To Beard or Not to Beard

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Is it a sin for a man not to have a beard or cut his hair on the sides?


Law concerning Beards in the Bible:

It is the law of God that defines what sin is (1 John 3:4).  There is no law of God saying you need to wear a Beard!  There is a law not to shave BUT this is specifically on behalf of the dead! There is a Law of God addressing what not to do with the Beard (Bible verses below).


Law concerning Hair in the Bible (for men):


Similar to the beard, those who have hair, they need to keep it well trimmed and do not purposefully disfigure it. 


Here are some not so good examples of people who did contrary.  This doesn’t mean God approved as this was part of the judgement. 

Jer 41:5 that certain men came from Shechem, from Shiloh, and from Samaria, eighty men with their beards shaved and their clothes torn, having cut themselves, with offerings and incense in their hand, to bring them to the house of the LORD. 

Jer 48:37  "For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped; On all the hands shall be cuts, and on the loins sackcloth—


Some Objections:

  1. Questions: We need to imitate Yeshua and He wore a beard. Answers: Yeshua also wore a one-piece tunic and sandals too, what does 1 Cor. 11:1 refer to. 
  2. Questions: This is an important topic and shows obedience. Answer: Obedience based on scripture not the Talmud or by Tradition or Culture.
  3. Questions: It says in the Talmud we must wear a beard. Answer: Yeshua warned people about the leaven of the Pharisees so why go to the Talmud?
  4. Question: Leaders like Clement and Tyndale support having a beard. Answer: So? If God told us to wear a beard or not then we should obey but if not, why tell people to!