1 How wonderful and pleasant it is. Just as Aaron was the prophet to Moses, John becomes the prophet who heralds the salvation inaugurated by Christ. God poured out his Spirit on the great and final High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church. In total, three items are placed in the ark of the covenant: Manna, The 10 Commandments, and Aarons staff. Much of the Law dealt with living in a community. King David was the second king of Israel and he is one of the most important figures in the Bible. For harmony is as precious as the fragrant anointing oil that was poured over Aarons head and ran down onto his beard and onto the border of his robe. For example, John the Baptist is mentioned as having a beard in Luke 1:15. For example, in 1 Corinthians 11:14, Paul says that if a man has long hair, its a shame to him. So who had beards in the Bible? However, there were a few exceptions. For the oil was not sprinkled on the head of Aaron, though that might have been sufficient for the purpose of a mere ceremony. Some people believe that beards were also seen as a sign of holiness in biblical times. And you shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume mixture, the work of a perfumer; it shall be a holy anointing oil . and onto the border of his robe. Pulling or shaving off a beard could be a sign of being a captive or in mourning. Aaron 's beard s) A common name for several plants, which have tufts of stamens. Ezekiel was a prophet who lived in the 6th century BC. Remarkably, this final verse also reminds us of Israels special place with God. Magnificence, misnamed by churls extravagance and waste, is the invariable attribute of all true love. ( First attested in the late 19th century.) Thereafter, he gives him various laws, one of which concerns cutting hair. Dont we all want to live in unity? Though Jesus is portrayed with a beard doesnt mean he had one. Those are good questions, and well take a look at each of them in a moment. It is like having perfumed oil poured on the priests head and running down his beard. It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. Holy oil was often used in relation to worship of God. Instead, they probably used a sharp sword or knife to trim their beards. It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beardAarons beard coming down on the collar of his robes. Aaron is no mere sidekick. For instance, some of the priests from the surrounding nations shaved their heads as part of rituals. All content Tim Challies, 2002-2023. Verse 2. Each should realize it, and by love and wise conduct diffuse it. 1) Aaron's Robe: Beauty & Glory. It might seem as if it were better not to smear his garments with oil, but the sacred unguent could not be restrained, it flowed over his holy robes; even thus does brotherly love not only flow over the hearts upon which it was first poured out, and descend to those who are an inferior part of the mystical body of Christ, but it runs where it is not sought for, asking neither leave nor license to make its way. The spices were myrrh, cinnamon, cane, and cassia. He does not merely perform the sacrifices; he also blesses the people. It is the bond of his priesthood which joins us together as brethren. Leviticus 8:12 And he poured of the anointing oil upon Aaron's head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. He has good reason to be grateful for it! Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. Bible Answers Aarons beard which was part of his identity as a priest had to be aligned to the collar of his robes so that the anointing oil could flow seamlessly. 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. Most men can grow some sort of facial hair, but the thickness and fullness of beards vary from person to person. What about the dew of Hermon? In Psalm 133, the blessing of life eternal is likened to a . Proud member 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. After Mephibosheth was accused of betrayal by his servant (2 Samuel 16:1-4), he stopped washing his clothes and trimming his beard as a sign of his concern. Abraham, Moses, and Jesus were all considered strong and powerful men, and beards may have been seen as a way to express that power. A variety of different types of appearance were used, including the thin, long-faced figure with long, centrally parted hair that was later to become the norm. Is the man a believer in Christ? I seek to study God's Word and to share what I learn with others. 133 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments. Most of them were clean-shaven. John the Baptist was a prophet who lived in the 1st century BC. The prophet Isaiah spoke severally about the sin of Israel and the suffering of obedient servants of God. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. God expected his children to obey for their own good. It is thus not insignificant that the birth of the new Moses is preceded by the birth of a new Aaron. By 400 C.E., most artists were depicting Jesus with a beard. His beard represents his strength and power. Some Muslims believe that growing a beard is a sign of piety and devotion to God. Jewish men took care of their beards by trimming them and putting oil on them. Individuals who had taken a Nazirite pledge (Numbers 6) did not use a razor on any part of their head. Psalm 133:1-3 New Century Version (NCV) 1 It is good and pleasant. Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?. He is best known for when the Lord told David to defeat Goliath, as well as for his unending compassion for his people. Perhaps the biggest legacy of Aarons life and ministry is the blessing attached to his name. I am simply a Christian. This is explicitly stated as such. At Mount Sinai, however, Aaron takes on the role of Israels priest. He was not only anointed himself, but he is our anointer. It has 2 to 4 inch ovate or oblong, acute leaves and large 5-petaled, 5-sepaled yellow . I'd say it was pretty long, right?! Yes, he is a flawed person, imperfect, and easily swayed by his own insecurity. One is that beards were simply more common in biblical times than they are today. This oil was both liquid and fragrantit would flow and it would smell, and it seems that both properties included an element of symbolism. Inasmuch as was beard was a sign of honor, priesthood, and anointing, it had to be taken care of by trimming. fishing with canned anchovies; pros and cons of living in mackay; is alaska: the last frontier coming . The names, events, and lineages found in the Old Testament are often explored, or spoken of, in the pages of the New Testament. It was an outward sign of his obedience to Gods Law. He is best known for his religious reforms and for his extensive building projects. 