Say to the people of Israel introduces a quote within a quote that continues until the end of verse 21. God tells Moses what to say to the Israelites.
When either a man or a woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite …: The text clearly makes the point that women as well as men can become Nazirites, and that the instructions apply to both. The masculine forms that follow in the rest of this section (for example, he and himself) are meant to refer to the women as well as the men. This may be awkward in some receptor languages. If so, translators may follow New Revised Standard Version, which uses third person plural pronouns to refer to both men and women (for example, “they” and “themselves”), as long as it is clear that this section involves individual people. For most of the section Good News Translation uses second person singular pronouns (for example, “you” and “yourself”), which some languages may find helpful.
Makes a special vow renders two Hebrew verbs. The first verb is palaʾ, whose meaning is not quite certain. It seems to refer to some extraordinary activity, so a better rendering here is “makes an exceptional/extraordinary vow” (Nije Fryske Bibeloersetting). New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh says “explicitly utters … a vow,” which is more speculative, so we do not recommend it as a model.
As the Revised Standard Version footnote indicates, the Hebrew word for Nazirite (nazir) means “one separated” or “one consecrated.” It implies a special devotion to the LORD’s service. So this term does not just refer to a person who makes a promise or swears an oath. Translators should avoid this wrong meaning, especially in some receptor languages where a similar term already exists. The term Nazirite may be transliterated, which most translations do (so Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation). If translators adopt this solution, the word Nazirite can be explained in the glossary or in a footnote.
To separate himself to the LORD: The Hebrew verb rendered separate himself comes from the same root as the word for Nazirite. As the following verses show, this dedication takes the form of abstinence as an outward symbol of the person’s dedication to God. The Nazirite must keep away from certain things. Separate himself or “set himself apart” expresses better the meaning of the verb here and the wordplay on it than “dedicate yourself” in Good News Translation.
He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink: Separate himself renders the same Hebrew verb as in the previous clause. Wine is fermented grape juice. It is known in most parts of the world, but in areas where it is not, translators may use a loanword (for example, waini in Tonga, vinyo in Chewa, and vino in Russian) or a descriptive expression, such as “fermented fruit juice” or “fermented juice from the fruit growing on vines.” In these languages it will also be helpful to add a glossary entry on the expression for wine. We do not recommend a local cultural substitute, such as palm wine, since grape wine is an important term in the Bible. It should not be confused with beer or other drinks that are made from grains such as corn or barley. In this context the Hebrew word for strong drink refers to any other intoxicating drinks, such as “beer” (Good News Translation) or something stronger. New Jewish Publication Society’s Tanakh renders wine and strong drink as “wine and any other intoxicant.” Another possible model is “wine and any other alcoholic drinks.”
He shall drink no vinegar made from wine or strong drink: Vinegar made from wine or strong drink refers to alcoholic drinks that have been fermented to the point of becoming sour. Water was sometimes mixed with wine vinegar for a refreshing, thirst-quenching drink.
And shall not drink any juice of grapes or eat grapes, fresh or dried: A Nazirite must not eat or drink anything made from grapes, including grape juice, fresh grapes, and dried grapes (that is, raisins).
Quoted with permission from de Regt, Lénart J. and Wendland, Ernst R. A Handbook on Numbers. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2016. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .