A Man’s Beard, what does the scripture say?

A Man’s Beard, what do the scriptures say ?

Robert Aaron Bills

Should a man in the covenant community (the Israel of Elohim Galatians 6:16) have a beard?

The first mention of beard we find in Leviticus 13:29 in regards to a man having a plague upon the beard. Plague is the Hebrew word neh-gah and can be stroke, disease, mark, spot, or sore. King Daweed (David) had a beard (1Samuel 21:13). Ezra had a beard (Ezra 9:3). Aaron the high priest had a beard (Psalm 133:2). Ezekiel had a beard (Ezekiel 5:1). In a messianic prophesy that we see documented in Isaiah 50:6, the Messiah Yahushua had his beard plucked (the hair of the cheeks / jaw).  

There are instructions given about things a man is not to do to his beard.

In Leviticus 19:27 you are not to round the corners (strike off the edges literally), or mar the corners (destroy, cast off / make bald spots).

What is the common thread here?

Men had beards and there is Torah instructions on things not to do to a beard, the only times they were shaved was after a nazarite vow, or after being cleansed of a leprous disease.

There is an instance where Yoseph (Joseph) “shaved” himself before going in the presence of the pharaoh (Genesis 41:14). Although there is nothing specific mentioned that was shaved.  

I read an article written by a Torah observant believer that really solidified the beard concept for me. In his article he wrote that the creator Yahu-eh created a man to be able to grow a beard on their face and he also mentioned the scripture passages with beard instructions, he went on to write that growing a beard is another way of honoring Father Yahueh in heaven who created men with that ability.

So I have a beard, and strongly believe men should have one in the assembly of Yahueh.