Topical Bible: Mourning: Cutting or Plucking off the Hair and Beard

◄ Mourning: Cutting or Plucking off the Hair and Beard ►

Topical Encyclopedia

In the ancient Near Eastern context, mourning was often expressed through various physical manifestations, one of which included the cutting or plucking off of hair and beard. This practice is referenced in several biblical passages and is indicative of deep sorrow, loss, or repentance.

Biblical References

1. Jeremiah 7:29 : "Cut off your hair and cast it away; take up a lamentation on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath." Here, the prophet Jeremiah calls upon the people to cut off their hair as a sign of mourning and lamentation due to God's rejection of their sinful generation.

2. Isaiah 15:2 : "Dibon goes up to its temple, to its high places to weep; Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off." This passage describes the mourning practices of the Moabites, where shaving the head and cutting the beard are expressions of their grief and despair.

3. Ezekiel 7:18 : "They will put on sackcloth, and horror will cover them. Shame will be on all faces, and all heads will be shaved." In this prophetic vision, the shaving of heads is part of the broader imagery of mourning and shame that will come upon the people due to impending judgment.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In the biblical world, hair and beard were often seen as symbols of dignity and identity. The act of cutting or plucking them off was a visible sign of humility and distress. It was a way to demonstrate the inner turmoil and grief that one was experiencing. This practice was not unique to Israel but was common among various cultures in the ancient Near East.

Prohibitions and Exceptions

While cutting or plucking hair and beard was a common mourning practice, the Israelites were given specific instructions regarding their appearance. Leviticus 19:27 states, "You must not cut off the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." This command was part of the Holiness Code, emphasizing the distinctiveness of the Israelite people. However, in times of extreme mourning or repentance, such as those described by the prophets, these actions were sometimes depicted as appropriate responses to divine judgment or personal loss.

Theological Implications

The act of cutting or plucking off hair and beard in mourning reflects a deeper theological understanding of human frailty and the need for repentance. It serves as a physical manifestation of an internal state of contrition and acknowledgment of one's dependence on God. In the biblical narrative, these acts are often associated with calls to return to the Lord and seek His mercy amidst judgment and calamity.

Conclusion

The practice of cutting or plucking off hair and beard as a sign of mourning is a poignant reminder of the human condition in the face of sin and suffering. It underscores the biblical themes of repentance, humility, and the hope for restoration through God's grace.

Nave's Topical Index

Ezra 9:3
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonished.
Nave's Topical Index

Jeremiah 7:29
Cut off your hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.
Nave's Topical Index