Ezekiel 44:20

Analysis & Commentary

Neither shall they shave their heads, nor suffer their locks to grow long; they shall only poll their heads—this regulation prohibited both extremes of hair length. Shaving the head (galach, גָּלַח) was associated with pagan mourning rites and foreign religious practices (Leviticus 21:5, Deuteronomy 14:1). Allowing hair to grow long (shalach, שַׁלַּח, "send forth" or "let loose") characterized Nazirite vows (Numbers 6:5) or wild disorder.

They shall only poll their heads (kasem yikasemu, כָּסֹם יִכְסְמוּ)—the verb means "trim" or "cut short," requiring neat, moderate appearance. This middle way avoided both pagan customs and the appearance of Nazirite separation (which was temporary and individual, not for perpetual priestly service). The principle: God's ministers should be distinct from worldly culture yet orderly and dignified, not slovenly or ostentatious (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 3:2, Titus 2:7-8).

Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hair practices carried religious significance. Egyptian priests shaved their heads completely; Canaanite mourners cut their hair in ritual grief; Nazarites grew hair long during vows. Israelite priests were called to distinctiveness without adopting pagan practices or creating confusion with temporary vow-takers. This tension between separation from worldly culture and clarity about priestly identity shaped many Old Testament regulations. For Christians, the principle applies spiritually: we are "in the world but not of it" (John 17:14-18), called to holiness without pharisaical externalism (1 Peter 1:14-16, Romans 12:2).

Questions for Reflection

• How does the command to avoid both extremes (shaved or long hair) illustrate the principle of distinctiveness without ostentation in Christian living?
• What contemporary appearance or behavior choices might confuse our witness by either conforming to worldly culture or creating unnecessary offense?