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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Ezekiel 44:20 They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/ezekiel/44-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/26_Ezk_44_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Ezekiel 44:20 - The Duties of the Priests" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/ezekiel/44-20.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/ezekiel/44-20.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/">Ezekiel</a> > <a href="/ezekiel/44.htm">Chapter 44</a> > Verse 20</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm" title="Ezekiel 44:19">◄</a> Ezekiel 44:20 <a href="/ezekiel/44-21.htm" title="Ezekiel 44:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.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/ezekiel/44.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220&#8217They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/44.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“They must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow too long. Instead, they must trim it regularly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/ezekiel/44.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not shave their heads or let their locks grow long; they shall surely trim the hair of their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Berean Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/44.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/ezekiel/44.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well trimmed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/ezekiel/44.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Also they shall not shave their heads, yet they shall not let their locks grow long; they shall only trim <i>the hair of</i> their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/44.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Also they shall not shave their heads, yet they shall not let their locks grow long; they shall only trim the hair of their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/ezekiel/44.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Also they shall not shave their heads, yet they shall not let their locks grow long; they shall only trim <i>the hair of</i> their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Also they shall not shave their heads, yet they shall not let their locks grow long; they shall only trim <i>the hair of</i> their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/ezekiel/44.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Also they shall not shave their heads, yet they shall not allow their hair to grow long; they shall only cut short <i>or</i> trim their hair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/ezekiel/44.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“They may not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but are to carefully trim their hair.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They may not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim their hair. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/ezekiel/44.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only cut off the hair of their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/ezekiel/44.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Priests must never shave their heads when they are mourning. But they must keep their hair properly trimmed and not let it grow too long. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/ezekiel/44.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/ezekiel/44.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />" 'They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long. They must keep the hair on their heads trimmed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/ezekiel/44.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Priests must neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long. They are to keep it a proper length. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/ezekiel/44.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Also, they are not to shave their heads nor let their hair grow long. Instead, they are certainly to trim the hair on their heads. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/ezekiel/44.htm">Majority Standard Bible</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="versiontext"><a href="/net/ezekiel/44.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"'They must not shave their heads nor let their hair grow long; they must only trim their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/ezekiel/44.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'Neither shall they shave their heads, nor allow their locks to grow long; they shall only cut off the hair of their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/ezekiel/44.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/ezekiel/44.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘“They shall not shave their heads, or allow their locks to grow long. They shall only cut off the hair of their heads. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/ezekiel/44.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And they do not shave their head, and they do not send forth the lock; they certainly trim their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/ezekiel/44.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And their head they do not shave, and the lock they do not send forth; they certainly poll their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/ezekiel/44.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they shall not shave their heads, and shearing, they shall shear their beads.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/ezekiel/44.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads, nor wear long heir: but they shall only poll their heads. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/ezekiel/44.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now they shall not shave their heads, and they shall not grow long hair. Instead, they shall trim the hair of their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/ezekiel/44.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They shall not shave their heads nor let their hair hang loose, but they shall keep their hair carefully trimmed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/ezekiel/44.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />They shall not shave their heads or let their locks grow long; they shall only trim the hair of their heads.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/ezekiel/44.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads nor let their locks grow long; but they shall have their hair cut.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/ezekiel/44.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />They shall not shave their heads; they shall not grow their curls, but they shall surely crop their heads<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/ezekiel/44.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/ezekiel/44.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they shall not shave their heads, nor shall they pluck off their hair; they shall carefully cover their heads.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/ezekiel/44-20.