He shall be called a "Nazarene"

Here is the verse in context that speaks of Jesus being called a Nazarene and dwelling in a city called Nazareth:

"Matthew 2:21 And he [Joseph] arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

Matthew 2:22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

Matthew 2:23 "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."

Jesus was not called a Nazarene because he dwelt in a city called Nazareth.  Nor could he be called a Nazarite, according to the law of Moses, because he drank the liquor of the grapes. Numbers 6:3.

Jesus was called a Nazarene because he moved to parts of Galilee (including the city of Nazareth) that separated him from his brethren in Bethlehem, Judea.  Do you remember, the decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed?

 " ... and all went to be taxed every one into his own city.  And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David."  Luke 2:3-4

The problems that are associated with Jesus being called a Nazarene can be resolved if "Nazorean" was a religious title of a consecrated prince to God who was separated from among his brethren.

#5139 nazir, a Nazarite, a consecrated prince to God, from among and in preference to all his brethren.

Joseph, the son of Jacob, was a nazir hundreds of years before the law for a Nazarite was given --or the city called Nazareth was known. Joseph was called a Nazir because he was a consecrated prince to God who was separated from his brethren:

Genesis 49:26 THE PROPHECY OF JACOB

26  The blessings1293 of thy father1 have prevailed1396 above5921 the blessings1293 of my progenitors2029 unto5704 the utmost bound8379 of the everlasting5769 hills:1389 they shall be1961 on the head7218 of Joseph,3130 and on the crown of the head6936 of him that was separate from***5139*** his brethren.251

Deut 33:16 THE PROPHECY OF MOSES

16  And for the precious things4480, 4022 of the earth776 and fullness4393 thereof, and for the good will7522 of him that dwelt7931 in the bush:5572 let the blessing come935 upon the head7218 of Joseph,3130 and upon the top of the head6936 of him that was separated***5139*** from his brethren.251

The life of Joseph, the son of Jacob, is proof that Jesus Christ of Nazareth did not even need to live in a city called`Nazareth; nor did he need to take the vow of a Nazarite to
be called a Nazorean.

Donna Kupp