Yet more than anything, Aarons life provides a vision of what ministry before the Lord is to look like. I've tried searching in the Bible but > to no avail. Whether or not to grow a beard is a personal decision for each man. Largely they are filled with the names of people we never read about. The spices were mixed together in olive oil. It is in that line that he also requires that they do not shave their beards. Any suggestions? It is like perfumed oil poured on the priest's head and running down his beard. Most men can grow some sort of facial hair, but the thickness and fullness of beards vary from person to person. Many scholars point out that the early church understood Jesus to be a new Moses. This goes back to the passage in Deuteronomy declaring that God would raise us a prophet like Moses to redeem the people (18:18). The people of Israel would bring their prayer items to the priests and the priest would present them before the Lord at the altar. Why? That went down to the skirts of his garments. It is attributed to King David, and he speaks of how good and pleasant it is to live in unity. John stands in the line of the Levitical priesthood. In order that we may the better behold brotherly unity David gives us a resemblance, so that as in a glass we may perceive its blessedness. It is like expensive oil poured over the head, running down onto the beard Aarons beard! which extended over the collar of his robes. In the following sections, we shall look at the symbolism of the beard in the biblical context. At the beginning of the Exodus journey, Aaron is a support for Moses (see Exodus 17). Learning Lessons From Scandals Close to Home, New and Notable Christian Books for February 2023, Jinger Vuolos Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear, 8 Sins You Commit Whenever You Look at Porn. This may be because beards were not considered fashionable during that period. It ran down Aarons beard and on to the collar of his robes. Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty, and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and of olive oil a hin. Whether or not to grow a beard is a personal decision for each Muslim man. Does it Matter That I Didn't Keep My Goals for Lent? Aaron is a prime example of this. ; Opuntia leucotricha (Arborescent prickly pear, Aaron's beard cactus), a species of prickly pear cactus, endemic to Mexico. Jesus often articulates the themes and events of the Exodus, applying them to his messianic mission. We often focus on Moses when we read the story of the Exodus. Psl. 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. It is like the precious ointment upon the head. Is It Ok for Christians to Follow Zodiac Signs? Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! Hi! 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. Remember, David said it is good and pleasant! Is the One You Now Serve Able to Deliver You? Some people believe that beards were seen as a symbol of holiness in biblical times, and that shaving them was considered sinful. 133:1-2. Whether or not to grow a beard is a personal decision for each Christian man. That being, life forever more. --Alfred Edersheim, Verse 2. As a faithful, law-abiding Jewish man, Jesus would have had a beard except in unusual circumstances. Jesus would have carefully taken care of his beard by putting oil on it, and he would have refrained from clipping the corners. It is goodobjectively rightwhen there is unity between brothers, between those who are children of a common Father. which shows Jesus with a beard. From this point on, Aaron adopts a ministry that is uniquely his own. He slides into the background. English Standard Version We need to be grateful to God that we can enjoy such a blessing! However, because he was anointed, Aaron had the joy of worship, and approached God on behalf of His people! It is like having perfumed oil poured on the priests head and running down his beard. Psalm 133:1-3 New Century Version (NCV) 1 It is good and pleasant. Verse 2 mentions how it is like oil that ran down Aarons beard. A beard with uncut corners signified to everyone that Jesus was Jewish. 2 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; 3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for . All rights reserved. Anointing is used elsewhere in the Bible to set people apart for service. 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. Aaron died there, at 123 years old, and the people mourned him for 30 days. The body of Jesus Christ is made up of all types of people. Addressing Moses, the Lord says to him that he should speak to the people of Israel telling them that they be holy because he is holy. . Thank you! As the psalm comes to an end, another analogy is shared. In the Book of Isaiah 50:6, this is what the Bible says. Joseph also had a crumb-catcher until the Pharaoh turned him into a sassy Egyptian. These verses have found their way into modern praise songs and traditional hymnody. Verse 2 mentions how it is like oil that ran down Aaron's beard. Your Bible question was: During King Davids reign, he sent several men to console a young king, Hanun who had just lost his father. It ran down Aaron's beard and on to the . Inasmuch as was beard was a sign of honor, priesthood, and anointing, it had to be taken care of by trimming. In fact, the Hasidic sect of Judaism is known for its bearded men. This is because they were often associated with prophets and other religious figures. There is no evidence that any of the early Christian men had beards. As they journey through the desert, Israel grumbles about many things, the lack of food, the scarcity of water, the presence of enemies. The profound thing about this blessing is that it is still used today. 