Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsNumbers 6

Will consecrate themselves.

To such as of their own accord would bind themselves by vow to certain things not commanded, ^[1] God prescribeth a Rule containing three special observations; not to drink wine, or any thing that may make drunk; not to cut their hair; and not to touch a dead corpse. He appointeth likewise rites in making this profession, & calleth the professed Nazareites, that is segregated or separated from the ordinary state of people; though it was, for most part but for a time, to be limited by the parties themselves, and in some perpetual ^[2], as in Samson. Iudic. 13. Now what do Nazareites signify, saith S. Gregory (li. 33. c. 23. Moral.) but those that abstain and contain voluntarily from things otherwise lawful? ^[3] As from eating flesh, either for certain days and times, or altogether; from Marriage; from propriety in worldly goods, and the like.

• 1 God prescribed the rule of Nazareites, & the rites of their consecration.
• 2 The same was a figure of vows both temporal and perpetual.
• 3 S. Aug. q. 52. in li. Iudic.