Translations
Modern
You must not cut off the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
Traditional
Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
Literal
You shall not round off the edge of your head, and you shall not destroy the edge of your beard.
Latin
Neque in rotundum attondebitis comam, nec radetis barbam.
Original
Hebrew
English
You must not cut off the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
Notes
do not clip off: Egyptian wall paintings show that Canaanites trimmed their hair and beards carefully. The Israelites were told not to copy this practice so that they would not be influenced by Canaanite religion and ethics.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Beard Biblical Concept of Law Deuteronomy, Book of Hairstyles and Beards History of Israel Law of Moses Leviticus, Book of Mourning Neighbor Tema (Place)
Topics
Beard: Idolatrous Practice of Marring, Forbidden Facial Hair Men and Long Hair Sorcery: Forbidden The Beard: Corners of, not to be Marred for the Dead