Numbers 6:5—Paul, Nazarites, and Bad Hair Days: Context Clears the Confusion
The Bible Difficulties and Answers Podcast
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Show Notes
Host Lance Smith tackles an apparent contradiction between Numbers 6 and 1 Corinthians 11 about men’s long hair, showing that the Nazarite vow’s uncut hair was a temporary sign of consecration while Paul’s instruction addressed everyday worship practices in Corinth.
By exploring cultural and textual context — including Paul’s own vow in Acts 18 — Smith explains there’s no contradiction, only different purposes and settings for the same symbol.
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- Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI
- “What is the Nazirite/Nazarite vow?” GotQuestions.org. https://www.gotquestions.org/Nazirite-vow.html
- “Numbers 6: The Nazirite Vow.” oneandall.church. https://www.oneandall.church/story/numbers-6-the-nazirite-vow
- “The Head Covering: 1 Corinthians 11 – Part Three.” unraveledfaith.ca. https://www.unraveledfaith.ca/post/the-head-covering-1-corinthians-11-part-three
- “The Cultural Context for the Hair Length/Style vs. Head Coverings Debate in 1 Cor 11.” theologyintheraw.com. https://theologyintheraw.com/the-cultural-context-for-the-hair-length-style-vs-head-coverings-debate-in-1-cor-11-the-meaning-of-kephale-part-12/
- “Paul, the Head Covering: An Alternative Interpretation.” kuyperian.com. https://kuyperian.com/paul-the-head-covering-an-alternative-interpretation/