Razor

The Nazarites were forbidden to make use of the razor (Num. 6:5; Judg. 13:5). At their consecration the Levites were shaved all over with a razor (Num. 8:7; comp. Ps. 52:2; Ezek. 5:1).

Besides other usages, the practice of shaving the head after the completion of a vow must have created among the Jews a necessity for the special trade of a barber. (Leviticus 14:8; Numbers 6:9,18; 8:7; Judges 13:5; Isaiah 7:20; Ezekiel 5:1; Acts 18:18) The instruments of his work were probably, as in modern times, the razor, the basin, the mirror, and perhaps also the scissors. See (2 Samuel 14:26) Like the Levites, the Egyptian priests were accustomed to shave their whole bodies.

RA'ZOR. The usage of shaving the head after completing a vow must have established the barber's trade quite early among the Hebrews. The instruments used were exactly the same as in our days - the razor, the scissors, the basin, and the mirror. Razors are mentioned in Num 6:5; Jud 13:5; 1 Kgs 16:17; 1 Sam 1:11; Eze 5:1, and figuratively in Ps 52:2; Isa 7:20. See Hair.

RA'ZOR. The usage of shaving the head after completing a vow must have established the barber's trade quite early among the Hebrews. The instruments used were exactly the same as in our days - the razor, the scissors, the basin, and the mirror. Razors are mentioned in Num 6:5; Jud 13:5; 1 Kgs 16:17; 1 Sam 1:11; Eze 5:1, and figuratively in Ps 52:2; Isa 7:20. See Hair.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A keen-edged knife of peculiar shape, used in shaving the hair from the face or the head. "Take thee a barber's rasor." Ezek. v. 1.

2. A task of a wild boar. Razor fish. (Zoöl.) (a) A small Mediterranean fish (Coryphæna novacula), prized for the table. (b) The razor shell. -- Razor grass (Bot.), a West Indian plant (Scleria scindens), the triangular stem and the leaves of which are edged with minute sharp teeth. -- Razor grinder (Zoöl.), the European goat-sucker. -- Razor shell (Zoöl.), any marine bivalve shell belonging to Solen and allied genera, especially Solen, or Ensatella, ensis, and Americana, which have a long, narrow, somewhat curved shell, resembling a razor handle in shape. Called also rasor clam, razor fish, knife handle. -- Razor stone. Same as Novaculite. -- Razor strap, or razor strop, a strap or strop used in sharpening razors.