Besides the religious nature of this institution, it seems to
have been partly of a civil and prudential use. The sobriety
and temperance which the Nazarites were obliged to observe
were very conducive to health. Accordingly, they were
celebrated for their fair and ruddy complexion; being said to
be both whiter than milk and more ruddy than rubies (La 4:7);
the sure signs of a sound and healthy constitution. It may
here be observed, that when God intended to raise up Samson,
by his strength of body, to scourge the enemies of Israel, he
ordered, that from his infancy he should drink no wine, but
live by the rule of the Nazarites, because that would greatly
contribute to make him strong and healthy; intending, after
nature had done her utmost to form this extraordinary
instrument of his providence, to supply her defect by his own
supernatural power. See Jenning's Jewish Antiquities, B. I.
c. 8.
Le 10:9 Jud 13:14 Pr 31:4,5 Jer 35:6-8 Am 2:12 Lu 1:15
Lu 7:33,34 21:34 Eph 5:18 1Th 5:22 1Ti 5:23
|