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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Shaving
Subjects in this Topic:
shaÌ„v´ing (in , ×’Ö¼×–×–, gaÌ„zaz, usually גּלח, gaÌ„lahÌ£; in , ξυÏαÌω, xuraÌoÌ„): Customs as to shaving differ in different countries, and in ancient and modern times. Among the Egyptians it was customary to shave the whole body (compare ). With the Israelites, shaving the head was a sign of mourning (; ); ordinarily the hair was allowed to grow long, and was only cut at intervals (compare Absalom, ). Nazirites were forbidden to use a razor, but when their vow was expired, or if they were defiled, they were to shave the whole head (, , ff; compare ). The shaving of the beard was not permitted to the Israelites; they were prohibited from shaving off even “the corner of their beard†(). It was an unpardonable insult when Hanun, king of the Ammonites, cut off the half of the beards of the Israelites whom David had sent to him (; ).
Shaving “with a razor that is hired†is Isaiah's graphic figure to denote the complete devastation of Judah by the Assyrian army ().