Numbers 6:3 he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

◄ Numbers 6:3 ►

New International Version
they must abstain from wine and other fermented drink and must not drink vinegar made from wine or other fermented drink. They must not drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins.

New Living Translation
they must give up wine and other alcoholic drinks. They must not use vinegar made from wine or from other alcoholic drinks, they must not drink fresh grape juice, and they must not eat grapes or raisins.

English Standard Version
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink and shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried.

Berean Standard Bible
he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

King James Bible
He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

New King James Version
he shall separate himself from wine and similar drink; he shall drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from similar drink; neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins.

New American Standard Bible
he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall consume no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes.

NASB 1995
he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes.

NASB 1977
he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, neither shall he drink any grape juice, nor eat fresh or dried grapes.

Legacy Standard Bible
he shall abstain as a Nazirite from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes.

Amplified Bible
he shall abstain from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar, whether made from wine or strong drink, nor shall he drink any grape juice nor eat fresh or dried grapes.

Christian Standard Bible
he is to abstain from wine and beer. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or from beer. He must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
he is to abstain from wine and beer. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or from beer. He must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

American Standard Version
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he 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.

Contemporary English Version
you must no longer drink any wine or beer or use any kind of vinegar. Don't drink grape juice or eat grapes or raisins--

English Revised Version
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink; he shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Nazirites must never drink wine, liquor, vinegar made from wine or liquor, or any kind of grape juice, and they must never eat fresh grapes or raisins.

Good News Translation
shall abstain from wine and beer. You shall not drink any kind of drink made from grapes or eat any grapes or raisins.

International Standard Version
then is to remain separate from wine and strong drink. He is not to drink vinegar or strong drink made from wine. He is not to drink grape juice or eat grapes, whether fresh or dried.

Majority Standard Bible
he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins.

NET Bible
he must separate himself from wine and strong drink, he must drink neither vinegar made from wine nor vinegar made from strong drink, nor may he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or raisins.

New Heart English Bible
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.

Webster's Bible Translation
He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

World English Bible
he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
he keeps separate from wine and strong drink; he does not drink vinegar of wine and vinegar of strong drink, and he does not drink any juice of grapes, and he does not eat moist or dry grapes;

Young's Literal Translation
from wine and strong drink he doth keep separate; vinegar of wine, and vinegar of strong drink he doth not drink, and any juice of grapes he doth not drink, and grapes moist or dry he doth not eat;

Smith's Literal Translation
From wine and strong drink he shall be separated; vinegar of wine and vinegar of strong drink he shall not drip and the steeping of grapes he shall not drink, and grapes fresh and dry, he shall not eat.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
They shall abstain from wine, and from every thing that may make a man drunk. They shall not drink vinegar of wine, or of any other drink, nor any thing that is pressed out of the grape: nor shall they eat grapes either fresh or dried.

Catholic Public Domain Version
shall abstain from wine and from anything which is able to inebriate. They shall not drink vinegar made from wine or from any other drink, nor anything pressed from the grape. They shall not eat grapes, neither fresh nor dried.

New American Bible
they shall abstain from wine and strong drink; they may neither drink wine vinegar, other vinegar, or any kind of grape juice, nor eat either fresh or dried grapes.

New Revised Standard Version
they shall separate themselves from wine and strong drink; they shall drink no wine vinegar or other vinegar, and shall not drink any grape juice or eat grapes, fresh or dried.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
He shall abstain from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, or eat grapes or raisins;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Shall separate from wine and from strong drink; such shall not drink vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong liquor nor shall drink any juice of grapes nor shall eat grapes or raisins.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
he shall abstain from wine and strong drink: he shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
he shall purely abstain from wine and strong drink; and he shall drink no vinegar of wine or vinegar of strong drink; and whatever is made of the grape he shall not drink; neither shall he eat fresh grapes or raisins,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Nazirite Vow
…2“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to the LORD, 3he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. 4All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Judges 13:4
Now please be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, and not to eat anything unclean.

Judges 13:7
But he said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. Now, therefore, do not drink wine or strong drink, and do not eat anything unclean, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb until the day of his death.’”

Judges 13:14
She must not eat anything that comes from the vine, nor drink any wine or strong drink, nor eat anything unclean. She must do everything I have commanded her.”

Leviticus 10:9
“You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink when you enter the Tent of Meeting, or else you will die; this is a permanent statute for the generations to come.

Amos 2:12
“But you made the Nazirites drink wine and commanded the prophets not to prophesy.

Luke 1:15
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall never take wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.

Proverbs 31:4-5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, / lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

1 Samuel 1:11
And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”

1 Samuel 1:15
“No, my lord,” Hannah replied. “I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have not had any wine or strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the LORD.

