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◄ Numbers 6:20►

New International Version
The priest shall then wave these before the LORD as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

New Living Translation
Then the priest will lift them up as a special offering before the LORD. These are holy portions for the priest, along with the breast of the special offering and the thigh of the sacred offering that are lifted up before the LORD. After this ceremony the Nazirites may again drink wine.

English Standard Version
and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. They are a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is contributed. And after that the Nazirite may drink wine.

Berean Standard Bible
The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

King James Bible
And the priest shall wave themfor a wave offering before the LORD: thisis holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

New King James Version
and the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD; theyare holy for the priest, together with the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the heave offering. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.’

New American Standard Bible
Then the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. It is holy for the priest, together with the breastoffered as a wave offering, and the thighoffered as a contribution; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.’

NASB 1995
‘Then the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. It is holy for the priest, together with the breast offered by waving and the thigh offered by lifting up; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.’

NASB 1977
‘Then the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. It is holy for the priest, together with the breast offered by waving and the thigh offered by lifting up; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.’

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. It is holy for the priest, together with the breast offered by waving and the thigh offered by raising up; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.’

Amplified Bible
Then the priest shall wave them as a wave offering before the LORD; they are a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered by lifting up; and afterward the Nazirite may drink wine.’

Christian Standard Bible
The priest is to present them as a presentation offering before the LORD. It is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the presentation offering and the thigh of the contribution. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The priest is to wave them as a presentation offering before the LORD. It is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the presentation offering and the thigh of the contribution. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.”

American Standard Version
and the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before Jehovah; this is holy for the priest, together with the wave-breast and heave- thigh: and after that the Nazirite may drink wine.

Contemporary English Version
You will hand them back to the priest, who will lift them up in dedication to me. Then he can eat the meat from the ram's shoulder, its choice ribs, and its hind leg, because this is his share of the sacrifice. After this, you will no longer be a Nazirite, and you will be free to drink wine.

English Revised Version
and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD; this is holy for the priest, together with the wave breast and heave thigh: and after that the Nazirite may drink wine.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The priest will present them as an offering to the LORD. They are holy and belong to the priest, along with the ram's breast that is presented and the thigh that is given. After that, the Nazirites may drink wine.

Good News Translation
Next, the priest shall present them as a special gift to the LORD; they are a sacred offering for the priest, in addition to the breast and the leg of the ram which by law belong to the priest. After that, the nazirite may drink wine.

International Standard Version
The priest is to wave the offerings, that is, the breast and the thigh offering in the LORD's presence. Then the Nazirite may drink wine afterward.

NET Bible
then the priest must wave them as a wave offering before the LORD; it is a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the raised offering. After this the Nazirite may drink wine.'

New Heart English Bible
and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD. This is holy for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave-breast, and heave-shoulder: and after that, the Nazarite may drink wine.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

World English Bible
and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Yahweh. They are holy for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the priest has waved them [as] a wave-offering before YHWH; it [is] holy to the priest, besides the breast of the wave-offering, and besides the leg of the raised-offering; and afterward the Nazarite drinks wine.

Young's Literal Translation
and the priest hath waved them, a wave-offering before Jehovah; it is holy to the priest, besides the breast of the wave-offering, and besides the leg of the heave-offering; and afterwards doth the Nazarite drink wine.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the priest lifted them up a lifting up before Jehovah: it holy to the priest upon the breast of the lifting up and upon the leg of the offering: and afterwards, he being consecrated shall drink wine.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And receiving them again from him, he shall elevate them in the sight of the Lord: and they being sanctified shall belong to the priest, as the breast, which was commanded to be separated, and the shoulder. After this the Nazarite may drink wine.

Catholic Public Domain Version
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.

New American Bible
The priest shall then elevate them as an elevated offering before the LORD. They are an offering belonging to the priest, along with the brisket of the elevated offering and the leg of the contribution. Only after this may the nazirite drink wine.

