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Historical Background for Acts 18:18
The vow mentioned in Acts 18:18 indicates that Paul was most likely under a "Nazirite Vow". It's likely that Paul made the vow while encountering danger in Corinth, and here ends the vow and cuts his hair in thankfulness for the protection God gave him. Here's some background the Nazirite vow:
"Although chronologically not the first biblical reference to the subject, the rules for the Nazirite outlined in Nu. 6 provide the fullest and most convenient basis for discussion. The legislation has three sections.
a. Prohibitions
(i) The Nazirite had to abstain from wine and intoxicating drinks, vinegar and raisins. This may have been aimed at safeguarding the integrity and holiness of the Nazirite from possession by a spirit other than that of Yahweh (cf. Pr. 20:1). Like an officiating priest, the Nazirite renounced wine so as the more worthily to approach God. R. Kittel, however, sees in the abstention a protest against Canaanite culture, and a desire to return to nomadic customs (Geschichte des Volkes Israel6, 2, 1925, p. 250).
(ii) He must not cut his hair during the time of consecration (cf. nāzîr = ‘unpruned vine’, Lv. 25:5, 11). The hair was regarded as the seat of life, ‘the favourite abode of spirits and magical influences’, to be kept in its natural state until its burning ensured its disappearance without fear of profanation.
(iii) He must not go near a dead body, even that of his nearest relation, a prohibition which applied also in the case of the high priest.
b. Violation
If the last-named rule were inadvertently broken, the Nazirite had to undergo closely-detailed purificatory rites, and to begin all over again. It is notable, however, that the terms of the Nazirite vow did not preclude the carrying out of other domestic and social duties.
c. Completion
At the end of his vow the Nazirite had to offer various prescribed sacrifices, and thereafter cut his hair and burn it on the altar. After certain ritual acts by the priest, the Nazirite was freed from his vow.
The distinctive features of the original Nazirite were a complete consecration to Yahweh, in which the body, not regarded merely as something to be restrained, was enlisted into holy service; an extension to the layman of a holiness usually associated only with the priest." [1]
Historical Background for Acts 18:18
The vow mentioned in Acts 18:18 indicates that Paul was most likely under a "Nazirite Vow". It's likely that Paul made the vow while encountering danger in Corinth, and here ends the vow and cuts his hair in thankfulness for the protection God gave him. Here's some background the Nazirite vow:
"Although chronologically not the first biblical reference to the subject, the rules for the Nazirite outlined in Nu. 6 provide the fullest and most convenient basis for discussion. The legislation has three sections.
a. Prohibitions
(i) The Nazirite had to abstain from wine and intoxicating drinks, vinegar and raisins. This may have been aimed at safeguarding the integrity and holiness of the Nazirite from possession by a spirit other than that of Yahweh (cf. Pr. 20:1). Like an officiating priest, the Nazirite renounced wine so as the more worthily to approach God. R. Kittel, however, sees in the abstention a protest against Canaanite culture, and a desire to return to nomadic customs (Geschichte des Volkes Israel6, 2, 1925, p. 250).
(ii) He must not cut his hair during the time of consecration (cf. nāzîr = ‘unpruned vine’, Lv. 25:5, 11). The hair was regarded as the seat of life, ‘the favourite abode of spirits and magical influences’, to be kept in its natural state until its burning ensured its disappearance without fear of profanation.
(iii) He must not go near a dead body, even that of his nearest relation, a prohibition which applied also in the case of the high priest.
b. Violation
If the last-named rule were inadvertently broken, the Nazirite had to undergo closely-detailed purificatory rites, and to begin all over again. It is notable, however, that the terms of the Nazirite vow did not preclude the carrying out of other domestic and social duties.
c. Completion
At the end of his vow the Nazirite had to offer various prescribed sacrifices, and thereafter cut his hair and burn it on the altar. After certain ritual acts by the priest, the Nazirite was freed from his vow.
The distinctive features of the original Nazirite were a complete consecration to Yahweh, in which the body, not regarded merely as something to be restrained, was enlisted into holy service; an extension to the layman of a holiness usually associated only with the priest." [1]
[1] D. R. W. Wood and I. Howard Marshall, New Bible Dictionary, 3rd ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1996), 808-09.
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