Leviticus 21:5

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

They shall not make {H7139} baldness {H7144} upon their head {H7218}, neither shall they shave off {H1548} the corner {H6285} of their beard {H2206}, nor make {H8295} any cuttings {H8296} in their flesh {H1320}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Cohanim are not to make bald spots on their heads, mar the edges of their beards or cut gashes in their flesh.

Berean Standard Bible

Priests must not make bald spots on their heads, shave off the edges of their beards, or make cuts in their bodies.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 21:5 outlines specific prohibitions for Israel's priests regarding their physical appearance and mourning practices. These commands forbid intentional baldness on the head, shaving the corners of the beard, and making cuttings in the flesh. These regulations served to distinguish the consecrated priesthood from the defiling customs of surrounding pagan nations, emphasizing their unique role as holy representatives of Yahweh and upholding the sanctity of the human body as God's creation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus chapters 21 and 22 meticulously detail the laws governing the Aaronic priesthood, emphasizing their unique status and the stringent requirements for their holiness and purity. Chapter 21, specifically, focuses on the personal conduct and physical integrity of the priests, including restrictions related to marriage, contact with the dead, and physical blemishes. Verse 5, situated within this framework, addresses external expressions of grief and body modifications, which were common among pagan cultures but deemed incompatible with the consecrated life of those serving the holy God of Israel. These prohibitions are part of a broader call for the priests to embody a visible and spiritual separation that reflected the divine standard of holiness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East was replete with diverse religious practices, many of which involved ritualistic mourning and bodily mutilation. Practices such as shaving the head or specific parts of the beard, or gashing the body, were common expressions of extreme grief, self-abasement, or attempts to appease deities. For instance, the prophets of Baal famously "cut themselves with swords and lances, after their custom, until the blood gushed out upon them" during their contest with Elijah on Mount Carmel, as recorded in [1 Kings 18:28](/1_kings/18-28 "1 Kings 18:28 - Prophets of Baal Cut Themselves"). Similarly, ancient Egyptian, Canaanite, and Mesopotamian cultures had various forms of ritualistic body alteration. By forbidding these practices, God ensured that His priests, and by extension His people, were visibly distinct from these pagan nations, whose worship often involved defiling and destructive rituals. This distinction underscored the unique nature of Yahweh's worship, which valued life, bodily integrity, and an authentic, non-mutilating expression of grief, as also prohibited for all Israelites in [Leviticus 19:28](/leviticus/19-28 "Leviticus 19:28 - Prohibitions Against Self-Mutilation") and [Deuteronomy 14:1](/deuteronomy/14-1 "Deuteronomy 14:1 - Do Not Cut Yourselves for the Dead").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Baldness (Hebrew, _qorḥāh'_):** This term refers to an intentional shaving or plucking of hair from the head, specifically for mourning the dead or as an act of devotion to pagan deities. It signifies a deliberate act of disfigurement, often associated with extreme grief or ritualistic self-abasement, and was a common practice among non-Israelite peoples to express sorrow or seek favor from their gods.
* **Corner of their beard (Hebrew, _pe'at zeqānām'_):** This phrase refers to the sideburns or the edges of the beard, particularly around the temples and cheeks. The prohibition against shaving these areas was not against all beard trimming, but specifically targeted styles or practices associated with pagan priests or mourning rites, which often involved shaping the beard in distinctive, cultic ways. It served to visually differentiate the Israelite priesthood from their pagan counterparts.
* **Cuttings in their flesh (Hebrew, _śereṭ nefeš'_):** Literally meaning "incision of soul" or "cutting for the dead," this refers to self-mutilation, such as gashing or branding the body. This practice was a widespread pagan ritual, performed to express intense grief, appease deities, or induce ecstatic states. The prohibition underscores the sanctity of the human body as God's creation and rejects practices that defile or dishonor it, particularly those linked to idolatry or desperate, hopeless mourning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They shall not make baldness upon their head":** This clause specifically forbids the priests from shaving or plucking hair from their heads as a sign of mourning or religious devotion. This practice was common in pagan cultures as an extreme expression of grief for the dead or as a ritualistic act for false gods, and its prohibition ensured the priests' visual distinction and adherence to God's standards of holiness.
* **"neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard":** This command prohibits the priests from trimming or shaving the sideburns or edges of their beards in a manner associated with pagan religious practices. While beards were generally worn, specific styles or complete removal of the beard's "corners" were linked to idolatrous rituals or mourning customs, making this a crucial identifier of the priest's separation unto Yahweh.
* **"nor make any cuttings in their flesh":** This final prohibition forbids any form of self-mutilation, such as gashing, branding, or tattooing the body. Such practices were often performed in pagan contexts to appease deities, express profound sorrow, or enter into ecstatic worship. For the priests, this command underscored the sanctity of the human body as God's creation and reinforced their complete separation from the defiling and desperate rituals of the surrounding nations.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 21:5 primarily employs **Prohibition** through negative commands ("shall not make," "neither shall they shave," "nor make"). This direct, imperative language underscores the absolute nature of the divine decree. The verse also utilizes a form of **Parallelism**, listing three distinct but related actions that are all forbidden, thereby emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the priests' required separation from pagan practices. Each forbidden act serves as a **Symbol** of the priest's consecrated status; their physical appearance and bodily integrity were to reflect their internal holiness and their unique relationship with Yahweh. The entire verse functions as a **Contrast** to the prevailing customs of surrounding cultures, highlighting the distinctiveness of Israel's worship and the purity demanded of those who served the one true God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Leviticus 21:5 powerfully articulates the foundational principle of holiness and separation that permeated the Israelite priesthood. These prohibitions were not arbitrary but were deeply rooted in God's desire for His consecrated servants to be visibly and spiritually distinct from the idolatrous and defiling practices of the pagan nations. The physical body, as God's creation, was to be honored and preserved, not desecrated through rituals associated with false gods or hopeless grief. This emphasis on external distinction served as a constant reminder of the internal purity and devotion required of those who ministered in the presence of a holy God, setting a standard for all who would draw near to Him.

* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguish Between Holy and Unholy")
* [Deuteronomy 14:1](/deuteronomy/14-1 "Deuteronomy 14:1 - Do Not Cut Yourselves for the Dead")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific commands of Leviticus 21:5 were for the Aaronic priesthood, the timeless principles of holiness, distinction, and respect for the body resonate deeply with believers today. As Christians, we are called to be a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), set apart for God's purposes in a world often defined by values contrary to His. This passage challenges us to critically examine our own expressions of grief, our bodily choices, and our cultural engagements. Are we allowing worldly customs or despair to dictate our responses, or are we seeking to honor God in all things, reflecting His hope and the sanctity of life He has given us? Our outward appearance and actions should consistently bear witness to our inward transformation and our commitment to Christ, ensuring that we do not inadvertently align ourselves with practices that dishonor God or obscure our identity as His holy people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might current cultural practices, even seemingly innocuous ones, subtly contradict God's call for holiness and distinction in my life?**
* **How does my approach to grief and loss reflect a Christian hope rather than the despair or superstitious practices of those without God?**
* **Considering my body as a "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")), what choices can I make to better honor God with my physical self?**

### FAQ
**Why were these specific practices forbidden for the priests?**

Answer: These specific practices—making baldness, shaving beard corners, and cutting the flesh—were forbidden because they were common mourning rituals and religious rites practiced by pagan nations surrounding Israel. For example, [1 Kings 18:28](/1_kings/18-28 "1 Kings 18:28 - Prophets of Baal Cut Themselves") describes the prophets of Baal cutting themselves. God intended His priests to be visibly and spiritually distinct from these idolatrous cultures, symbolizing their unique consecration to Him. Their appearance was to reflect God's holiness and separation from defiling practices, ensuring that their ministry and person were untainted by pagan associations.

**Does this verse mean Christians cannot get tattoos or shave their heads?**

Answer: While Leviticus 21:5 specifically addresses the Israelite priesthood and their unique ceremonial role, the underlying principle is about avoiding practices associated with pagan idolatry and defilement. The prohibition against "cuttings in their flesh" in this context refers to ritualistic self-mutilation for the dead or false gods, a practice also forbidden to all Israelites in [Leviticus 19:28](/leviticus/19-28 "Leviticus 19:28 - Prohibitions Against Self-Mutilation"). Modern tattoos and head-shaving (e.g., for fashion, medical reasons, or personal preference) are generally not performed in the context of pagan worship or self-mutilation for the dead. Therefore, a direct, literal application of these specific prohibitions to all Christians today regarding modern practices is often debated, with emphasis shifting to the New Testament principles of honoring God with our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19-20 "Your Body is a Temple of the Holy Spirit")) and avoiding practices that cause others to stumble or compromise our witness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Leviticus 21:5, with its stringent demands for priestly holiness and distinctiveness, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. As our great High Priest, Jesus perfectly embodied the holiness and separation that the Levitical priests could only imperfectly shadow. Unlike the Aaronic priests, whose bodies were subject to defilement and death, Jesus' body was undefiled and offered as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, as highlighted in [Hebrews 7:26-27](/hebrews/7-26-27 "Hebrews 7:26-27 - Jesus, Our Perfect High Priest"). He never engaged in any defiling practices, nor did He need to mourn with the hopeless rituals of paganism, for He is the resurrection and the life ([John 11:25](/john/11-25 "John 11:25 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Through His perfect life and atoning death, Christ not only fulfilled the Law's demands for holiness but also inaugurated a new covenant where all believers become a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), called to live lives of spiritual distinctiveness and purity, reflecting His glory rather than conforming to the world's patterns ([Romans 12:2](/romans/12-2 "Romans 12:2 - Do Not Be Conformed to This World")). The physical prohibitions for the Old Testament priests thus point forward to the spiritual transformation and consecrated living that is now possible for all who are in Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 14:1

¶ Ye [are] the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

Ezekiel 44:20

Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads.

Leviticus 19:27

Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

Leviticus 19:28

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I [am] the LORD.

Jeremiah 48:37

For every head [shall be] bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands [shall be] cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.

Amos 8:10

And I will turn your feasts into mourning, and all your songs into lamentation; and I will bring up sackcloth upon all loins, and baldness upon every head; and I will make it as the mourning of an only [son], and the end thereof as a bitter day.

Leviticus 10:6

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.