New Revised Standard Version
Then the priest shall elevate them as an elevation offering before the LORD; they are a holy portion for the priest, together with the breast that is elevated and the thigh that is offered. After that the nazirites may drink wine.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and the shoulder; and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the Priest shall set them apart as a dedication before LORD JEHOVAH; it is holy to the Priest with the breast of dedication and with the shank of dedication, and then the Nazarite will drink wine.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the priest shall wave them for a wave-offering before the LORD; this is holy for the priest, together with the breast of waving and the thigh of heaving; and after that the Nazirite may drink wine.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the priest shall present them as an offering before the Lord; it shall be the holy portion for the priest beside the breast of the heave-offering and beside the shoulder of the wave-offering: and afterwards the votary shall drink wine.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Nazirite Vow
…19And the priest is to take the boiled shoulder from the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them into the hands of the Nazirite who has just shaved the hair of his consecration.20The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD.This is a holy portion for the priest,in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented.After that,the Nazirite may drink wine.21This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD for his separation, in addition to whatever else he can afford; he must fulfill whatever vow he makes, according to the law of his separation.”…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Leviticus 7:30-34
With his own hands he is to bring the food offerings to the LORD; he shall bring the fat, together with the breast, and wave the breast as a wave offering before the LORD. / The priest is to burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons. / And you are to give the right thigh to the priest as a contribution from your peace offering. ...

Exodus 29:27-28
Consecrate for Aaron and his sons the breast of the wave offering that is waved and the thigh of the heave offering that is lifted up from the ram of ordination. / This will belong to Aaron and his sons as a regular portion from the Israelites, for it is the heave offering the Israelites will make to the LORD from their peace offerings.

Leviticus 8:29
He also took the breast—Moses’ portion of the ram of ordination—and waved it before the LORD as a wave offering, as the LORD had commanded him.

Leviticus 10:14-15
And you and your sons and daughters may eat the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution in a ceremonially clean place, because these portions have been assigned to you and your children from the peace offerings of the sons of Israel. / They are to bring the thigh of the contribution and the breast of the wave offering, together with the fat portions of the food offerings, to wave as a wave offering before the LORD. It will belong permanently to you and your children, as the LORD has commanded.”

Leviticus 23:20
The priest is to wave the lambs as a wave offering before the LORD, together with the bread of the firstfruits. The bread and the two lambs shall be holy to the LORD for the priest.

1 Samuel 2:28
And out of all the tribes of Israel I selected your father to be My priest, to offer sacrifices on My altar, to burn incense, and to wear an ephod in My presence. I also gave to the house of your father all the food offerings of the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 18:3-5
This shall be the priests’ share from the people who offer a sacrifice, whether a bull or a sheep: the priests are to be given the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. / You are to give them the firstfruits of your grain, new wine, and oil, and the first wool sheared from your flock. / For the LORD your God has chosen Levi and his sons out of all your tribes to stand and minister in His name for all time.

2 Chronicles 31:4
Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.

Nehemiah 10:37-39
Moreover, we will bring to the priests at the storerooms of the house of our God the firstfruits of our dough, of our grain offerings, of the fruit of all our trees, and of our new wine and oil. A tenth of our produce belongs to the Levites, so that they shall receive tithes in all the towns where we labor. / A priest of Aaron’s line is to accompany the Levites when they collect the tenth, and the Levites are to bring a tenth of these tithes to the storerooms of the treasury in the house of our God. / For the Israelites and the Levites are to bring the contributions of grain, new wine, and oil to the storerooms where the articles of the sanctuary are kept and where the ministering priests, the gatekeepers, and the singers stay. Thus we will not neglect the house of our God.”

Ezekiel 44:30
The best of all the firstfruits and of every contribution from all your offerings will belong to the priests. You are to give your first batch of dough to the priest, so that a blessing may rest upon your homes.

Romans 15:16
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14
Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of its food, and those who serve at the altar partake of its offerings? / In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law commands the sons of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their brothers—though they too are descended from Abraham.

Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Treasury of Scripture

And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the LORD: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and heave shoulder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine.

the priest shall

Numbers 5:25
Then the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before the LORD, and offer it upon the altar:

Exodus 29:27,28
And thou shalt sanctify the breast of the wave offering, and the shoulder of the heave offering, which is waved, and which is heaved up, of the ram of the consecration,even ofthat whichis for Aaron, and ofthat which is for his sons: …

Leviticus 9:21
And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron wavedfor a wave offering before the LORD; as Moses commanded.

with the wave

Numbers 18:18
And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.

Leviticus 7:31,34
And the priest shall burn the fat upon the altar: but the breast shall be Aaron's and his sons'…

and after

Psalm 16:10,11
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption…

Ecclesiastes 9:7
Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.