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/vET3Gmwku4s?start=13559" 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/ezekiel/44.htm">The Duties of the Priests</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>When they go out to the outer court, to the people, they are to take off the garments in which they have ministered, leave them in the holy chambers, and dress in other clothes so that they do not transmit holiness to the people with their garments. <span class="reftext">20</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.">They must not</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.">shave</a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: wə·rō·šām (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">their heads</a> <a href="/hebrew/6545.htm" title="6545: ū·p̄e·ra‘ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Long hair, locks. From para'; the hair.">or let their hair</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/7971.htm" title="7971: yə·šal·lê·ḥū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">grow long,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3697.htm" title="3697: kā·sō·wm (V-Qal-InfAbs) -- To shear, clip. A primitive root; to shear.">but must carefully trim</a> <a href="/hebrew/3697.htm" title="3697: yiḵ·sə·mū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To shear, clip. A primitive root; to shear."></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7218.htm" title="7218: rā·šê·hem (N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Head. From an unused root apparently meaning to shake; the head, whether literal or figurative.">their hair.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>No priest may drink wine before he enters the inner court.…<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="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5</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="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Numbers 6:5</a></span><br />For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall touch his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.<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="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6</a></span><br />Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, “Do not let your hair become disheveled and do not tear your garments, or else you will die, and the LORD will be angry with the whole congregation. But your brothers, the whole house of Israel, may mourn on account of the fire that the LORD has ignited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-27.htm">Leviticus 19:27</a></span><br />You must not cut off the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/13-5.htm">Judges 13:5</a></span><br />For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son. And no razor shall touch his head, because the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he will begin the deliverance of Israel from the hand of the Philistines.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/8-7.htm">Numbers 8:7</a></span><br />This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/1-11.htm">1 Samuel 1:11</a></span><br />And she made a vow, saying, “O LORD of Hosts, if only You will look upon the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, not forgetting Your maidservant but giving her a son, then I will dedicate him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall ever touch his head.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/14-26.htm">2 Samuel 14:26</a></span><br />And when he cut the hair of his head—he shaved it every year because his hair got so heavy—he would weigh it out to be two hundred shekels, according to the royal standard.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/18-18.htm">Acts 18:18</a></span><br />Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm">1 Corinthians 9:7</a></span><br />Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not drink of its milk?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-3.htm">1 Peter 3:3</a></span><br />Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/7-20.htm">Isaiah 7:20</a></span><br />On that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and to remove your beard as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-29.htm">Jeremiah 7:29</a></span><br />Cut off your hair and throw it away. Raise up a lamentation on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.’<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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.</p><p class="hdg">shave</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5</a></b></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.</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><p class="hdg">nor suffer</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Numbers 6:5</a></b></br> All the days of the vow of his separation there shall no rasor come upon his head: until the days be fulfilled, in the which he separateth <i>himself</i> unto the LORD, he shall be holy, <i>and</i> shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/11-14.htm">1 Corinthians 11:14</a></b></br> Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/ezekiel/39-7.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/40-42.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/ezekiel/15-4.htm">Ends</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/37-6.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-31.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-18.htm">Head</a> <a href="/ezekiel/44-18.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/songs/7-5.htm">Locks</a> <a href="/numbers/3-47.htm">Poll</a> <a href="/ezekiel/27-31.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-7.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-33.htm">Trim</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-12.htm">Trimmed</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezekiel/45-8.htm">Allow</a> <a href="/daniel/2-5.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/daniel/4-11.htm">Ends</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-2.htm">Forth</a> <a href="/ezekiel/47-12.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/daniel/3-27.htm">Hair</a> <a href="/daniel/1-10.htm">Head</a> <a href="/daniel/7-6.htm">Heads</a> <a href="/nahum/3-13.htm">Locks</a> <a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Poll</a> <a href="/micah/1-16.htm">Shave</a> <a href="/daniel/6-2.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-12.htm">Trim</a> <a href="/matthew/25-7.htm">Trimmed</a><div class="vheading2">Ezekiel 44</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-1.htm">The east gate assigned only to the prince</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-4.htm">The priests reproved for polluting the sanctuary</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-9.htm">Idolaters incapable of the priests office</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-15.htm">The sons of Zadok are accepted thereto</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/ezekiel/44-17.htm">Ordinances for the priests</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/ezekiel/44.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/ezekiel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/ezekiel/44.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They must not shave their heads</b><br>This directive is given to the Levitical priests, emphasizing their distinct role and appearance. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, shaving the head was often associated with mourning or pagan rituals. By prohibiting this, God sets His priests apart from such practices, underscoring their holiness and dedication to Him. This command aligns with the Nazarite vow in <a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Numbers 6:5</a>, where individuals dedicated to God also refrained from shaving their heads.<p><b>or let their hair grow long</b><br>Long hair in ancient Israel could symbolize neglect or rebellion, as seen in the story of Absalom (<a href="/2_samuel/14-25.htm">2 Samuel 14:25-26</a>). For priests, maintaining a moderate appearance was crucial to reflect order and discipline. This requirement ensured that priests did not adopt the customs of surrounding nations, where long hair might be associated with certain religious or cultural practices contrary to the worship of Yahweh.<p><b>but must carefully trim their hair</b><br>The instruction to trim their hair carefully indicates a balance between extremes, symbolizing self-control and propriety. This practice reflects the broader biblical principle of moderation and orderliness, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/14-40.htm">1 Corinthians 14:40</a>, where Paul instructs the church to do everything decently and in order. The priests' appearance was a visible representation of their inner spiritual state and their commitment to serving God faithfully.