King James Bible Dictionary

The mode of wearing it was definitely prescribed to the Jews (Leviticus 19:27; 21:5). Hence the import of Ezekiel's (5:1-4) description of the "razor" i.e., the agents of an angry providence being used against the guilty nation of the Jews. It was a part of a Jew's daily toilet to anoint his beard with oil and perfume (Psalms 133:2). Beards were trimmed with the most fastidious care (2 Samuel 19:24), and their neglet was an indication of deep sorrow (Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 41:5). The custom was to shave or pluck off the hair as a sign of mourning (Isaiah 50:6; Jeremiah 48:37; Ezra 9:3). The beards of David's ambassadors were cut off by hanun (2 Samuel 10:4) as a mark of indignity.

On the other hand, the Egyptians carefully shaved the hair off their faces, and they compelled their slaves to do so also (Genesis 41:14).

Worn long by:

Aaron
Psalms 133:2

Samson
Judges 16:17

David
1 Samuel 21:13; Ezekiel 5:1

Shaven by Egyptians
Genesis 41:14

Untrimmed in mourning
2 Samuel 19:24

Plucked
Ezra 9:3

Cut
Isaiah 7:20; Isaiah 15:2; Jeremiah 41:5; Jeremiah 48:37

Lepers required to shave
Leviticus 13:29-33; Leviticus 14:9

Idolatrous practice of marring, forbidden
Leviticus 19:27; Leviticus 21:5

Beards of David's ambassadors half shaven by the king of the Amorites
2 Samuel 10:4

Western Asiatics have always cherished the beard as the badge of the dignity of manhood, and attached to it the importance of a feature. The Egyptians, on the contrary for the most part shaved the hair of the face and head, though we find some instances to the contrary. The beard is the object of an oath, and that on which blessing or shame is spoken of as resting. The custom was and is to shave or pluck it and the hair out in mourning, (Ezra 9:3; Isaiah 15:2; 50:6; Jeremiah 41:5; 48:37) Bar. 6.31; to neglect it in seasons of permanent affliction, (2 Samuel 19:24) and to regard any insult to it as the last outrage which enmity can inflict. (2 Samuel 10:4) The beard was the object of salutation. (2 Samuel 20:9) The dressing, trimming, anointing, etc., of the beard was performed with much ceremony by persons of wealth and rank (Psalms 133:2) The removal of the beard was a part of the ceremonial treatment proper to a leper. (Leviticus 14:9)

BEARD, noun berd. [Latin barba.]

1. The hair that grows on the chin, lips and adjacent parts of the face, chiefly of male adults; hence a mark of virility. A gray beard long beard and reverend beard are terms for old age.

2. beard is sometimes used for the face, and to do a thing to a man's beard is to do it in defiance, or to his face.

3. The awn or sharp prickles on the ears of corn. But more technically, parallel hairs or a tuft of stiff hairs terminating the leaves of plants, a species of pubescence. By some authors the name is given to the lower lip of a ringent corol.

4. A barb or sharp point of an arrow, or other instrument, bent backward from the end to prevent its being easily drawn out.

5. The beard or chuck of a horse, is that part which bears the curb of a bridle, underneath the lower mandible and above the chin.

6. The rays of a comet, emitted towards that part of the heaven to which its proper motion seems to direct it.

7. The threads or hairs of an oyster, muscle or similar shell-fish, by which they fasten themselves to stones.

8. In insects, two small, oblong, fleshy bodies, placed just above the trunk, as in gnats, moths and butterflies.

BEARD, verb transitive berd. To take by the beard; to seize, pluck, or pull the beard in contempt or anger.

1. To oppose to the face; to set at defiance.

I have been bearded by boys.

BEARD'ED, adjective berd'ed. Having a beard, as a man. Having parallel hairs or tufts of hair, as the leaves of plants.

1. Barbed or jagged, as an arrow.

BEARD'ED, participle passive berd'ed. Taken by the beard; opposed to the face.

BEARD'-GRASS, noun A plant, the Andropogon.

BEARD'ING, participle present tense berd'ing. Taking by the beard; opposing to the face.

BEARD'LESS, adjective berd'less. Without a beard; young; not having arrived to manhood. In botany, not having a tuft of hairs.

BEARD'LESSNESS, noun The state or quality of being destitute of beard.