Isaiah 25:6
And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.

Jump to Previous

Afterward Breast Drink Heave Heave-Offering Heave-Shoulder Heave-Thigh Heaving Holy Lifting Nazarite Nazirite Offered Offering Presented Shoulder Thigh Together Wave Wave-Breast Waved Wave-Offering Waving Wine

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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

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD.
In the context of ancient Israelite worship, the wave offering was a symbolic act of presenting a sacrifice to God. The priest would physically wave the offering, signifying its dedication to the LORD. This act demonstrated the priest's role as an intermediary between the people and God. The wave offering was part of the Nazirite vow, a special commitment to God involving abstinence from wine, not cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead. The waving of offerings is also seen in other parts of the Old Testament, such as inLeviticus 7:30-34, where it is part of the peace offerings. This act signifies the offering's acceptance by God and the priest's role in facilitating this sacred transaction.

This is a holy portion for the priest,
The term "holy portion" indicates that this part of the offering was set apart for the priest, emphasizing the sanctity and provision for those serving in the temple. In the Levitical system, priests did not have a land inheritance like the other tribes of Israel; instead, they were provided for through portions of the offerings (Numbers 18:8-20). This provision underscores the principle that those who serve in spiritual roles are supported by the community they serve, a concept echoed in the New Testament in1 Corinthians 9:13-14.

in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented.
The breast and thigh portions of the sacrifice were specifically designated for the priests, as outlined inLeviticus 7:31-34. These parts of the animal were considered choice cuts, symbolizing the honor and respect given to the priestly office. The allocation of these portions highlights the structured and orderly nature of worship in ancient Israel, where specific roles and responsibilities were clearly defined. This practice also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's provision for His servants.

After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.
The conclusion of the Nazirite vow allowed the individual to resume normal activities, including drinking wine, which had been prohibited during the vow (Numbers 6:3-4). This marks the completion of a period of special dedication to God, symbolizing a return to ordinary life after a time of heightened spiritual focus. The Nazirite vow is a precursor to the concept of temporary vows or fasts seen in later Jewish and Christian traditions. The lifting of the wine restriction signifies the fulfillment of the vow's requirements and the individual's renewed freedom, paralleling the New Testament theme of freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:1).

Persons / Places / Events

1.Nazirite
An individual who has taken a special vow of consecration to the LORD, abstaining from wine, cutting hair, and avoiding contact with the dead.

2.Priest
A mediator between God and the people, responsible for performing the wave offering and other sacrificial duties.

3.Wave Offering
A ritual act where offerings are presented and waved before the LORD, symbolizing dedication and consecration.

4.Heave Offering
A portion of the sacrifice lifted up as an offering to God, often given to the priests for their sustenance.

5.LORD (YHWH)
The covenant name of God, to whom the offerings and vows are dedicated.

Teaching Points

Holiness and Dedication
The Nazirite vow exemplifies a life set apart for God. Believers are called to live holy lives, dedicated to the LORD in all aspects.

Role of the Priest
The priest's role in mediating offerings points to Jesus Christ, our ultimate High Priest, who intercedes for us and sanctifies our offerings.

Symbolism of Offerings
The wave and heave offerings symbolize giving our best to God. Christians are encouraged to offer their lives as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

Completion of Vows
The completion of the Nazirite vow, marked by the ability to drink wine again, signifies the fulfillment of a period of consecration. It reminds believers of the importance of fulfilling commitments made to God.

Community and Support
The offerings provided for the priests highlight the importance of supporting those who serve in ministry, ensuring they have the resources needed to fulfill their calling.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Numbers 6:20?

2.How does Numbers 6:20 illustrate the importance of dedication to God today?

3.What role does the priest play in Numbers 6:20, and why is it significant?

4.How can we apply the concept of "holy" from Numbers 6:20 in our lives?

5.Connect Numbers 6:20 with Romans 12:1 on living as a "living sacrifice."

6.How does Numbers 6:20 encourage us to honor our commitments to God?

7.What is the significance of the Nazirite vow in Numbers 6:20?

8.How does Numbers 6:20 relate to the concept of holiness?

9.Why is the priest's wave offering important in Numbers 6:20?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 6?

11.What are the Bible's teachings on shaving?

12.What is the Bible's stance on hair length?

