You must not cut off the hair at the sides of your headThis command is part of the Holiness Code, a section of Leviticus that outlines how the Israelites are to live as God's holy people. The prohibition against cutting the hair at the sides of the head is often understood as a directive to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding pagan cultures, which may have practiced specific hair-cutting rituals as part of idol worship or mourning rites. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hair was often associated with one's identity and status, and altering it could symbolize allegiance to foreign gods. This command emphasizes the importance of maintaining a distinct identity as God's chosen people.
or clip off the edges of your beard.
Similar to the prohibition against cutting the hair on the sides of the head, this command likely served to set the Israelites apart from neighboring peoples. Beards were a common feature of male appearance in the ancient Near East, and specific styles could be associated with particular religious or cultural practices. By instructing the Israelites not to clip the edges of their beards, God was reinforcing their unique identity and commitment to Him. This command can also be seen as a call to avoid adopting the customs of other nations, which could lead to idolatry. In a broader biblical context, the beard is sometimes seen as a symbol of maturity and wisdom, as seen in passages likePsalm 133:2, where the anointing oil on Aaron's beard signifies blessing and unity.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the laws from God, including the instructions in Leviticus.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God to whom the laws in Leviticus were given, as they were being formed into a distinct nation.
3.
Mount SinaiThe place where Moses received the Law from God, including the instructions found in Leviticus.
4.
CanaanThe land promised to the Israelites, where they were to live according to God's laws and be set apart from the surrounding nations.
5.
Pagan NationsThe surrounding cultures whose practices the Israelites were to avoid, including certain grooming habits that were associated with idolatry.
Teaching Points
Cultural DistinctivenessThe command in
Leviticus 19:27 was part of a broader call for the Israelites to be distinct from the surrounding nations. As Christians, we are called to live in a way that reflects our identity in Christ, distinct from worldly values.
Holiness and IdentityThe grooming laws were symbolic of a deeper spiritual truth about holiness and identity. Our outward actions should reflect our inner commitment to God.
Avoiding IdolatryThe prohibition against certain grooming practices was to prevent the Israelites from adopting pagan rituals. We must be vigilant in avoiding practices that could lead us away from God.
Respect for God's CreationThe command can also be seen as a call to respect the way God has made us, avoiding unnecessary alterations that reflect pagan practices.
Understanding ContextWhile the specific command may not apply directly today, understanding its context helps us discern how to apply biblical principles in our cultural setting.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Leviticus 19:27?
2.How does Leviticus 19:27 guide our understanding of cultural grooming practices today?
3.What spiritual principles can we derive from Leviticus 19:27's grooming instructions?
4.How does Leviticus 19:27 connect with New Testament teachings on body presentation?
5.In what ways can Leviticus 19:27 influence our daily grooming decisions?
6.How can we honor God through our appearance, reflecting Leviticus 19:27's guidance?
7.Why does Leviticus 19:27 prohibit cutting hair and beards?
8.How should modern Christians interpret Leviticus 19:27?
9.Is Leviticus 19:27 culturally or spiritually relevant today?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Leviticus 19?
11.Leviticus 19:27 speaks against specific forms of shaving and hair trimming; why do modern believers overlook this?
12.What are the Bible's teachings on shaving?
13.What was the appearance of biblical people?
14.What was Jesus' physical appearance?What Does Leviticus 19:27 Mean
You must not- The verse begins with a direct prohibition from the LORD, underscoring His authority. As with the rest ofLeviticus 19, the call is rooted in holiness: “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).
- The wording shows that obedience is not optional; it is a visible expression of covenant loyalty (John 14:15;1 Peter 1:15-16).
- The command immediately follows other lifestyle directives (Leviticus 19:26) aimed at separating Israel from surrounding cultures.
…cut off the hair at the sides of your head…- In the ancient Near East, mourning rites and pagan worship often required shaving patches of hair or specific hairlines. By forbidding this, God protected His people from adopting idolatrous customs (Deuteronomy 14:1;Ezekiel 44:20).
- Key idea: distinct appearance reinforces distinct identity. Israel’s outward look testified to its inward allegiance.
- Practical reflection: while hairstyles vary today, believers still guard against letting fashions tied to rebellion, occult, or worldly values define them (Romans 12:2).
…or clip off the edges of your beard- Similar to the head-shaving ban, pagans shaped beards in ritual patterns to honor false gods or to signal mourning (Jeremiah 41:5;Isaiah 15:2). The LORD prohibits His men from copying those patterns.
- Grooming for cleanliness is not condemned; deliberate imitation of pagan symbols is.
- Lessons for modern men:
• Maintain personal hygiene without embracing styles identified with ungodliness.
• Remember that the body remains a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
• Our appearance should consistently point to Christ, not culture (1 Corinthians 10:31).
summaryLeviticus 19:27 commands Israel to avoid pagan hair and beard practices so their bodies would testify to God’s holiness rather than to surrounding idols. Though the exact cultural markers change, the underlying principle endures: God’s people must resist external fashions that compromise their witness, choosing instead visible loyalty and set-apart living in every generation.
(27)
Round the corners of your heads.--That is, they are not to shave off the hair around the temples and behind the ears, so as to leave the head bald except a dish-like tuft upon the crown, thus imparting to their heads the form of a hemisphere. This was done by the Arabs, and other worshippers of the god Orotal. Hence the Arabs are ironically called "those with the corner of their hair polled," as it is rightly rendered in the Margin (
Jeremiah 9:26;
Jeremiah 25:23;
Jeremiah 49:32).
Mar the corners of thy beard.--The beard was regarded by the Hebrews and other eastern nations as the greatest ornament of a man, and was as dear to them as life itself. It was the object of salutation (2Samuel 20:9), and the mutilation of it was looked upon as the greatest disgrace and most degrading punishment (2Samuel 10:4;Isaiah 7:20;Ezra 5:1-5, &c.). It was only in seasons of sorrow that the Hebrews neglected their beards; and sometimes, to show how deeply they were afflicted, they covered them up, or even cut them off, or tore them out (2Samuel 19:24;Isaiah 15:2;Jeremiah 41:5, &c.). Because it was so precious a treasure, it was customary among some of the ancients to present to their gods the firstlings of their beards. The prohibition before us alludes to this practice. . . .
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You must notלֹ֣א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nocut off the hairתַקִּ֔פוּ(ṯaq·qi·p̄ū)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5362:To strike, to knock together, surround, circulateat the sidesפְּאַ֖ת(pə·’aṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6285:Mouth, direction, region, extremityof your headרֹאשְׁכֶ֑ם(rō·šə·ḵem)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7218:The heador clip offתַשְׁחִ֔ית(ṯaš·ḥîṯ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7843:Perhaps to go to ruinthe edgesפְּאַ֥ת(pə·’aṯ)Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 6285:Mouth, direction, region, extremityof your beard.זְקָנֶֽךָ׃(zə·qā·ne·ḵā)Noun - common singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2206:Beard, chin
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OT Law: Leviticus 19:27 You shall not cut the hair (Le Lv Lev.) 
