⁵ “Priests may not make bald spots on their heads, shave the edge of their beards, or make gashes on their bodies.^(A)

Forbidden Practices

14 “You are sons of the Lord your God;^(A) do not cut yourselves or make a bald spot on your head^[a] on behalf of the dead,^(B)

⁴ So Hanun took David’s emissaries, shaved off half their beards, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away.^(A)

⁵ When this was reported to David, he sent someone to meet them, since they were deeply humiliated. The king said, “Stay in Jericho until your beards grow back; then return.”

⁵ 80 men came from Shechem, Shiloh,^(A) and Samaria^(B) who had shaved their beards,^(C) torn their garments, and gashed themselves, and who were carrying grain and incense offerings to bring to the temple of the Lord.^(D)

³⁷ Indeed, every head is bald and every beard clipped;^(A) on every hand is a gash and sackcloth around the waist.