Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BEARD

Hair grown on the lower half of the face, usually excluding the mustache. Beards worn during ancient periods were viewed with great reverence and often symbolized strength and virility. In some cultures, such as ancient Babylon, important oaths were sworn upon beards. In contrast, Egyptians generally wore little to no hair on their bodies, but some pharaohs wore false beards to define their position. To further illustrate the beard’s importance, Queen Hatshepsut (ca. 1500 b.c.) is depicted in sculptured portraits wearing a false beard.

The beard was also paramount in ancient Israel. It was considered a sign of humiliation for an adult male not to have a beard (2 Sam. 10:4-5). However, men often shaved their beards during periods of mourning (Jer. 41:5).

Beards varied in shapes and styles in ancient Near East. Intricate designs, curls, and patterns defined the style of beards worn by the Assyrians, Babylonians, and Sumerians. Sculptures from each of these cultures depict beards extending to the mid or upper chest. Depending upon the culture, the end of the beard may have been round, flat, or pointed.

Bibliography. W. Cooper, Hair, Sex, Society, and Symbolism (New York, 1971); M. Roaf, Cultural Atlas of Mesopotamia and the Ancient Near East (New York, 1990).

Theodore W. Burgh

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BEARD

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)