09/05/2026
It's World Beard Day! And what better way to celebrate than taking a look at what Sacred Scripture has to say about facial hair?
In the Bible, beards are a sign of dignity and maturity. In fact, Jewish priests were instructed to let their facial hair grow.
"They shall not shave their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor lacerate their bodies." -- Leviticus 21:5
And the Psalms reference beards in connection with the priesthood and blessing.
"Like precious ointment on the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, upon the collar of his robes." -- Psalm 133:2
Shaving one's beard could be an expression of shame or lamentation. After the fall of Jerusalem to Babylon, Jeremiah noted the following:
"Everyone has shaved his beard, torn his garments, and gashed himself..." -- Jeremiah 41:5
The Bible doesn't explicitly say that Jesus had a beard, but it was the norm among Jewish men in the 1st century. Nonetheless, the New Testament shifts the focus away from external appearance to what's on the inside.
"Your adornment should not be an external one...but rather the hidden character of the heart." -- 1 Peter 3:3-4
So should Catholic men have beards today? It's increasingly more common. But while it can be a symbol of wisdom and maturity, one's character and virtue are truly what count.
Now that you're an expert on the Bible and beards, make sure to let Fr. Bernard know what you've learned!
