly denys that he drank vinegar. Furthermore, I do not believe that he actually drank any vinegar, because he would have died a liar (Mark 14:25 above).

Luke 23:36 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming to him and offering him vinegar,

Matthew 27:34 They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

Therefore, Messiah is presently a Nazarite Priest, "Set Apart," "pure," and "Holy" unto YHVH. I say this because he most assuredly kept the rest of the Nazarite vow; because he made this vow approximately 24 hours prior to his death on the cross (it would have been foolish to waste time getting a haircut), he never ate anything unclean, swallowed wine or vinegar, and since he died prior to the other two thieves next to him, he did not violate the being near any dead thing requirement. Now pay particular attention to these next verses.

Revelation 14:14-18 14 I looked, and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud one sitting like a son of man (Y'Shua), having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle (time to harvest the 'Fruit of the Field'). 15 Another angel came out from the temple (with a message from YHVH), crying with a loud voice to him (Y'Shua), who sat on the cloud (and we will join with him in the clouds), "Send forth your sickle, and reap; for the hour to reap has come; for the harvest of the earth is

ripe!" 16 He (Y'Shua), who sat on the cloud, thrust his sickle on the earth, and the Earth was reaped (The Resurrection or Regeneration occurs). 17 Another angel came out from the temple (of YHVH) which is in heaven. He also had a sharp sickle. 18 Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him (Y'Shua) who had the sharp sickle, saying, "(Y'Shua) Send forth your sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe!"

Now recall Mark 14:25.

Mark 14:23-25 25 (Beginning of Y'Shua's Nazarite Vow) "Most assuredly," I tell you, "I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day (when the end of the Vow occurs) when I drink it anew in the kingdom of G-d(ON EARTH)."

One more topic for thought: Could it be that John the Baptist was "Set Apart" from the womb, as a Nazarite priest, so that Messiah Y'Shua could be (symbolically) baptized by a priest that was Holy unto YHVH; after all, the Levitical priesthood had long since fallen from YHVH's Grace (favor)? Answer: "Most Probably!"

Luke 1-11-15 11 An angel of the Lord appeared to him (Zacharias), standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell on him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Don't be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard, and your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

14 You will have joy and gladness; and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb (just like SAMSON). 16 He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their G-d (YHVH).

SO, was John the Baptist a Nazarite priest? I repeat, "Most Probably!" Of course, my personal belief is Absolutely!

Therefore, I believe that Messiah is both a Nazarite Priest and Our High Priest, after "The Righteousness Seeking Order of Melchizedek".

This message is dedicated to Selah Stewart for the inspiration to write it (2-16-2002)