Catholic Public Domain Version
Numbers 6:20
“And receiving them again from him, he shall elevate them in the sight of the Lord. And having been sanctified, these shall be for the priest, as also the breast, which was ordered to be separated, and the leg. After this, the Nazarite is able to drink wine.”
Verse Explanation
A saved explanation for Numbers 6:20.
Plain-language explanation
Numbers 6:20 closes the Nazarite’s vow: after the required offerings are completed, the priest “elevates” the parts before the Lord—showing they are given to God. The verse also notes that what has been set apart becomes the priest’s, and that only after this is the Nazarite allowed to return to ordinary life, symbolized by being able to drink wine again.
Catholic context
Many Catholics read this as a picture of consecration and restoration: the Nazarite’s life is set apart for God, and when the vow is fully completed, the person can return to normal practices. The emphasis on offerings being “for the priest” and “in the sight of the Lord” highlights that worship is not only inward, but also expressed through concrete, ordered acts of obedience.
Historical background
In ancient Israel, a Nazirite vow was a voluntary special time of dedication to God (with specific practices, including restrictions like abstaining from wine). This passage comes at the end of the vow period. The priest performs prescribed rituals—particularly lifting/elevating the offerings—so the vow’s conclusion is marked clearly and publicly before God and the community.
Reflection
This verse reminds us that real devotion has an “order”: we give ourselves to God, we complete what we promised, and we allow God to bring us back into peace and normal life. It also suggests that worship involves both the heart and visible offerings—our intentions and our actions belong together.
Practical takeaway
If you’ve been “vowing” yourself to something good—prayer, fasting, service, a commitment—take one step to complete it faithfully (or responsibly adjust it). Also, when you sense you’re trying to “return to normal,” do it in a way that honors what you promised God.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the grace to belong to You. Help me keep my commitments with integrity and finish what I set before You. When I return to ordinary life, keep my heart consecrated to You. Through Christ our Lord, amen.