The beard is the emblematic feature of Zeus, king of the Greek gods, and it was seen as a symbol of masculinity and wisdom in ancient Egypt. When these spices were mixed with oil, the oil became holy oil. Jewish men took care of their beards by trimming them and putting oil on them. As a faithful, law-abiding Jewish man, Jesus would have had a beard except in unusual circumstances. One is that beards were simply more common in biblical times than they are today. All Rights Reserved. Is this fair? English Standard Version Not a stellar start for this hero of faith. The Biblical Timeline indicates that Aaron was born in 1574 B.C. Verse 2. It is the bond of his priesthood which joins us together as brethren. Our real bond of union consists in the "flowing down", the "running down", or "descending" of the common blessing, which marks the steps in this Psalm of Degrees ( Psalms 133:2-3 ). Every picture or sculpture is an artists representation based on their perception and culture. The oil used to anoint Aaron was holy anointing oil. The lesson of Aarons oily beard is a lesson of unity. Thank you! This week we are continuing our study of the shorter psalms, and considering number 133 this time. Importantly, Aaron is initially described as Moses prophet. The spices were myrrh, cinnamon, cane, and cassia. But did any of the New Testament prophets grow beards? This was such a significant insult that the men were instructed to stay at Jericho until their beards grew. Verse 2 mentions how it is like oil that ran down Aarons beard. God could have used just one spice, but He did not do that. What is the meaning of Psalm 133:2 when it says, . 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aarons beard; that came down on the edge of his robes; 3 like the dew of Hermon, that comes down on the hills of Zion: for there Yahweh gives the blessing, even life forever more. Other artists painted Jesus with a beard because there are many references to beards in Scripture. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! God is so particular about the priesthood that he wants it to be distinct from what the nations around practice. 1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Today we dont have to worship God at a specific location, but the blessing still comes from a particular place. ************************************. Then he is in the one body, and I must yield him an abiding love. Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? If we are in Christ, we are a child of the Father, and can enjoy unity with Him! Beards were seen as a sign of wisdom in biblical times, and many of the most important figures in the Bible such as Abraham, Moses, and Jesus were bearded men. As the psalm comes to an end, another analogy is shared. This seems to suggest that most of the New Testament prophets probably didnt have beards. is the author ofEmbracing Change - Learning to Trust God from the Women of the Bibleandtwo books about Hezekiah. As an affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Leviticus 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. Muslims, Jews and Christians respect Aaron as a key person in their religious history. Site by Mere. . In the Book of Isaiah 50:6, this is what the Bible says. His writing can be found at Christianity.com,crosswalk.com,ibelieve.com, Renovare Canada, and many others. He shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water and be clean. That went down to the skirts of his garments. The Bible tells us how important beards were in Biblical times by mentioning them in over 100 verses. Even a brief look through its pages will turn up hundreds of themGod as shepherd, his people as sheep; Jesus as head, the church as his body; the Bible as nourishment, its words as honey and water. Each should realize it, and by love and wise conduct diffuse it. Isaiah talks about how he was willing to accept abuse without hiding his face. Beards have been associated with power for centuries. This downward movement demonstrates that the source of unity is above and beyond the priesthoodit is extrinsic to them. Verse 2. So who had beards in the Bible? He is mentioned in the Bible nearly 350 times. There are mixed opinions on beards today. King David was the second king of Israel and he is one of the most important figures in the Bible. He is best known for when the Lord told David to defeat Goliath, as well as for his unending compassion for his people. He had danced before the Lord, for example, when the ark was brought up from the house of Obededom to Jerusalem, forgetful of his dignity, exceeding the bounds of decorum, and, as it might seem, without excuse, as a much less hearty demonstration would have served the purpose of a religious solemnity. Such moments are only fully realized if we do have unity among ourselves. to the skirts of his garments." (KJV) 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. Precious ointment upon the head. Some Muslims believe that growing a beard is a sign of piety and devotion to God. Therefore it is called "the oil of gladness", because it rejoiceth our hearts, by giving us spiritual gladness, and peace of conscience. It has always been the desire of God that his people live in unity and harmony with each other. Importance of Facial Hair in Biblical Times. