<\/p>\n
And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene. <\/i>Matthew 2:23<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Jesus was a Nazarene. \u00a0His followers were later also called Nazarenes. \u00a0It is interesting to note what is said about Paul in Acts 24:5 and how he responds in the verses following:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and <\/i>a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes<\/b><\/u><\/i>:<\/i> Acts 24:5<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. <\/i>But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets<\/b><\/u><\/i>:<\/i> Acts 24:10-14<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The name Nazarene was applied to someone who came from Nazareth. Jesus’ followers were called Nazarenes. \u00a0They possibly took the name in honor of Jesus who was called a Nazarene or they may have been called that name in a derogatory way related to the question “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Another possibility (if they chose that name for themselves) may stem from what the word actually means in Hebrew. “Nazarenes” is translated from natsariym<\/i> which is a plural form of natsar<\/i>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H5341 <\/b><\/span><\/span>\u05e0\u05e6\u05e8 <\/span><\/span>na\u0302tsar naw-tsar’<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.): – besieged, hidden thing, keep (-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve (-r), subtil, watcher (-man).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n This word is used frequently in Psalms in a very interesting way.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such <\/i>as <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> his covenant<\/i> and his testimonies<\/i>. Psalm 25:10<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, <\/i>but <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> his <\/i>commandments:<\/i> Psalm 78:7<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n That they might observe his statutes, <\/i>and <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> his laws<\/i>. Praise ye the LORD.<\/i> Psalm 105:45<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Blessed are they <\/i>that <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> his <\/i>testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.<\/i> Psalm 119:2<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have <\/i>kept<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> thy <\/i>testimonies<\/i>. Psalm 119:22<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; and I <\/i>shall <\/i>keep<\/b><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/i><\/sup> it<\/i> unto the end.<\/i> Psalm 119:33<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Give me understanding, and I <\/i>shall <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> thy <\/i>law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.<\/i> Psalm 119:34<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n The proud have forged a lie against me: but I <\/i>will <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> thy <\/i>precepts with my whole heart<\/i>. Psalm 119:69<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> the <\/i>commandments of my God<\/i>. Psalm 119:115<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> them<\/i>. Psalm 119:129<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I <\/i>will <\/i>keep<\/b><\/u><\/i>H5341<\/b><\/u><\/i><\/sup> thy <\/i>statutes.<\/i> Psalm 119:145<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n From these texts we could conclude that “Nazarenes” (natsariym<\/i>) are keepers of God’s laws, precepts, statutes, etc.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I would like to point out that Nazarenes and Nazarites are not the same. The Hebrew words are very different in meaning even though there may be some similarities in the way they sound.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Nazarite–<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H5139<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u05e0\u05d6\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d6\u05d9\u05e8 <\/span><\/span>na\u0302z\u0131\u0302yr na\u0302zir <\/span>naw-zeer’,<\/i><\/span> naw-zeer’<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n From <\/span>H5144<\/u><\/span>; <\/span>separate<\/i><\/span>, that is, consecrated (as <\/span>prince<\/i><\/span>, a <\/span>Nazirite<\/i><\/span>); hence (figuratively from the latter) an <\/span>unpruned<\/i><\/span> vine (like an unshorn Nazirite). (The translation, <\/span>Nazarite<\/i><\/span>, is by a false alliteration with Nazareth.): – Nazarite [by a false alliteration with Nazareth], separate (-d), vine undressed.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H5144<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u05e0\u05d6\u05e8 <\/span><\/span>na\u0302zar <\/span>naw-zar’<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A primitive root; to <\/span>hold<\/i><\/span> aloof<\/i><\/span>, that is, (intransitively) <\/span>abstain<\/i><\/span> (from food and drink, from impurity, and even from divine worship (that is, <\/span>apostatize<\/i><\/span>)); specifically to <\/span>set<\/i><\/span> apart<\/i><\/span> (to sacred purposes), that is, <\/span>devote: – <\/i><\/span>consecrate, separate (-ing, self).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Nazarene–<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n H5341 <\/b><\/span><\/span>\u05e0\u05e6\u05e8 <\/span><\/span>na\u0302tsar naw-tsar’<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n A primitive root; to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.): – besieged, hidden thing, keep (-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve (-r), subtil, watcher (-man).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Was Jesus a Nazarene for more than one reason?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. <\/i>Matthew 5:17, 18<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n