The Nazirite vow is described in Numbers 6:1-21. A Nazirite voluntarily separated himself unto the LORD by three outward signs: (1) abstaining from wine and all grape products, (2) letting his hair grow uncut, and (3) avoiding all contact with the dead, even close family. The vow was usually for a fixed period, after which the Nazirite shaved his head at the tabernacle and offered sacrifices. Three Nazirites in Scripture were consecrated for life from the womb: Samson (Judges 13), Samuel (1 Samuel 1), and John the Baptist (Luke 1:15). The Nazirite was not holier than other Israelites; the vow was a visible picture of what all Israel was called to be — a consecrated, separated people. Paul himself took a Nazirite-style vow in Acts 18:18 and 21:23-26, showing that the principle of voluntary consecration persists in the New Covenant even though the ceremonial law has been fulfilled.