Hairs on Temples & Trimmed Beard

So, how do I approach this subject—this law—since the Scriptures don’t discuss it extensively?

What else is there to explore? Should I now grow long hair on my temples to resemble Orthodox Jews? Should I let my beard grow very long to match them? If this is what Elohim commands, then it must be done. My opinions, and those of others, matter little—especially those in modern Christianity, which struggles to understand its own invented theology.

I decided to investigate the definition of “trimmed” and related terms. I began by searching for the meaning of each word in Hebrew, using AI to interpret each word separately and accurately.

What brought me here?

Questions.

Ever since I started reading the Scriptures and gaining a profound understanding of the writings, I’ve always had questions. In my view, questions about a particular subject or topic demonstrate genuine interest, and genuine interests, leads to genuine growth.

Many modern-day Christians argue that seeking help from AI on Scriptures is dangerous—a reflection of contemporary religion and its somewhat legitimate concerns. My response: It’s no different from searching in the YouVersion app, for those who truly understand AI. The only difference is that in YouVersion, you type your query; with AI, you can type or speak, and it provides answers from multiple databases—faster, but essentially the same. However, my focus wasn’t on Scriptures per se, but on the meanings of specific words used therein.

Next, consider the verse in question:

Leviticus 19:27 says, “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.”

If I were to never cut the hair on my temples to avoid violating Elohim’s law, then why is it acceptable to shave my head when fulfilling an oath? Wouldn’t that violate Leviticus 19:27? Should I also let my beard grow long without grooming? Clearly, since the Scriptures and Elohim’s laws are perfect, the error lies with me. Should I ignore it simply because I don’t understand, like modern-day religion? Absolutely not! I’ll continue searching.

Now, let’s examine it from another translation, using “The Scriptures 2009”:

“‘Do not round the corner of your head, nor destroy the corner of your beard.’” (Wayyiqra [Leviticus] 19:27, TS2009)

Upon closer inspection, it’s not about the hair itself, but the edges of the head and beard. I’m gaining a deeper understanding of this command. It feels exciting, and I’m grateful that the Lord has allowed this insight to dwell in my mind. Merely dismissing it as unimportant wasn’t enough. I realize that to eliminate a lingering thought—which can turn into anxiety—one must uproot it with truth. This is the formula I used to overcome past anxieties: seeking understanding rather than memorizing verses.

Here are the AI results on the word “edges” in Leviticus 19:27:

In Hebrew, the word translated as “edges” of the beard is pe’ah (פֵּאָה), meaning “corner” or “side.” It refers to the sideburns or the area where the beard meets the hairline near the temples. The verse says not to “mar” or “destroy” (shachat, שָׁחַת) these edges, implying not to shave them off completely. In the Greek Septuagint, the phrase for “edges of your beard” uses krotaphos (κροτάφους) for the sideburns or temple area, paired with peritemnein (περιτεμεῖν), meaning “to cut around” or “trim.” So, it’s about not rounding off or shaving the hair at the temples or beard edges.

It means not to shave with a razor near the skin, as this “destroys” the edges; trimming with scissors is permitted in rabbinic interpretations. In Leviticus 19:27, “mar” translates Hebrew “shachath,” (שָׁחַת) meaning to destroy, spoil, or damage—specifically, not shaving off the beard’s edges completely.

I proceeded to verify this in the strongs, it was surprisingly accurate.

This makes perfect sense! It addresses the corners of one’s hairline. Thus, if fulfilling an oath requires shaving the entire head, it wouldn’t violate Leviticus 19:27, as there would be no visible hairline to destroy—none at all. I’ve grown wiser and aligned myself more closely with the Scriptures. I now avoid destroying the edges of my beard or hairline near the temples. Elohim hates false humility, but he loves genuinely interest concerning his ten categories (commandments).

Shalom!