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. 6 Things to Know about Aaron in the Bible. Beards have been associated with Christianity since the time of the early church fathers. It is like the sweet-smelling oil that is poured over the high priests head, that runs down his beard flowing over his robes. Even today these words convey Gods blessing upon the beloved community of faith. View all posts by James Hutton. Thank you so much for this insight shared!! King David had a beard, which represented his wisdom and power, although its hard to know if his beard was long like the one Moses or Aaron had. Aaron, on the other hand, is glaringly absent from this list. They are these --, Verse 2-3. He calls us to live in harmony and unity. Want the Verse of the Day sent to your inbox? Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It is a powerful invocation of Gods activity for our lives. He shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water and be clean. . He has mixed different spices together and called it the body of Jesus Christ the church Christians! Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? What Happens If A Catholic Marries A Divorced Person? When these spices were mixed with oil, the oil became holy oil. However, there were a few exceptions. What is the meaning of Psalm 133:2 when it says, . the precious oil . My name is James Hutton, and Im simply a Christian. Learn how your comment data is processed. Since many diseases are infectious, some laws were designed by God to stop sickness and disease. Any suggestions? This oil was both liquid and fragrantit would flow and it would smell, and it seems that both properties included an element of symbolism. At his birth, Zechariah declares that John will be the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him (Luke 1:76). 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. The desire of God is that his people will follow the ways of righteousness and be saved from their afflictions. Thank you. It will be on the seventh day that he shall shave off all his hair: he shall shave his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Is this fair? 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. fishing with canned anchovies; pros and cons of living in mackay; is alaska: the last frontier coming . Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! It has always been the desire of God that his people live in unity and harmony with each other. California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Jeremiah writes about shaven beards as a sign of mourning in, Isaiah proclaimed Judahs enemies would have their beards would be cut off as a sign of Gods judgment in, When Ezra heard about the spiritual unfaithfulness in Israel he pulled hair from his beard to show his shock and horror (. This is recognizable by references to Aarons beard and the hills of Zion. Aaron reminds us that even those who have important roles in Gods unfolding plan of salvation need to adopt an attitude of humility, as we strive to remain true to the Lords calling. His beard represents his strength and power. . Even today, these passages influence Orthodox Jewish men in how they wear their hair and trim their beards. And it is more than objectively good, it is also experientially pleasant, pleasing to the hearts of both God and man. The Lord says to Moses your brother Aaron will be your prophetyour brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country (Exodus 7:1-2). ************************************. and running down his beard. (NASB) Ps. I have now blogged for 7,061 consecutive days. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. Furthermore, he usurps the divine name and declares to the people Here are your gods who lead you out of Egypt (32:4). We get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. Each item testifies to an important blessing within Israels Exodus journey. Jesus on Adultery: Its More Controversial Than You Think. God did not ask for three measurements of myrrh, but required four different spices. David recognized this truth when he selected the profuse anointing of Aaron with the oil of consecration at his installation into the office of High Priest as a fit emblem of brotherly love. The second Scripture is found in Psalm 133: "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! There are a lot of reasons for a beard turning grey. Jesus was faithful to follow the Law given to Moses. Aaron was set apart (sanctified) and anointed as high priest. Jewish Men Took Care of Their Beards Except in Unusual Circumstances. Some have fallen into sin to the point of routinely committing evil. It is like the precious shemen upon the rosh, that ran down upon the beard, even Aharons beard; that went down to the collar of his robes; It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 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. New International Version (NIV). Though Jesus is portrayed with a beard doesnt mean he had one. We read the words, for there Yahweh gives the blessing right after David speaks of the hills of Zion. It was not the oil that was holy but the mixture. 