Jeremiah 35:6
“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine.

Jeremiah 35:14
The words of Jonadab son of Rechab have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk it to this very day because they have obeyed the command of their forefather. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you have not obeyed Me!

Daniel 1:8
But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself.

Romans 14:21
It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.

Ephesians 5:18
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to reckless indiscretion. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

1 Timothy 3:3
not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money.

Treasury of Scripture

He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink, and shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of strong drink, neither shall he drink any liquor of grapes, nor eat moist grapes, or dried.

Leviticus 10:9
Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:

Judges 13:14
She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe.

Proverbs 31:4,5
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: …

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Numbers 6

1. The law of the Nazarite in the days of his separation
13. And after their completion
22. The form of blessing the people

Berean Study Bible

He is to abstain from wine and strong drink
He is to abstain
The Hebrew root for "abstain" is "נָזַר" (nazar), which means to separate or consecrate oneself. This word is foundational to the concept of the Nazirite vow, a special commitment to God involving separation from certain worldly pleasures and practices. The act of abstaining is not merely about avoiding something but is a proactive dedication to holiness and a deeper relationship with God. In a spiritual sense, this abstention is a call to Christians to consider what they might set aside in their own lives to grow closer to God.

from wine
The Hebrew word for "wine" is "יַיִן" (yayin), a common beverage in ancient Israel, often associated with joy and celebration. However, in the context of the Nazirite vow, wine represents earthly pleasures that can distract from spiritual focus. The abstention from wine symbolizes a commitment to finding joy and fulfillment in God alone, rather than in material or temporary pleasures. This reflects a broader biblical principle of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

and strong drink
The term "strong drink" comes from the Hebrew "שֵׁכָר" (shekar), referring to fermented beverages other than wine, such as beer or other intoxicating liquors. In ancient times, these drinks were part of social and religious gatherings. The Nazirite's abstention from strong drink underscores a life of discipline and self-control, avoiding anything that might impair judgment or lead to moral compromise. For Christians, this can be seen as a metaphor for avoiding influences that could lead one away from a Christ-centered life.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink . . . --The law of the Nazirite in this respect, as in regard to defilement from the dead, was more strict than that which was enjoined upon the priests, thus typifying the entire surrender of the heart and life to God, and freedom from the distraction of earthly ties. The ideal of this separation, however, was not that of a life of monastic seclusion, but of action, and of uninterrupted devotion to the Divine service. The priests were forbidden to drink wine, or strong drink, when they entered the tabernacle to perform service there, but were not prohibited the use of wine at other times. Strong drink (shecar) is supposed to have been made of barley and dates or honey. The prohibition to eat any of the produce of the vine, even of that which was not intoxicating, seems designed to denote the entire consecration of the Nazirite to the Divine service, and the obligation which rested upon him to abstain from all the desires and delights of the flesh. The love of cakes made of raisins is coupled in Hosea 3:1 with idolatry.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - Strong drink. Hebrew, shekar; σίκερα (Leviticus 10:9; Luke 1:15). Any intoxicating drink, other than wine including the beer of the Egyptians. Vinegar. Hebrew, chamets. It seems to have been freely used by the poorer people (Ruth 2:14), and was, perhaps, a thin, sour wine ("vile potet acctum," Horat.). Liquor of grapes. A drink made by soaking grape-skins in water.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

he is to abstain
יַזִּ֔יר (yaz·zîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5144: To hold aloof, abstain, to set apart, devote

from wine
מִיַּ֤יִן (mî·ya·yin)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

and strong drink.
וְשֵׁכָר֙ (wə·šê·ḵār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7941: An intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor

He must not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

drink
יִשְׁתֶּ֑ה (yiš·teh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

vinegar
חֹ֥מֶץ (ḥō·meṣ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2558: Vinegar

made from wine
יַ֛יִן (ya·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196: Wine, intoxication

[or] strong drink,
שֵׁכָ֖ר (šê·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7941: An intoxicant, intensely alcoholic liquor

and he must not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

drink
יִשְׁתֶּ֔ה (yiš·teh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8354: To imbibe

any
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

grape
עֲנָבִים֙ (‘ă·nā·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6025: A grape

juice
מִשְׁרַ֤ת (miš·raṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 4952: Maceration, steeped juice

or eat
יֹאכֵֽל׃ (yō·ḵêl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

fresh
לַחִ֥ים (la·ḥîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3892: Fresh, unused, undried

grapes
וַעֲנָבִ֛ים (wa·‘ă·nā·ḇîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6025: A grape

or raisins.
וִיבֵשִׁ֖ים (wî·ḇê·šîm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 3002: Dry, dried

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OT Law: Numbers 6:3 He shall separate himself from wine (Nu Num.)