Was the standard for priests to have short hair and trimmed beards?
Question:
I was wondering about Ezekiel 44:20, "They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well-trimmed." I was wondering: Was this a standard for the priests before this time or was this instituted later? I can't seem to find it for the priests beforehand. But thought it was an interesting verse concerning short hair.
Answer:
See: Should a Christian shave his head for a dead relative?
God forbade the priests from making a show of their grief because they represented God before the people (Leviticus 10:6; 21:1-15; Ezekiel 24:16-17). To show grief would be a form of rebellion against what God decided about the life of another.