1 How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! The answer is found in Exodus 30:22-33. Therefore, it is in the context of holiness that the Israelites were supposed to grow their hairs both on the sides of their heads and their beards. It is like perfumed oil poured on the priests head and running down his beard. 5 Things You Should Know about the ESV Bible Translation. Those who receive a divine commission from the Lord do not leave their flawed humanity behind. Perhaps the largest testimony to his insecurity is in the case of the golden calf (Exodus 32). The Ammonites humiliated Davids envoys by having half their beards shaven and cutting off their garments above their buttocks. The significance of this is easily missed today. It is like fragrant ointment poured on the head, running down upon the beard, running down upon the beard of Aaron, and flowing on the collar of his robes. All Rights Reserved, Names Of The Twelve Disciples {Explained!}. One metaphor that has always intrigued me is at the center of one of the shortest psalmsPsalm 133. "The Lord Bless you and keep you;The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace.". It was an outward sign of his obedience to Gods Law. Another ancient picture of Jesus, as a beardless young man, was found in the Roman Catacombs. Aaron was far from perfect. Did young men in the Bible let their beards grow? If you would like to write a letter to the editor, you can do so here. To understand this verse of scripture, we must look at the beginning of Chapter 19. Other artists painted Jesus with a beard because there are many references to beards in Scripture. Noah/Russel Crowe had a beard. It ran down Aarons beard and on to the collar of his robes. This was such a significant insult that the men were instructed to stay at Jericho until their beards grew. Today we dont have to worship God at a specific location, but the blessing still comes from a particular place. You may already have an idea of what Jesus looked like based on a movie, picture, or crucifix. After the Temple was built in Jerusalem, worship of God was done at a specific location. The ointment was "holy", prepared in accordance with the Divine prescription: The anointing was from God through Moses, who acted on behalf of God in the matter. It is like fine oil poured on the head, which flows down the beard Aarons beard, and then flows down his garments. Bible Answer: Psalm 133:2 illustrates the proceeding verse, Ps. Its like the special olive oil that was poured on Aarons head. 133:1-2. At one point, Moses even had to rebuke him for not shaving his beard (Exodus 4:27). Cymbalaria muralis (Ivy-leaved toadflax, Kenilworth ivy), native to south and southwest Europe; Hypericum calycinum (Great St. John's-wort, Jerusalem star), widely cultivated. Remarkably, this final verse also reminds us of Israels special place with God. Song of Solomon 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee. 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, As ointment in the head; that goeth down into the beard, into the beard of Aaron. 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. He is a poet who knows he can emphasize the facts with an illustration, and, as is so common in the Bible, does so through a metaphor. He has good reason to be grateful for it! Copyright 2023, Bible Study Tools. By 400 C.E., most artists were depicting Jesus with a beard. I'd say it was pretty long, right?! He helped to establish the priesthood and was also responsible for making the Golden Calf. At first glance, it is possible to just think of this oil in relation to abundance. God poured out his Spirit on the great and final High Priest, Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church. Others suffer from difficulties that make them feel isolated or rejected. There are several stories in Scripture that illustrate how removing a beard or part of the beard was considered shameful. Finally, its possible that beards had religious significance in biblical times. John the Baptist was a prophet who lived in the 1st century BC. 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. Bible Answers The response was one of joy, reverence, and worship. The oil was poured on Aarons head and flowed downward, from the top of the head, to the beard, to the collar, and beyond. Isaiah talks about how he was willing to accept abuse without hiding his face. This verse describes Johns prophetic role. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. 80s wresters were the best wrestlers of all time. It is like the precious oil upon the head, That ran down upon the beard, Even Aarons beard; That came down upon the skirt of his garments; It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body]. Like before, this may also cause us to think of abundance, especially if we remember that dew can cover large areas of land. In the same way that oil spread from Aarons head to his beard to his clothing, unity was to flow from God to the priest to the people. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down upon the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down over the collar of his robes. And while they may not be as popular today, theres no doubt that they still have a place in our history and culture. 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