(Hebrew: to consecrate, to separate)
Among the Hebrews one separated from the common ways of men, and by vow consecrated to God. Though the vow of the Nazarite is pre-Mosaic, its codified form is found in Numbers 6. According to this law, Nazarites might be of either sex. They were bound not to cut the hair or beard; to abstain from any wine, or fruit of the vine, or any strong drink; not to touch a dead Roman body or enter the house of the dead; and to offer sacrifices proper to their state. The Nazarite vow was either perpetual or temporary, the minimum being 30 days. Similar custom exists among the Arabs.