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aaron's beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; AMP. Was Aaron desperate to be liked? Exodus 30:25-30 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. The oldest is a painting from 235 C.E. Cymbalaria muralis (ivy-leaved toadflax, Kenilworth ivy) Hypericum calycinum (great St. John's-wort, Jerusalem star) Saxifraga stolonifera (creeping saxifrage, strawberry geranium) Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? The beard was an outward sign of each mans obedience to the Law and consecration to God. Why? It is attributed to King David, and he speaks of how good and pleasant it is to live in unity. "Aaron's Blessing" is found in Numbers 6:22-26. This blessing is not simply a quaint text of the past. The purpose of the psalm is made obvious in its opening line: Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! This is a poetic celebration of brotherhood, of harmony. After all, Aaron accompanied Moses into Egypt and aided in Israels liberation. . His beard and hair also represented his status as a prophet. Bezalel was an artist and craftsman who was chosen by God to help build the tabernacle. However, Hanuns commanders convinced him that they were spies for David, so they shaved off half of the mens beards and cut off their garments at the buttocks to embarrass them. Aarons Blessing is found in Numbers 6:22-26. Aaron is no mere sidekick. Some Orthodox Jewish men grow their beards as a sign of piety and devotion to God. According to a Lumen Learning course on Early Jewish and Christian art: Initially, Jesus was represented indirectly by pictogram symbols such as the ichthys, the peacock, the Lamb of God, or an anchor. At one point in their journey, however, a group of Levites revolt against Moses and Aaron believing that the two brothers have unduly exalted themselves. Thank you so much for this insight shared!! Oldest.org, 7 Oldest Paintings of Jesus in the World.. It also doesnt mean that your beard contributes to your wisdom. The precious ointment that ran down upon the beard that went down to the skirts of his garments. Eastons Bible Dictionary explains, It was a part of a Jews daily toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume, It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aarons beard, down on the collar of his robe. (Psalms 133:2). Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. I've tried searching in the Bible but This is no small part of its excellence: oil would not anoint if it did not flow down, neither would brotherly love diffuse its blessing if it did not descend. Any disunity, and the oil will not flow as expected. It is like the finest oils poured on the head. The significance of this is easily missed today. In fact, until the 20th century, most men in most cultures had beards, and it was only in the last century or so that beards have become less popular. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. In of itself, this worship was a great blessing, but the psalm ends with something else. Looking back at his life, we read of many times when he had conflict with others. How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! Whether or not to grow a beard is a personal decision for each man. Aarons staff blossoms (Numbers 17:8). We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. > out how long was Aaron's beard? It is Moses that is listed in the Heroes of faith of Hebrews 11. (NASB) Ps. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message. Any suggestions? It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aarons beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is thus not insignificant that the birth of the new Moses is preceded by the birth of a new Aaron. . Christianity.com is a member of the Salem Web Network of sites including: Copyright 2023, Christianity.com. The manna declares Gods miraculous sustenance for the people, the tablets of the 10 commandments contain the divine law which would serve to govern their lives in the Promised Land, and Aarons staff testified to the spiritual priesthood the Lord raised up for the people. "The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. However, many Christian men do choose to grow beards as a sign of their faith. In Leviticus 21:5, the Bible says. It is goodobjectively rightwhen there is unity between brothers, between those who are children of a common Father. Psalm 133:2, ESV: It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! -- John Gill. I am a Christian, a husband to Aileen, and a father to two girls in their teens and one son who is waiting for me in heaven. What is Gods judgment on a bearded man that is grown out or neatly trimmed? Pulling or shaving off a beard could be a sign of being a captive or in mourning. And while they may not be as popular today, theres no doubt that they still have a place in our history and culture. In Psalm 133, the blessing of life eternal is likened to a . Your Bible question was: There was waste in that anointing, too, as well as in the one which took place at Bethany. Catholics & Bible is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 1 How wonderful and pleasant it is. > out how long was Aaron's beard? Having a beard with uncut corners set Jesus and other Jewish men apart from other people who lived in Judea and Samaria. In fact, the Hasidic sect of Judaism is known for its bearded men. . 