Beard (2)

Beard The practice of the clergy in ancient-times in respect to wearing beards was in conformity with the general custom. Long hair and baldness by shaving leing alike in ill-repute as unseemly peculiarities, the clergy were required to observe a becoming moderation between either extreme. The fourth Council of Carthage ordered that the clergy should "neither cultivate the hair, nor shave the beard." The contrary practice, however, having obtained in the later Roman Church, it has been contended that the word "shave" was an interpolation in the canon. But this has been disproved on the testimony of the Vatican and many other manuscripts; and long after it was the custom of the French bishops to wear short hair and long beards. SEE SHAVING.

⇒Bible concordance for BEARD.

⇒Definition of beard

⇒See also the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.