* and shaved.
The beard is held in high respect and greatly valued in the
East: the possessor considers it as his greatest ornament;
often swears by it; and, in matters of great importance,
pledges it; and nothing can be more secure than such a pledge;
for its owner will redeem it at the hazard of his life. The
beard was never cut off but in mourning, or as a sign of
slavery. It is customary to shave the Ottoman princes, as a
mark of their subjection to the reigning emperor. The beard
is a mark of authority and liberty among the Mohammedans. The
Persians who clip the beard, and shave above the jaw, are
reputed heretics. They who serve in the {seraglios} have
their beards shaven, as a sign of servitude; nor do they
suffer them to grow till the sultan has set them at liberty.
Among the Arabians, it is more infamous for anyone to appear
with his beard cut off, than among us to be publicly whipped
or branded; and many would prefer death to such a punishment.
Le 19:27 1Ch 19:3,4 Ps 109:4,5 Isa 15:2
* cut off.
Isa 20:4 47:2,3 Jer 41:5
|