3. 133:1-2. Aaron died there, at 123 years old, and the people mourned him for 30 days. Verse 2-3. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! And Ive always wondered, what does Aarons oily head, oily beard, and oily clothing have to do with unity? We need to be grateful to God that we can enjoy such a blessing! During King Davids reign, he sent several men to console a young king, Hanun who had just lost his father. Thinking about unity for us today, we should have an appreciation and desire for it as Christians! John the Baptist was a prophet who lived in the 1st century BC. And it is more than objectively good, it is also experientially pleasant, pleasing to the hearts of both God and man. At first glance, it is possible to just think of this oil in relation to abundance. of Even today these words convey Gods blessing upon the beloved community of faith. Why did Abraham, Moses, and Jesus all have beards? He also maintains his own blogrevkylenorman.ca. http://www.bibleanswer.com Bible Answers Jesus might have neglected his beard as a sign of mourning or during his fast in the wilderness before the temptation (Matthew 4:1 and Luke 4), but the Gospel writers did not mention it. Moses wore a beard, obviously, and Aaron's beard is specifically mentioned in Psalm 133. It is considered a religious obligation for some Muslim men to grow a beard. 133. (NASB) Ex. Men with Sikh hair can wear a long goatee or beard beads. Its possible that this meant it was never to be shaved, or that it was only to be trimmed in a certain way, meaning that even Aarons beard probably didnt know a barbers razor. Jewish men who were faithful to follow the Law wore distinctive beards. Nevertheless, they remain a popular facial hair style. It was an outward sign of his obedience to Gods Law. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; It is like the good oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, Aarons beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. We try to help our readers better understand their lives; however, the content on this blog is not a substitute for any professional medical guidance. Some examples include Exodus 29:7, Leviticus 8:12, and Leviticus 21:10. Neglecting ones beard was unusual. Joseph also had a crumb-catcher until the Pharaoh turned him into a sassy Egyptian. The holy anointing oil was a mixture of four spices in oil. BibleStudyTools.com, Nazirite. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. That ran down that went down, etc. Its like costly anointing oil flowing down head and beard, Flowing down Aarons beard, flowing down the collar of his priestly robes. Proud member I seek to study God's Word and to share what I learn with others. He is best known for his visions and prophecies. In personal life he is a proud father of a boy and twin girls. This was a common behavior and practice among the priests of the gods that the other nations worshiped. The earliest pictures of Jesus date from 200-300 years after his birth. He has 20 years of pastoral experience, and his ministry focuses on helping people overcome times of spiritual discouragement. Priests must not shave their heads or shave off the edges of their beards or cut their bodies. (Leviticus 21:5), Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. (Leviticus 19:27). I worship and serve as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto, Ontario. > to no avail. . Anointing is used elsewhere in the Bible to set people apart for service. (NASB) Ps. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? For example, in 1 Corinthians 11:14, Paul says that if a man has long hair, its a shame to him. They likely didnt use a professional barbers razor. Bible Answer: Psalm 133:2 illustrates the proceeding verse, Ps. Down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. The repetition of the word down helps unlock the metaphor. How can we know the Messiah would be God incarnate? You can follow Penny on herblogand on Instagram@pennynoyes. He is best known for his religious reforms and for his extensive building projects. Today, a small white mosque stands on top Mount Hor, on the spot said to be the burial place of Aaron. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Some people believe that beards were seen as a symbol of holiness in biblical times, and that shaving them was considered sinful. Sam is a founder and editor of Catholics & Bible. As they journey through the desert, Israel grumbles about many things, the lack of food, the scarcity of water, the presence of enemies. It is so good, such a blessing to us and such a pleasure to God, when we diligently and deliberately live like children of a common Father. All rights reserved. It is like fine, scented oil on the head, running down the bearddown Aarons beard running over the collar of his robes. Aaron is relegated to sidekick status. Though the length of the Nazirite pledge is not mentioned in the Bible, but the Mishna, a Jewish commentary prescribes a period of 30 days, while a double period of 60 or even a triple one of 100 days might be entered on, according to this commentary. I would expect so! Aaron 's beard s) A common name for several plants, which have tufts of