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/e/ezekiel.htm">Ezekiel</a></b><br>A prophet and priest during the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel is the author of the book that bears his name. His visions and prophecies often focus on the holiness of God and the restoration of Israel.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The context of <a href="/bsb/ezekiel/44.htm">Ezekiel 44</a> is a vision of a future temple, symbolizing God's presence and the restoration of proper worship practices.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_levitical_priests.htm">The Levitical Priests</a></b><br>This passage specifically addresses the conduct and appearance of the Levitical priests, who were responsible for temple service and maintaining the sanctity of worship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_exile.htm">The Exile</a></b><br>The historical backdrop of Ezekiel's prophecies is the Babylonian exile, a period of significant upheaval and reflection for the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_and_worship.htm">Holiness and Worship</a></b><br>The broader theme of this chapter is the holiness required in worship and the conduct of those who serve in the temple.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_appearance.htm">Holiness in Appearance</a></b><br>The instruction to trim hair reflects the broader biblical principle that outward appearance can reflect inner holiness and dedication to God. This serves as a reminder that our external conduct should align with our spiritual commitments.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_worship.htm">Cultural Context and Worship</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural context of biblical instructions helps us discern how to apply them today. While the specific command about hair may not directly apply, the underlying principle of reverence and respect in worship remains relevant.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/role_of_priests_and_leaders.htm">Role of Priests and Leaders</a></b><br>The passage underscores the responsibility of spiritual leaders to model holiness and integrity. This calls for leaders today to maintain a lifestyle that honors God and sets a positive example for others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_hair_in_scripture.htm">Symbolism of Hair in Scripture</a></b><br>Hair often symbolizes strength, dedication, and identity in the Bible. Reflecting on this symbolism can deepen our understanding of personal consecration and commitment to God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_ezekiel_44.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Ezekiel 44</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_hair_length.htm">What is the Bible's stance on hair length?</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/does_ezekiel_5_2-4_contradict_purity_laws.htm">In Ezekiel 5:2–4, does the command to burn, scatter, and bind hair contradict other biblical teachings on ritual purity or symbolism? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_would_god_allow_war_captives_as_brides.htm">Deuteronomy 21:10-14: Why would a just God permit the taking of war captives as brides under these conditions?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/ezekiel/44.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(20) <span class= "bld">Their locks to grow long.--</span>The law forbade the shaving of the head (<a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm" title="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.">Leviticus 21:5</a>), but only condemned letting the hair grow long by implication, providing for it in the exceptional case of the vow of the Nazarite. The prohibition of <a href="/ezekiel/44-21.htm" title="Neither shall any priest drink wine, when they enter into the inner court.">Ezekiel 44:21</a> is given in <a href="/leviticus/10-9.htm" title="Do not drink wine nor strong drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest you die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations:">Leviticus 10:9</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/ezekiel/44.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - The next rubric concerned the mode in which the priests should wear their hair. It should neither be shaved nor worn long, thus avoiding excess on either side (compare for the first, <a href="/leviticus/21-5.htm">Leviticus 21:5</a>; and for the second, <a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6</a>; <a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Leviticus 21:10</a>, Revised Version), but should merely be polled. The obligation to let the hair grow freely was imposed upon the Nazarite only during the period of his vow (<a href="/numbers/6-5.htm">Numbers 6:5</a>). The verb "to poll," or "cut" (<span class="hebrew">כָּסַם</span>), occurs nowhere else. Smend thinks what is here denied to the priests collectively is in the priest-code denied solely to the high priest (<a href="/leviticus/21-10.htm">Leviticus 21:10</a>, Revised Version; compare, however, <a href="/leviticus/10-6.htm">Leviticus 10:6</a>, Revised Version), and discovers in this a sign of the later origin of Leviticus. Ezekiel's raising the priesthood as a body to the rank of the high priest, of whom in connection with this temple is no trace, rather proves Ezekiel to have been later than Leviticus. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/ezekiel/44-20.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">They must not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</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">shave</span><br /><span class="heb">יְגַלֵּ֔חוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḡal·lê·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1548.htm">Strong's 1548: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be bald, to shave, to lay waste</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their heads</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרֹאשָׁם֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rō·šām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | 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">or let their hair</span><br /><span class="heb">וּפֶ֖רַע</span> <span class="translit">(ū·p̄e·ra‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6545.htm">Strong's 6545: </a> </span><span class="str2">Long hair, locks</span><br /><br /><span class="word">grow long,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְשַׁלֵּ֑חוּ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·šal·lê·ḥū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but must carefully trim</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּס֥וֹם</span> <span class="translit">(kā·sō·wm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3697.htm">Strong's 3697: </a> </span><span class="str2">To shear, clip</span><br /><br /><span class="word">their hair.</span><br /><span class="heb">רָאשֵׁיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā·šê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural 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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/ezekiel/44-20.htm">Ezekiel 44:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/ezekiel/44-20.htm">OT Prophets: Ezekiel 44:20 Neither shall they shave their heads (Ezek. Eze Ezk) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/ezekiel/44-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ezekiel 44:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 44:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/ezekiel/44-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Ezekiel 44:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Ezekiel 44:21" /></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>