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Topic:
Thoughts
And Things Of The Bible -- Beard
The mode of wearing a beard was definitely prescribed to the Jews (Lev.
19:27; 21:5). In Ezekiel (5:1-4) we find a description of the
"razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence, being used
against the guilty nation of the Jews. It was a part of a Jew's daily
toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume (Ps. 133:2). Beards were
trimmed with the most fastidious care (2 Sam. 19:24), and their neglect
was an indication of deep sorrow (Isa. 15:2; Jer. 41:5). The custom was to
shave or pluck off the hair as a sign of mourning (Isa. 50:6; Jer. 48:37;
Ezra 9:3). The beards of David's ambassadors were cut off by Hanun (2 Sam.
10:4) as a mark of indignity. On the other hand, the Egyptians carefully
shaved the hair off their faces, and they compelled their slaves to do so
also (Gen. 41:14).
Western Asiatics have always cherished the beard as the badge of the
dignity of manhood, and attached to it the importance of a feature. The
Egyptians, on the contrary for the most part shaved the hair of the face
and head, though we find some instances to the contrary. The beard is the
object of an oath, and that on which blessing or shame is spoken of as
resting. To neglect a beard is an indication of being in seasons of
permanent affliction, (2 Samuel 19:24) and to regard any insult to the
beard as the last outrage which enmity can inflict. (2 Samuel 10:4) The
beard was the object of salutation. (2 Samuel 20:9) The dressing,
trimming, anointing, etc., of the beard was performed with much ceremony
by persons of wealth and rank (Psalms 133:2) The removal of the beard was
a part of the ceremonial treatment proper to a leper. (Leviticus 14:9)
Derived from Easton's and Smith's Bible Dictionaries
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