Beard
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. The custom was and is to shave or pluck it and the hair out in mourning, (Ezra 9:3; Isaiah 15:2; 50:6; Jeremiah 41:5; 48:37) Bar.
6:31; to neglect it in seasons of permanent affliction, (2 Samuel 19:24) and to regard any insult to it 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)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Beard
Beard berd: ⇒See a list of verses on BEARD in the Bible. (1) Western Semites in general, according to the monuments, wore full round beards, to which they evidently devoted great care. The nomads of the desert, in distinction from the settled Semites, wore a clipped and pointed beard (see Jer 9:26: "all that have the corners of their hair cut off, that dwell in the wilderness"; and compare Jer 25:23; 49:32, etc.). (2) Long beards are found on Assyrian and Babylonian monuments and sculptures as a mark of the highest aristocracy (compare Egyptian monuments, especially representations by W. Max Muller, Asien und Europa, 140). It is not clear that it was ever so with the Jews. Yet it is significant that the Hebrew "elder" (zaqen) seems to have received his name from his long beard (compare bene barbatus). ⇒See the definition of beard in the KJV Dictionary (3) The view of some that it was customary among the Hebrews to shave the upper lip is considered by the best authorities as without foundation. The mustache (Hebrew sapham, "beard"), according to 2Sa 19:24, received regular "trimming"…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Beard
The Egyptians strongly disliked hair on the face : they shaved themselves, and compelled their slaves also to do so. Joseph, coming from prison, had to shave before appearing to the king (Gn 41"). The unshaven face betokened grief. False beards, however, were worn, varying in size and shape with the rank of the individual. Those of the common people were short— that of the monarch, long and square-bottomed : deities are represented with beards curled up at the end. The Jews and kindred peoples have always attached extreme importance to the beard. The leper alone was bound to shave (Lv 14'). The Jews appear with beards in the Assyr. sculptures of the taking of Lachish. They had no special rule for their slaves ; unlike the Romans, who, when they took to shaving, compelled their slaves to wear beards. ' Cutting off the corners of the beard,' and making cuttings in the flesh, are prohibited (Lv 19^'"**). These practices are marks of idolatry (Jer 41'), and the peoples of the ' polled comers ' are to drink the ^^^ne-cup of God's wrath (Jer 9'' 25» 49"). Certain neighbouring nations cut o…
Fausset's Bible Dictionary on Beard
With Asiatics, a badge of manly dignity. The Egyptians mostly shaved the hair of the face and head, except in mourning. In consonance with this Egyptian usage, Scripture, with the undesigned propriety of truth, represents Joseph as having "shaved his beard," which he had allowed to grow in prison, before entering Pharaoh's presence (Gen 41:14). Many Egyptians wore a false beard of plaited hair, private individuals small ones, kings long ones square below, the gods one turning at the end. Their enemies are represented bearded on the monuments. The Jews were forbidden to "round the corners of their heads or mar (i.e. shave off) the corners of their beards" (Lev 19:27; Lev 21:5). Baal worshippers rounded the beard and hair to make their faces round, like the sun. The Arabs trimmed their beard round in sign of dedication to some idol. Possibly the Israelites retained the hair between the ear and eye, which the Arabs shaved away (Jer 9:26 margin; Jer 25:23; Jer 49:32; compare Herodotus, 3:8). The beard is sworn by in the E. as an object of veneration. Not to trim it marked affliction, as…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia