Shaving

From BibleEncyclopedia.Net

shāv´ing (in Job_1:20, גּזז, gāzaz, usually גּלח, gālaḥ; in Act_21:24, ξυράω, xuráō):

Customs as to shaving differ in different countries, and in ancient and modern times. Among the Egyptians it was customary to shave the whole body (compare Gen_41:14). With the Israelites, shaving the head was a sign of mourning (Deu_21:12; Job_1:20); ordinarily the hair was allowed to grow long, and was only cut at intervals (compare Absalom, 2Sa_14:26). Nazirites were forbidden to use a razor, but when their vow was expired, or if they were defiled, they were to shave the whole head (Num_6:5, Num_6:9, Num_6:18 ff; compare Act_21:24). The shaving of the beard was not permitted to the Israelites; they were prohibited from shaving off even “the corner of their beard” (Lev_21:5). It was an unpardonable insult when Hanun, king of the Ammonites, cut off the half of the beards of the Israelites whom David had sent to him (2Sa_10:4; 1Ch_19:4).

Shaving “with a razor that is hired” is Isaiah's graphic figure to denote the complete devastation of Judah by the Assyrian army (Isa_7:20).