Question:
I would like to know what is the big debate over preachers having beards? I have asked several seasoned and God loving pastors and they said it was an issue to them even when they went to school. I have looked over the bible from front to back and cannot find nothing biblical wrong with it. I believe that men should keep a neat and clean appearance. This is an issue that man has made a big deal over. Please give me bible reference.
Answer:
You are correct in that the Bible never speaks against a man having a beard.
David had a beard. I Samuel 21:12,13 says, “And DAVID laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon HIS BEARD.”
Ezra had a beard. Ezra 9:3 says, “And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of MY BEARD, and sat down astonied.”
Aaron had a beard. Psalm 133:2 says, “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.”
Ezekiel had a beard. Ezekiel 5:1 says, ” And thou, son of man, take thee a sharp knife, take thee a barber’s razor, and cause it to pass upon thine head and upon THY BEARD: then take thee balances to weigh, and divide the hair.”
Jesus had a beard. Isaiah 50:6 prophecies of Him, “I gave my back to the smiters, and MY CHEEKS to them that PLUCKED OFF THE HAIR: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.”
It is a shame for a man to have long hair. I Corinthians 11:14,15 says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” But that is a reference to hair on top of the head that hangs down like a veil — not hair on the face, like a beard or moustache. The Bible never considers having a beard as having long hair. Please see our Bible Course on the Christian’s Appearance on our Web Site for further information on long hair on men.