Is shaving your beard a sin in Christianity?

Author: Isabelle Bernhard PhD  |  Last update: Monday, December 8, 2025

It is this type of false worship the Bible forbids. Shaving one's beard and cutting one's hair for normal good grooming is something entirely different and not at all condemned in the Scriptures. In fact, the apostle Paul takes great pains to address proper grooming of one's hair in I Corinthians 11:2-15.

What does the Bible say about shaving a beard?

Leviticus 19:27 New King James Version (NKJV)

You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard.

Can you cut your beard in Christianity?

Leviticus 19:27 in Other Translations

27 "Don't cut the hair on the sides of your head or trim your beard. 27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 27 "Never shave the hair on your foreheads, and never cut the edges of your beard.

Is shaving a beard sinful?

Therefore, anyone who shaves or shortens his beard without an excuse will not be sinful, but will have committed something disliked because of his contravention of the prophetic command that has been established in rigorously authenticated hadiths, and his contravention of the established practice of the Prophet [ ...

Is it a sin to remove facial hair?

No. The only laws against hair cutting in the Bible were for certain groups of people. It would actually be a sin to not get your haircut if you are a New Testament believer. 1 Corinthians 11:14 says it is a shame for a man to have long hair. The beard there really is no stipulations on as far as I know.

What Does the BIBLE Say about SHAVING Your Beard? (Answered!)

Is it a major Sin to shave your beard?

Shaving the beard is muthla (mutilation). Verily the Prophet ﷺ has prohibited muthla. The great Imam of Madinah, Imam Mâlik is reported to have said: The sin of shaving the beard is not only a kabîra (major sin), but it is also bagi (open offence).

Are tattoos a sin?

Christianity. Some Christians take issue with tattooing, upholding the Hebrew prohibition. The Hebrew prohibition is based on interpreting Leviticus 19:28—"Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you"—so as to prohibit tattoos. Interpretations of the passage vary, however.

Does Christianity allow beards?

In the Orthodox Christian tradition, beards are often seen as a symbol of masculinity and a reflection of the biblical commandment not to "mar the corners of thy beard" (Leviticus 19:27). Many Orthodox clergy members proudly wear long, flowing beards as a visible sign of their commitment to their faith.

What does the Bible say about shaving your head?

In 1 Corinthians 11:3-15, Paul writes that if a woman is to be so immodest as to wear her hair uncovered while praying or prophesying in a Christian assembly she might as well shave her head. Paul instructs the Corinthians that it is “one and the same” for a woman to have her head shaved and for her to unveil her hair.

What does God think about beards?

First, in Israelite culture, the beard served as a sign of mature masculinity. All Israelite men grew beards; God commanded it: “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard” (Leviticus 19:27).

Is it a sin to smoke?

The Roman Catholic Church does not condemn smoking per se, but considers excessive smoking to be sinful, as described in the Catechism (CCC 2290): The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.

What does the Bible say about gym?

Because God wants us to take care of our bodies the Bible affirms, “Physical training is good…” (1 Timothy 4:8). It's good because being healthy and fit will help us better fulfil our God-given purpose in a variety of ways.

Is it a sin for a man to shave his body?

To summarize, Leviticus 19:27 is not a general commandment against shaving. The context suggests that these are specific pagan mourning practices of mutilation that God is prohibiting.

What religions Cannot shave beard?

Judaism prohibits shaving with a razor on the basis of a rabbinic interpretation of Leviticus 19:27, which states, "Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard." The Mishnah interprets this as a prohibition on using a razor on the beard.

Should Christians cut their beard?

The Old Testament Agrees With the New

In Leviticus chapters 19 and 21, God commands the both the Israelites and their priests not to “mar the corners of thy beards”. Why would God command this? Men having a beard was so important to God in Moses' day that they weren't even to partially shave.

Can Christians eat pork?

Although Christianity is an Abrahamic religion, most of its adherents do not follow these aspects of Mosaic law and do consume its meat. However, Seventh-day Adventists consider pork unclean according to biblical law, along with other foods forbidden by Jewish law.

Is showing hair a sin in Christianity?

Denominations that teach that women should wear head coverings at all times additionally base this doctrine on Saint Paul's dictum that Christians are to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17), Saint Paul's teaching that women being unveiled is dishonourable, and as a reflection of the created order.

What does God say about baldness?

21:5 5They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. (Leviticus 21:5); Deut. 14:1 1Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.

Did Jesus have a beard?

Historical appearance

Scholars have also suggested that it is likely Jesus had short hair and a beard, in accordance with Jewish practices of the time and the appearance of philosophers. The earliest depictions of Jesus from the Roman catacombs depict him as free of facial hair.

Does the Bible say you can't shave your beard?

Notice a more modern rendering of these verses in the New King James: "You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard" (Leviticus 19:27); and, "They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards nor make any cuttings in ...

Can Christians have tattoos?

If your motives are to glorify His work in your life (Romans 14:23), the tattoo can be an excellent conversation starter. Just as we are commanded to do all things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), we can view the act of tattooing in the same manner.

What does the Bible say about men's hair?

Paul writes plainly, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” (1 Corinthians 11:14). All major Bible translations agree on the intent of this verse. God intended (and commanded) men to keep their hair much shorter than women.

Is piercing a sin?

What Does the Bible Say about Piercings? - Piercings are somewhat debated as to the biblical interpretation of their sinfulness. Though the Bible does not specifically mention piercings as being a sin or unholy, it does condemn the practice of body mutilation such as cuts or tattoos.

Is it a sin to cuss?

1 Peter 3:10 tells us that "whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech." God commands us to keep our tongue from all obscene words, filthy and corrupt communication, lying, swearing, cursing, and any evil speech.

Is it a sin to be cremated?

What does the Bible say about cremation? According to most Biblical study websites, there is no explicit scriptural command for or against cremation. There are no passages that forbid cremation, according to most Biblical scholars. However, some passages describe standard death practices during these times.

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