1. THE NAZARITE’S HAIR – STRENGTH, KINGSHIP AND PRIESTHOOD TO GOD

The vow of the Nazarite was a special period of separation (H 5145/nezer) that God required  Jewish men and women to make.  During the period, the Nazarite was required to abstain from dead bodies, wine and strong drink and any fruit of  the vine (grapes). The Nazarite was also commanded to grow the hair long. 

The Nazarite’s hair or locks  was a sign of “the consecration of his God” (Numbers 6: 7).  The “consecretion (H 5145/nezer) of his God” referred to the fact that the hair of the Nazarite looked like a holy crown on his or head.

The Hebrew word “nezer” is used prophetically in scripture to instruct believers that we need periods of discipline in which we should separate ourselves unto the Lord. However,  its usage also points to a deeper meaning of the believer as a King and Priest unto God – the Nazarite represented the entire Jewish race and other believers who enter the Kingdom of God. We are Kings and Priests unto our God.

We see this because Nezer is also used synonymously in the scriptures to denote:

  • the separation of the Nazarite from dead bodies, wine and fruit from the vine
  • the hair of the Nazarite representing the “consecration of his God”
  • the holy crown of the High Priest
  • crown of the anointing oil
  • crown placed on the head of a king
  • jeweled crown
  • joyfulness

God took the vow so seriously that Samson, who was separated by God as a Nazarite from birth,  lost his spiritual Kingly authority and became weak  when he permitted Delilah to shave his head (Judges 16: 17). This is the true meaning of the vow of the Nazarite.

2. THE NAZARITES WERE BLACK PEOPLE

This is revealed in Lamentations 4: 7 which revealed that the Nazarites had the same skin complexion as their forefather Adam. We know this because Prophet Jeremiah said that they were more “ruddy” in body or complexion than rubies (which are reddish jewels).  ‘Adam  is the  Hebrew word used for “ruddy” and it literally means skins “dyed red”.

The use of the word  ‘Adam  in reference to the Nazarites (Jews) in Bible times indicates that they had the same bronze complexion as their forefather Adam:

Her Nazarites were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing [was] of sapphire

The Nazarites and Jews were therefore Black People.

3. THE NAZARITES WORE THEIR HAIR LIKE A CROWN ON THEIR HEADS

The Nazarite’s hair was referred to as “locks”  (H 6545/pera`).  Pera` comes from a root word which carries the meaning of covering. We know, too, from the word “NEZER” that the Nazarites wore their hair in the shape of a crown on their heads.  We have already discovered that the covering was symbolic of their spiritual authority, kingship and priesthood.

4. WHAT DID THE NAZARITE’S HAIR LOOK LIKE

Since Samson the Strong Man was a Nazarite from birth, we will therefore use him as one of the illustrations of the Nazarite’s hair. According to the command given to his mother, he had never shaved his head until his disastrous love affair with Delilah (Judges 13: 5  & 16: 17). Here is  a description of his hair:

  • he had seven locks of hair on his head (Judges 16: 13).  Machlaphah is the Hebrew word used in reference to Samson’s  locks.  It means braid, lock, plait (Strong’s Dictionary in blueletterbible.com).
  • The seven locks of his hair could be weaved into an interlacing pattern with a “Web” or weaver’s loom.   Looms were used to weave threads in an interlacing manner.  This sounds very much like braiding and/or and interlocking technique.

Egyptian women weaving

5.  PROPHET EZEKIEL’S LOCKS LOOKED LIKE FRINGES

In a rather humorous manner, God lifted Prophet Ezekiel by a lock  of his head and carried him in the vision from Babylon to Jerusalem (Ezekiel 8: 3). We know that his hair was in individual locks because the word lock (tsiytsith /H  6724) also was used synonymously in scripture with fringes or tassels. 

Given the use of the word “fringes” we can see that Prophet Ezekiel appeared to have more abundant locks (tsiytsith /H  6724) than Samson, who only had seven.   Maybe seven locks  (Machlaphah)  on the head were not too heavy to wear around from the time of  his birth.

6. THE JEWS COMMONLY WORE THEIR LOCKS LIKE A VEIL AROUND THE FACE 

A search of the word “locks” in Strong’s reveals that  the Jews commonly wore their hair in locks (H 6777/tsammah).  Although Strong’s interprets tsammah  to mean “veil”, the context in which the word is used shows that the locks of hair were worn arond the face like a veil. This  comes through clearly in Isaiah 47: 2 in which the Prophet tells the people to uncover their locks. Why would you uncover your veil:

Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers.

7. CELEBRATE YOUR CREATIVE PURPOSE BY WEARING  YOUR HAIR IN LOCKS

We have come to the meaningful conclusion that God gave the lock and this particular coiled hair texture in order to celebrate Adam’s Kingship, Priesthood and Strength.  It is time for Black People to stop hiding our Crown Of Glory under relaxers, weaves and wigs. Unleash your strength and creativity by aligning yourself with your Creative Purpose. This is what I was told by Archangel Michael.

We must note that God did not require every Jew to wear the hair in locks. However, we need to celebrate our crowning glory. I have begun to wear locks and I must say personally that I have greater appreciation of my ancestry from Eden, I am also connected closer with God and discovered a greater creative strength.

Blessings – this post was given to me (like many others), by Archangel Gabriel. Celebrate Black History! – all the way from the Garden of Eden.

Mercedes