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class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/leviticus/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“The priests must not shave their heads or trim their beards or cut their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/leviticus/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts on their body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/leviticus/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />‘They shall not make any bald <i>place</i> on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/leviticus/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />They shall not shave any area on their heads bald, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/leviticus/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/leviticus/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />They shall not make any baldness on their heads nor shave off the edges of their beards nor make any cuts in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/leviticus/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The priests shall not shave their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/leviticus/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Priests may not make bald spots on their heads, shave the edge of their beards, or make gashes on their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Priests may not make bald spots on their heads, shave the edge of their beards, or make gashes on their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/leviticus/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/leviticus/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Don't shave any part of your head or trim your beard or cut yourself to show that you are mourning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/leviticus/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/leviticus/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"You should never mourn by shaving bald spots on your heads, shaving the edges of your beards, or slashing your bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/leviticus/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"No priest shall shave any part of his head or trim his beard or cut gashes on his body to show that he is in mourning. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/leviticus/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"They are not to cut their hair in ritualistic patterns on their heads, deface the edges of their beards, or make incisions in their flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/leviticus/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/leviticus/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Priests must not have a bald spot shaved on their head, they must not shave the corner of their beard, and they must not cut slashes in their body. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/leviticus/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'They shall not shave their heads, neither shall they shave off the corners of their beards, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/leviticus/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/leviticus/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/leviticus/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />they do not make baldness on their head, and they do not shave the corner of their beard, and they do not make a cutting in their flesh;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/leviticus/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> they do not make baldness on their head, and the corner of their beard they do not shave, and in their flesh they do not make a cutting;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/leviticus/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />With baldness, they shall not make baldness upon their head, and they shall not shave the extremity of their beard: and in their flesh they shall not cut incisions.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/leviticus/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their head, nor their beard, nor make incisions in their flesh. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/leviticus/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their head or their beard, and they shall not make incisions in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/leviticus/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The priests shall not make bald the crown of their head, nor shave the edges of their beard, nor lacerate their body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/leviticus/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not make bald spots upon their heads, or shave off the edges of their beards, or make any gashes in their flesh.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/leviticus/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/leviticus/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they certainly shall not shave their heads or they shall not shave the mustache of their beards, and they shall not cut cuttings in their flesh.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/leviticus/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corners of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/leviticus/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And ye shall not shave your head for the dead with a baldness on the top; and they shall not shave their beard, neither shall they make gashes on their flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/leviticus/21-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWs_V1RyMFo?start=5570" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/leviticus/21.htm">Holiness Required of Priests</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>He is not to defile himself for those related to him by marriage, and so profane himself. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Priests must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/7139.htm" title="7139: yiq·rə·ḥå̄h (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To make bald. A primitive root; to depilate.">make bald</a> <a href="/hebrew/7144.htm" title="7144: qā·rə·ḥāh (N-fs) -- Baldness, bald spot. Or qorcha; from qarach; baldness."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: bə·rō·šām (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">spots on their heads,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6285.htm" title="6285: ū·p̄ə·’aṯ (Conj-w:: N-fsc) -- Corner, side. Feminine of poh; properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. Direction, region, extremity.">shave off the edges</a> <a href="/hebrew/2206.htm" title="2206: zə·qā·nām (N-csc:: 3mp) -- Beard, chin. From zaqen; the beard.">of their beards,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1548.htm" title="1548: yə·ḡal·lê·ḥū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To be bald, shave, shave off. A primitive root; properly, to be bald, i.e. to shave; figuratively to lay waste."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8295.htm" title="8295: yiś·rə·ṭū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To incise, scratch. A primitive root; to gash.">or make</a> <a href="/hebrew/8296.htm" title="8296: śā·rā·ṭeṯ (N-fs) -- An incision. And sareteth; from sarat; an incision.">cuts</a> <a href="/hebrew/1320.htm" title="1320: ū·ḇiḇ·śā·rām (Conj-w, Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Flesh. From basar; flesh; by extension, body, person; also The pudenda of a man.">in their bodies.