Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the razor was a tool primarily used for shaving hair, and it held significant cultural and religious implications. The Hebrew word for razor is "ta'ar," and it appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often symbolizing purification, consecration, or judgment.Nazirite Vow: One of the most notable references to a razor in the Bible is in connection with the Nazirite vow. According to Numbers 6:5, those who took the Nazirite vow were to abstain from cutting their hair for the duration of their vow: "For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. He must be holy until the time of his consecration to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long." This abstention from shaving was a sign of dedication and separation unto God. The most famous Nazirite, Samson, was bound by this vow, and his uncut hair was the source of his strength (Judges 16:17). Symbol of Judgment: The razor is also used metaphorically in the Bible to symbolize judgment and humiliation. In Isaiah 7:20, the prophet speaks of God using the king of Assyria as a razor to bring judgment upon Israel: "On that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair of your legs, and to remove your beard as well." This imagery conveys the idea of complete devastation and disgrace. Purification and Cleansing: In the context of purification, the razor was used in certain cleansing rituals. For instance, in Leviticus 14:8-9, a person healed of a skin disease was required to shave off all their hair as part of the purification process: "The one being cleansed must wash his clothes, shave off all his hair, and bathe with water; then he will be clean. Afterward, he may enter the camp, but he must remain outside his tent for seven days. On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair—his head, his beard, his eyebrows, and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean." Cultural Practices: In ancient Near Eastern culture, shaving was often associated with mourning or shame. For example, in 2 Samuel 10:4, Hanun, the king of the Ammonites, humiliated David's servants by shaving off half of their beards: "So Hanun seized David’s servants, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the hips, and sent them away." This act was intended to disgrace the men, as a full beard was a sign of dignity and honor. Priestly Regulations: The priests of Israel were given specific instructions regarding their grooming, which included the use of a razor. In Ezekiel 44:20, it is stated: "They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but must carefully trim the hair of their heads." This regulation ensured that the priests maintained a neat and presentable appearance while serving in the temple. In summary, the razor in biblical times was more than a mere grooming tool; it was imbued with religious, cultural, and symbolic significance. Whether representing consecration, judgment, or purification, the razor played a role in the spiritual and communal life of the Israelites. Smith's Bible Dictionary RazorBesides other usages, the practice of shaving the head after the completion of a vow must have created among the Jews a necessity for the special trade of a barber. (Leviticus 14:8; Numbers 6:9,18; 8:7; Judges 13:5; Isaiah 7:20; Ezekiel 5:1; Acts 18:18) The instruments of his work were probably, as in modern times, the razor, the basin, the mirror, and perhaps also the scissors. See (2 Samuel 14:26) Like the Levites, the Egyptian priests were accustomed to shave their whole bodies. Easton's Bible Dictionary The Nazarites were forbidden to make use of the razor (Numbers 6:5; Judges 13:5). At their consecration the Levites were shaved all over with a razor (Numbers 8:7; Comp. Psalm 52:2; Ezek. 5:1). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A keen-edged knife of peculiar shape, used in shaving the hair from the face or the head.2. (n.) A tusk of a wild boar. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAZORra'-zer (ta`ar, "knife" (Numbers 6:5 Psalm 52:2 Isaiah 7:20 Ezekiel 5:1), morah, "razor" (Judges 13:5; Judges 16:17 1 Samuel 1:11)). Greek 3587. xurao -- to shave ... shave. From a derivative of the same as xulon (meaning a razor); to shave or "shear" the hair -- shave. see GREEK xulon. (exuremene) -- 1 Occurrence. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3587.htm - 6k 3587b. xureo -- to shave Strong's Hebrew 8593. taar -- a razor, sheath... 8592, 8593. taar. 8594 . a razor, sheath. Transliteration: taar Phonetic Spelling: (tah'-ar) Short Definition: sheath. ... penknife, razor, scabbard, shave, sheath ... /hebrew/8593.htm - 6k 4177. mowrah -- a razor 4177a. morah -- a razor Library Words with a Freshly Honed Razor-Edge. Psalm LII. The Mercy of God The Controlling Purpose. Samson Conquered Scriptural Uses of the General Words for Prayer On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. viii. 8, "I am not Worthy that ... Sleep Not Quiet Talks on Prayer Kept from Iniquity Thesaurus Razor (8 Occurrences)... The Nazarites were forbidden to make use of the razor (Numbers 6:5; Judges 13:5). At their consecration the Levites were shaved all over with a razor (Numbers 8 ... /r/razor.htm - 10k Shave (19 Occurrences) Barber Shaving (2 Occurrences) Knife (10 Occurrences) Keen (3 Occurrences) Strap (4 Occurrences) Beard (23 Occurrences) Nazarite (8 Occurrences) Nazirite (10 Occurrences) Resources What is Occam's Razor? Does Occam's Razor disprove the existence of God? | GotQuestions.orgWho was William of Ockham? | GotQuestions.org What was the source of Samson's strength? | GotQuestions.org Razor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Razor (8 Occurrences)Numbers 6:5 Numbers 8:7 Judges 13:5 Judges 16:17 1 Samuel 1:11 Psalms 52:2 Isaiah 7:20 Ezekiel 5:1 Subtopics Razor: Nazarite Forbidden to Use Related Terms |