5180 shaving

The removal of hair with a razor or other sharp implement. Both male and female Israelites allowed their hair to grow long. Barbers trimmed, but did not crop, men’s hair, so giving special significance to the shaving of the head or whole body. These actions indicated shame or grief.

Personal toilet

Ge 41:14; 2Sa 14:26

Symbolic shaving

Shaved head a sign of grief Job 1:20 See also Dt 21:10-14; Isa 15:2; Jer 47:5; Jer 48:36-37; Eze 27:31; Am 8:10; Mic 1:16; Jer 7:29; Jer 41:5

A shaved head a sign of shame 2Sa 10:4 pp 1Ch 19:4 See also Ezr 9:3; Isa 7:20; Isa 50:6; Jer 2:16; Eze 7:18; 1Co 11:5-6

Shaving in ritual cleansing

Lev 14:8-9; Nu 8:7; Ac 21:24

Shaving as a visual aid

Eze 5:1-4

After a period of dedication

Nu 6:18

Shaving forbidden

As a pagan practice Lev 19:27; Lev 21:5 See also Dt 14:1 Pagans shaved the front of their heads as a sign of mourning. God’s people should have a different attitude to bereavement from those who have no hope; Eze 44:20

For the sake of a Nazarite vow Nu 6:5 See also Jdg 16:17; 1Sa 1:11

See also