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>They must be holy to their God and not profane the name of their God. Because they present to the LORD the offerings made by fire, the food of their God, they must be holy.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Deuteronomy 14:1</a></span><br />You are sons of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20</a></span><br />They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-6.htm">Jeremiah 16:6</a></span><br />“Both great and small will die in this land. They will not be buried or mourned, nor will anyone cut himself or shave his head for them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/15-2.htm">Isaiah 15:2</a></span><br />Dibon goes up to its temple to weep at its high places. Moab wails over Nebo, as well as over Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/8-10.htm">Amos 8:10</a></span><br />I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation. I will cause everyone to wear sackcloth and every head to be shaved. I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son, and its outcome like a bitter day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-28.htm">1 Kings 18:28</a></span><br />So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/41-5.htm">Jeremiah 41:5</a></span><br />eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their garments, and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, carrying grain offerings and frankincense for the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Micah 1:16</a></span><br />Shave yourselves bald and cut off your hair in mourning for your precious children; make yourselves as bald as an eagle, for they will go from you into exile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/11-14.htm">1 Corinthians 11:14</a></span><br />Doesn’t nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-13.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:13</a></span><br />Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/6-17.htm">Matthew 6:17</a></span><br />But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a></span><br />Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-9.htm">1 Peter 2:9</a></span><br />But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a></span><br />Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; / you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-17.htm">2 Corinthians 6:17</a></span><br />“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">They shall not make baldness on their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Leviticus 19:27</a></b></br> Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6</a></b></br> And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the LORD hath kindled.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Leviticus 19:27,28</a></b></br> Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Deuteronomy 14:1</a></b></br> Ye <i>are</i> the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/leviticus/13-41.htm">Baldness</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Beard</a> <a href="/jeremiah/41-5.htm">Beards</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-4.htm">Chins</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Corner</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Corners</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Cuts</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Cuttings</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Edges</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-28.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-9.htm">Head</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-27.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/genesis/44-4.htm">Short</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm">Baldness</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-35.htm">Beard</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-4.htm">Beards</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-30.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/2_samuel/10-4.htm">Chins</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-22.htm">Corner</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-22.htm">Corners</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-3.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-29.htm">Cuts</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-5.htm">Cutting</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-18.htm">Cuttings</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-11.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/numbers/15-38.htm">Edges</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-6.htm">Flesh</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Head</a> <a href="/leviticus/26-13.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/numbers/6-9.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/leviticus/22-23.htm">Short</a><div class="vheading2">Leviticus 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-1.htm">Of the priests' mourning</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-6.htm">Of their holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-7.htm">Of their marriages</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-8.htm">Of their estimation</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-9.htm">Of the high priest's holiness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Of his marriage</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/leviticus/21-13.htm">The priests that have blemishes must not minister in the sanctuary</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/leviticus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/leviticus/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Priests must not make bald spots on their heads</b><br>This command is part of the holiness code for priests, emphasizing their distinctiveness and separation from pagan practices. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, shaving the head was often associated with mourning rituals or pagan worship. By prohibiting this, God was ensuring that the priests maintained a distinct identity, set apart for His service. This separation underscores the call for holiness, as seen in <a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>, where the Israelites are instructed to be holy because God is holy.<p><b>shave off the edges of their beards</b><br>The beard was a symbol of dignity and maturity in ancient Israelite culture. Shaving the edges of the beard was a practice linked to pagan mourning rites or idolatrous customs. By forbidding this, God was instructing the priests to avoid any association with idolatry or paganism. This command highlights the importance of maintaining a distinct appearance that reflects one's dedication to God, as seen in the broader context of <a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Leviticus 19:27</a>.<p><b>or make cuts in their bodies</b><br>Cutting the body was a common practice in ancient pagan rituals, often as a sign of mourning or to invoke the attention of deities. This prohibition is a clear directive against adopting pagan customs, emphasizing the need for the priests to remain pure and undefiled. The command reflects the broader biblical principle of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, as later articulated in <a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19-20</a>. This also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who bore the marks of crucifixion, fulfilling the law and rendering such practices unnecessary for atonement or divine favor.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/priests.htm">Priests</a></b><br>The primary focus of <a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5</a> is on the priests, who were set apart for service in the tabernacle and later the temple. They were required to maintain a higher standard of holiness and purity.