6:1-5
A Nazirite was someone who was especially dedicated to the Lord. This was usually done for a limited period of time, though Samsom, Samuel and John the Baptist were lifelong Nazirites. A Nazirite could be either male or female. They separated themselves to the Lord by making a special vow. In doing so they would separate themselves from certain things, such as wine or strong drink. Indeed they were to abstain from anything associated with wine. So grapes were out of bounds altogether. The instructions here clearly indicate that being a Nazirite was for a limited period of time. During the time of being a Nazirite the person was not to cut their hair at all.
6:6-12
A Nazirite was not to even go near a dead body. This applied even if the person was a very close relative. Maybe Jesus’ words about loving Him more than our nearest relatives are somehow linked to this? During the period of separation the person was “holy to the Lord”. Arrangements are made for the case where someone next to the Nazirite died suddenly and the Nazirite could not avoid it.
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