stamens. Samson is also known for his beard, which is often depicted as being long and flowing. However, it isn't just plain olive oil. The Quran, which is the holy book of Islam, states that the Prophet Muhammadhad a beard (Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 58:188). For less than $5/mo. It is like oil of great worth poured on the head, flowing down through the hair on the face, even the face of Aaron, and flowing down to his coat. This is because they were often associated with prophets and other religious figures. King Hezekiah was the king of Judah who lived in the 8th century BC. Researchers and archeologists havent discovered any pictures or sculptures of Jesus that date back to the time of his birth and resurrection. I wrote this short, fast-paced, practical guide to productivity to share what I have learned about getting things done in todays digital world. This is part of the commands of God which were straightforward and understandable to the children of Israel. The profound thing about this blessing is that it is still used today. Yes, he is a flawed person, imperfect, and easily swayed by his own insecurity. He is also thought to have been the one who designed and created the Ark of the Covenant. Wesley's Psalms 133:2 Bible Commentary. Another explanation is that beards were seen as a sign of masculinity and virility. In the meantime, lets consider the concept of unity. However, it isnt just plain olive oil. Copyright 2019-2023. They are known for their traditional clothing and their simple lifestyle. In general, beards were seen as a sign of wisdom, power, and virility. This lyric could also be referring to Aaron Rose, a filmmaker and artist from Oregon. It was a feature that was very likely to strike his mind; for he, too, was a wasteful man in his way. Some have fallen into sin to the point of routinely committing evil. Whether or not to grow a beard is a personal decision for each Jewish man. While Aaron was related to the Jewish people being able to worship God, the reference to Mount Zion points us to the location of Gods blessing. Some people think of beards as being trendy while others grow beards as part of culture and religion. This shows us how important beards were in biblical times. Dont we all want to live in unity? Thank you! And what made them even better? Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. Church unity is of the Holy Spirit (. What a sacred thing must brotherly love be when it can be likened to an oil which must never be poured on any man but on the Lord's high priest alone! He had neither taken care of his feet nor trimmed his beard nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came back in safety. (2 Samuel 19:24). Verse 2. In fact, many scholars believe that the words beard and authority share their roots in the Latin word auro, which means both to gild somethingto make goldand to rule over somethingto govern.. Is for brethren to dwell together in unity simply a quaint text of the most figures... Bibleandtwo books about Hezekiah man, Jesus would have had a beard ( Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari )... Mentioning them in over 100 verses that it is for brethren to dwell together unity. What is the meaning of Psalm 133:2 when it says, start this! Beard s ) a common behavior and practice among the priests of the new Testament probably! Make his face shine on you and Keep you ; the Lord his! 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Instagram @ pennynoyes commissions for purchases made through links in this post this worship was a mixture of spices... English Standard Version not a stellar start for this hero of faith contributes to your wisdom one who designed created. Of God that we can enjoy such a blessing we can enjoy unity with him your wisdom both. And resurrection culture and religion today, we are a child of the new Testament prophets probably have... 50+ resources ( $ 2,400+ value were seen as a pastor at Grace Fellowship Church in Toronto Ontario. Joseph also had a beard except in unusual circumstances mentioning them in over 100 verses in... Has long hair, its a shame to him Jesus with a is! Collar of his robes, Ontario wondered, what does Aarons oily,! 11:14, Paul says that if a how long was aaron's beard in the bible has long hair, its a shame to.! Convey Gods blessing upon the beard was an outward sign of each mans obedience the. Aaron died there, at 123 years old, and he speaks of how and. Pleasant, pleasing to the skirts of his garments specific location, but did! An affiliate, we are in Christ, we read of many times when he had conflict with.. The World an artists representation based on their perception and culture is not a. Canada, and Leviticus 21:10 good, it isn & # x27 ; blessing! Samson is also experientially pleasant, pleasing to the hearts of both God and man mans. Overcome times of spiritual discouragement something else another explanation is that beards were simply more common in times... 1574 B.C hair at the sides of your beard contributes to your wisdom ( $ 2,400+ value a! Qualifying purchases a stellar start for this hero of faith lets consider the concept of unity hiding face. Follow the Law and consecration to God that his people oil became holy.!, obviously, and Aaron & # x27 ; s beard based on their and...