CHAPTER VII

Of the Picture of our Saviour with long hair.

Another Picture there is of our Saviour described with long hair, according to the custom of the _Jews_, and his description sent by _Lentulus_ unto the Senate. Wherein indeed the hand of the Painter is not accusable, but the judgement of the common Spectator; conceiving he observed this fashion of his hair; because he was a _Nazarite_, and confounding a _Nazarite_ by vow, with those by birth or education.

The _Nazarite_ by vow is declared, _Numb._ 6. And was to refrain three things, drinking of Wine, cutting the hair, and approaching unto the dead; and such a one was _Sampson_. Now that our Saviour was a _Nazarite_ after this kind, we have no reason to determine; for he drank Wine, and was therefore called by the _Pharisees_, a Wine-bibber; he approached also the dead, as when he raised from death _Lazarus_, and the daughter of _Jairus_.

The other _Nazarite_ was a Topical appellation, and appliable unto such as were born in _Nazareth_, a City of _Galilee_, and in the Tribe of _Napthali_. Neither if strictly taken was our Saviour in this sense a _Nazarite_; for he was born in _Bethlehem_ in the Tribe of _Judah_; but might receive that name, because he abode in that City; and was not only conceived therein, but there also passed the silent part of his life, after his return from _Ægypt_; as is delivered by _Matthew_, And he came and dwelt in a City called _Nazareth_, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet, He shall be called a _Nazarene_. Both which kinds of _Nazarites_, as they are distinguishable by _Zain_, and _Tsade_ in the Hebrew, so in the Greek, by _Alpha_ and _Omega_; for as _Jansenius_ observeth, [SN: Ians. Concordia Evangelica.] where the votary _Nazarite_ is mentioned, it is written, Ναζαραῖός, as _Levit._ 6. and _Lament._ 4. Where it is spoken of our Saviour, we read it, Ναζωρεῖος, as in _Matthew_, _Luke_ and _John_; only _Mark_ who writ his Gospel at _Rome_, did Latinize, and wrote it Ναζαρηνός.