33:1. By the grace of God, I seek to teach the Bible with clarity through my blog articles and eBooks. 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! A beard that was left unattended symbolized neglect, uncleanliness, and a carefree life. That said, the symbolism of a beard is so strong in the Bible bordering honor on one side and shame on the other depending on how it was treated. that falls on the mountains of Zion. At one point, Moses even had to rebuke him for not shaving his beard (Exodus 4:27). . (NASB) Ps. The beginning of the psalm gives us the reason for its writing. This blessing is not simply a quaint text of the past. Did Any New Testament Prophets Grow Beards? In this prayer and song of the unity of the church, it is note worthy how, commencing with the fundamental idea of "brethren", we rise to the realization of the Elder Brother, who is our common anointed High Priest. In fact, Samsons hair was so strong that it was the source of his power (Judges 16:17). Psalm 133:2 Parallel Verses [ See commentary ] Psalm 133:2, NIV: It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down on the collar of his robe. However, beards were seen as a sign of masculinity and power in biblical times, so God likely saw them as an important part of a mans appearance as an adorned man and part of his manly dignity who God created in His own image. The older brother appears jealous of his younger brothers popularity, and leadership. New Living Translation For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron's head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. It is a picture of very different people, yet people who are united. Though every priest was anointed, yet only the high priest was anointed on the head, and there is a tradition that this rite was omitted after the Captivity, so that there is a special stress on the name of Aaron. Verse 2.Down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments.Not the extremity of them, as our version inclines to; for not so great a quantity of oil was poured upon him; nor would it have been decent to have his clothes thus greased from top to bottom; but the upper part of his garment, the top of his coat, on which the beard lay, as Zarchi; the neck or . That people who live together in unity, they mirror the setting apart of priests for the work of the temple. Beards have been having a moment in the last few years, but theyre still not as popular as they were in biblical times because they require a bit more maintenance. In the same manner, the children of Israel had to be aligned metaphorically from the head that was their leadership down to the beard which was the priesthood and to the collar of the robes. There are mixed opinions on beards today. With Moses delayed at the top of the mountain, Aaron is requested to cast new gods for the people. The Talmud, which is a collection of rabbinic writings, states that the beard ought to be left grown (Shabbat 151b). He is mentioned in the Bible nearly 350 times. This is no truer than when it comes to Aaron. That ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard. . Jesus was faithful to follow the Law given to Moses. Thank you. Like the oil that came down Aarons beard, the dew of Hermon comes down as well. Any suggestions? This may be because beards were not considered fashionable during that period. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! In the same way that oil was poured onto Aaron by someone else, unity was poured onto the people by God. It is like the precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aarons beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes. Aaron was set apart (sanctified) and anointed as high priest. Psalm 133:2. The scripture compares this unity to the anointing of Aaron for priesthood. He helped to establish the priesthood and was also responsible for making the Golden Calf. It signifies dedication and spirituality. After Mephibosheth was accused of betrayal by his servant (2 Samuel 16:1-4), he stopped washing his clothes and trimming his beard as a sign of his concern The earliest pictures of Jesus date from 200-300 years after his birth. This was available to those who worshipped God acceptably at the hills of Zion and followed those whom He anointed. ************************************. Beards are considered very important to the Hasidic community and a mans beard signifies often a symbol of religious devotion, symbolizing godly men through their physical appearance. Brotherly love comes from the head, but falls to the feet. Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. Finally, its possible that beards had religious significance in biblical times. Nevertheless, beards are here to stay. What is the meaning of Psalm 133:2 when it says, . It is a powerful invocation of Gods activity for our lives. View all posts by James Hutton. It is like the precious ointment on the head, that ran down on the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; Psalm 141:5 Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also shall be in their calamities. Aaron was the brother of Moses and he is also one of the most well-known figures in the Bible. The past not use a razor on any part of rituals doesnt mean he had one merely perform the ;... Gives us the reason for its writing says that if a man has long hair, it is meaning. To his name had religious significance in biblical times than they are today did! Oil was poured onto Aaron by someone else, unity was poured onto Aaron by someone else, was. That oil was poured onto the people a sign of being a captive or in mourning is! 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