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation to whom the laws of Leviticus were given. Israel was called to be a holy nation, distinct from the surrounding peoples.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader through whom God delivered the laws of Leviticus to the Israelites.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/tabernacle.htm">Tabernacle</a></b><br>The portable sanctuary where the priests performed their duties and where God's presence dwelled among the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The ultimate authority who established the laws and standards for His people, emphasizing His holiness and the need for His people to reflect that holiness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_appearance.htm">Holiness in Appearance</a></b><br>The command in <a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5</a> for priests not to shave their heads, trim the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies was a call to maintain a distinct appearance that reflected their holy status. This teaches us that our outward appearance can be a reflection of our inward commitment to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_distinctiveness.htm">Cultural Distinctiveness</a></b><br>The Israelites were called to be distinct from the surrounding nations. As Christians, we are also called to live in a way that sets us apart from the world, reflecting God's holiness in our actions and choices.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/respect_for_god's_standards.htm">Respect for God's Standards</a></b><br>The specific instructions given to the priests highlight the importance of respecting and adhering to God's standards. This principle applies to all believers, as we are called to live according to God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_purity.htm">Symbolism of Purity</a></b><br>The physical purity required of the priests symbolizes the spiritual purity that God desires from His people. We are called to pursue purity in our thoughts, words, and deeds.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_leviticus_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_shaving.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on shaving?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_shave_the_body_in_numbers_8_7_evidence.htm">Why does Numbers 8:7 require shaving the entire body for purification, and is there any archaeological evidence of this practice? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_restrict_priests'_marriages_evidence.htm">Why does Leviticus 21:7-14 restrict whom priests can marry, and does archaeology support such specialized priestly conduct?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_consecrated_lands_go_to_priests.htm">Leviticus 27:21: How could God's law ordain that consecrated lands revert to the priests, potentially creating a power imbalance?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/leviticus/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) Make baldness upon their head.--The natural expression of grief, however, which the priests were to manifest for the above-named departed relations, was not to show itself in the practices which disfigure their bodily appearance, and which obtained among other nations of antiquity in connection with funeral ceremonies. Thus, in the graphic description of the idolatrous priests mourning, we are told "the priests sit in their temples, having their clothes rent, and their heads and beards shaven, and nothing upon their heads." (Bar 6:31.) The three things here prohibited to the priests are also forbidden to the people at large under other circumstances. (See <a href="/context/leviticus/19-27.htm" title="You shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shall you mar the corners of your beard.">Leviticus 19:27-28</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/14-1.htm" title="You are the children of the LORD your God: you shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.">Deuteronomy 14:1</a>.) The ordinary Israelites, however, indulged in the same practices. (See <a href="/jeremiah/16-6.htm" title="Both the great and the small shall die in this land: they shall not be buried, neither shall men lament for them, nor cut themselves, nor make themselves bald for them:">Jeremiah 16:6</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/7-18.htm" title="They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be on all faces, and baldness on all their heads.">Ezekiel 7:18</a>; <a href="/amos/8-10.htm" title="And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth on all loins, and baldness on every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only son, and the end thereof as a bitter day.">Amos 8:10</a>.) . . . <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/leviticus/21-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Priests must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">make bald</span><br /><span class="heb">יִקְרְח֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiq·rə·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7139.htm">Strong's 7139: </a> </span><span class="str2">To make bald</span><br /><br /><span class="word">spots on their heads,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּרֹאשָׁ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(bə·rō·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7218.htm">Strong's 7218: </a> </span><span class="str2">The head</span><br /><br /><span class="word">shave off the edges</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפְאַ֥ת</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄ə·’aṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6285.htm">Strong's 6285: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mouth, direction, region, extremity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of their beards,</span><br /><span class="heb">זְקָנָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(zə·qā·nām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2206.htm">Strong's 2206: </a> </span><span class="str2">Beard, chin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or make</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרְט֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rə·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8295.htm">Strong's 8295: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incise, scratch</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cuts</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׂרָֽטֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(śā·rā·ṭeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8296.htm">Strong's 8296: </a> </span><span class="str2">An incision</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in their bodies.</span><br /><span class="heb">וּבִ֨בְשָׂרָ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(ū·ḇiḇ·śā·rām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1320.htm">Strong's 1320: </a> </span><span class="str2">Flesh, body, person, the pudenda of a, man</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">OT Law: Leviticus 21:5 They shall not shave their heads neither (Le Lv Lev.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/leviticus/21-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Leviticus 21:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/leviticus/21-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Leviticus 21:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Leviticus 21:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>