Topical Bible: The Eye: The Jews: Not to Make Baldness Between

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of ancient Israelite customs and laws, the prohibition against making baldness between the eyes is a specific command found in the Mosaic Law. This directive is part of a broader set of instructions given to the Israelites to distinguish them from surrounding nations and to maintain their holiness as God's chosen people.

Biblical Reference

The primary scriptural reference for this command is found in Deuteronomy 14:1, which states: "You are the children of the LORD your God; do not cut yourselves or shave your foreheads on behalf of the dead." . This verse is part of a larger section of Deuteronomy that outlines various laws and statutes intended to guide the Israelites in their daily lives and religious practices.

Cultural and Religious Context

The prohibition against making baldness between the eyes is understood within the context of mourning practices common among pagan nations surrounding Israel. These nations often engaged in self-mutilation and specific hair-cutting rituals as expressions of grief or as acts of devotion to their gods. By forbidding such practices, the Israelites were to demonstrate their distinct identity and allegiance to Yahweh, the one true God.

Symbolism and Significance

The act of shaving the forehead or making baldness between the eyes was likely symbolic of deeper spiritual truths. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the face, and particularly the eyes, were seen as windows to the soul and a reflection of one's inner state. By maintaining the natural state of their appearance, the Israelites were to reflect their trust in God's sovereignty over life and death, rather than resorting to pagan rituals that implied a lack of faith.

Holiness and Separation

The command not to make baldness between the eyes is part of the broader theme of holiness and separation that permeates the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 19:28 also echoes this sentiment: "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." . These laws served to set the Israelites apart as a holy nation, dedicated to living according to God's standards and not conforming to the practices of other cultures.

Application for the Israelites

For the Israelites, adherence to this command was a tangible expression of their covenant relationship with God. It was a reminder of their identity as His children and their calling to live in a manner that honored Him. By abstaining from pagan mourning customs, they demonstrated their hope in the promises of God and their belief in His ultimate authority over life and death.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the prohibition against making baldness between the eyes underscores the importance of internal devotion over external rituals. It highlights the call for God's people to be set apart in their conduct and to trust in His provision and care, even in times of loss and mourning. This command, like many others in the Mosaic Law, points to the deeper spiritual reality of living a life consecrated to God, marked by faith and obedience.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 14:1
You are the children of the LORD your God: you shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Doom of the Antichrist
... God now calls on the Jews who are found dwelling within that ... say, Let her be defiled,
and let our eye look upon ... and the residue of the people shall not be cut ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

Introduction.
... it was intensely distasteful to the carnal Jews of that day ... but to possess in some
measure that eye for parallels ... use of our Lord's parables does not depend on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/introduction.htm

Aron, Brother of Moses, 486, 487.
... wantonness of eyes condemned, [360]190; eye of the ... Jews, caused the Lord's crucifixion,
[605]264; judicially ... in this world, [895]207; does not make men happy ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/aron brother of moses 486.htm

Psalm XLIV.
... not wanting enemies of Christ (those very Jews themselves), against ... man, he does
not see the eye-salve in ... rejoice in prosperities, redeem Thou us, not for our ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliv.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... and despotic lord, were so great that eye-witnesses declare no ... but the ship of his
heart was not broken by ... decree against the misbelief of the Jews, which they ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Internal Evidence Demonstrated to be the Very Reverse of ...
... have now been so often reproduced, that the eye grows weary at ... ceremonial practices
of "the Pharisees and all the Jews?" Yet more,"Is not the selfsame ...
/.../chapter ix internal evidence demonstrated.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... his eyes being anointed with spiritual eye salve, to ... in the destruction and restoration
of the Jews' Jerusalem, by ... will multiply them, and they shall not be few ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... Assyrian kings had never ceased to keep an eye upon their ... signal for a welcome change
in the fortunes of the Jews. ... 1), though, it is true, he does not add the ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

Internal Evidence Demonstrated to be the Very Reverse of ...
... statements have now been so often reproduced, that the eye grows weary ... ceremonial
practices of "the Pharisees and all the Jews?" Yet more,"Is not the self ...
/.../chapter ix internal evidence demonstrated.htm