13.Numbers 6:9-12 -- Why would accidental defilement require repeating the entire vow and new sacrifices, suggesting a severe ritual focus that seems excessive?

14.Was Jesus considered a Nazirite?

What Does Numbers 6:20 Mean

The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD

• The priest lifts the elements (shoulder, unleavened cake, wafer) and moves them back and forth—an act of visibly presenting them to the God who sees (Exodus 29:24;Leviticus 7:30).

• Though waved toward heaven, the items remain on earth, picturing the union of divine ownership and earthly stewardship—fulfilled in Christ, our High Priest who entered heaven for us (Hebrews 9:24).

• The ceremony signals that the Nazirite’s dedication period has reached its climax; the vow has produced tangible worship.

This is a holy portion for the priest

• Once presented, the items are declared “holy,” set apart for priestly use, not common consumption (Leviticus 7:31–34).

• God provides for those who serve at the altar; the principle carries forward to gospel ministry (Deuteronomy 18:1–5;1 Corinthians 9:13).

• Holiness here is not abstract—it is concrete provision, reminding us that God’s servants rely on offerings sanctified for their support.

In addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented

• The priest receives multiple portions:

– The waved shoulder/cake/wafer of the Nazirite ceremony.

– The regular “breast” and “thigh” allotted from fellowship offerings (Exodus 29:27–28).

• The layering of gifts underscores God’s consistent generosity; every worshipper’s obedience results in priestly sustenance.

• Israel later faltered by despising these portions (1 Samuel 2:13–17).Numbers 6 safeguards both worship and priestly livelihood.

After that, the Nazirite may drink wine

• Wine had been banned for the duration of the vow (Numbers 6:3–4). Once the final offering is waved and accepted, normal life resumes.

• The sequence matters: worship first, privileges second. Obedience opens the door to rightful enjoyment of God’s gifts (Psalm 104:14–15;John 2:1–10).

• The completed vow foreshadows believers who, after consecration, share in the joy of restored fellowship through Christ (Luke 22:18;Acts 2:46).

Summary

Numbers 6:20 pictures the joyful closure of a Nazirite’s season of special devotion. The priest’s wave offering publicly acknowledges God’s receipt of the Nazirite’s gifts, sets apart holy portions for priestly support, and reaffirms the ongoing system of provision built into Israel’s worship. Only after this act does the Nazirite return to normal pleasures—proof that wholehearted dedication to the LORD brings both spiritual fulfillment and restored enjoyment of His good gifts.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 20. -Shall wave them. By putting his hands under the hands of the Nazirite. On the symbolism of this seeLeviticus 7.Drink wine. Perhaps at the sacrificial feast.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

The priest
הַכֹּהֵ֥ן ׀(hak·kō·hên)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priest

shall then wave
וְהֵנִיף֩(wə·hê·nîp̄)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5130:To move to and fro, wave, sprinkle

them
אוֹתָ֨ם(’ō·w·ṯām)
Direct object marker | third person masculine plural
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

as a wave offering
תְּנוּפָה֮(tə·nū·p̄āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8573:A brandishing, tumult, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings

before
לִפְנֵ֣י(lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440:The face

the LORD.
יְהוָה֒(Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

This
הוּא֙(hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

is a holy
קֹ֤דֶשׁ(qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944:A sacred place, thing, sanctity

portion for the priest,
לַכֹּהֵ֔ן(lak·kō·hên)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3548:Priest

in addition to
עַ֚ל(‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

the breast
חֲזֵ֣ה(ḥă·zêh)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2373:Breast (of animals)

of the wave offering
הַתְּנוּפָ֔ה(hat·tə·nū·p̄āh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8573:A brandishing, tumult, the official undulation of sacrificial offerings

and the thigh
שׁ֣וֹק(šō·wq)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7785:The, leg

that was presented.
הַתְּרוּמָ֑ה(hat·tə·rū·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8641:Contribution, offering (for sacred uses)

After that,
וְאַחַ֛ר(wə·’a·ḥar)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 310:The hind or following part

the Nazirite
הַנָּזִ֖יר(han·nā·zîr)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5139:Nazirite -- one consecrated, devoted

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

wine.
יָֽיִן׃(yā·yin)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3196:Wine, intoxication

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OT Law: Numbers 6:20 And the priest shall wave them (Nu Num.)