Deuteronomy 21:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Thus, shaving the hair signifies the removal of old thoughts, a command given to ancient Israel by God, who through the wise Moses declared, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" (Ex. 20:3). Furthermore, "Thou shalt not make for thyself a graven image, or any likeness" (Ex. 20:4). The detestable practices that the Lord detested were those they performed for their idols. In their time in Egypt, they had misguided beliefs and embraced the notion of many gods, venerating creations instead of the Creator, and ascribing divine honor to wood and stone. Yet when they were summoned through Moses to recognize the true and singular God, it is reasonable to expect that their thoughts would undergo transformation, yielding entirely new understandings. The divinely inspired Paul exhorts us in a similar manner: "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2). This speaks to the call to shave the head, while the trimming of the nails signifies a rejection of impurity and moral decay. Those who allow their nails to grow excessively cannot maintain cleanliness. It is evident that Israel, who was granted intimate fellowship with God, was commanded to avoid impurity, as no one can contest the clear directives of the law: "Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness" (Exodus 20:13-16), among others.

When we discover insights within them, we incorporate those ideas into our understanding, yet we disregard anything extraneous—whether it be concerning idols, love, or worldly matters—shedding them as if we were using a sharp tool to unsightly our own nails. This is why the Apostle instructs against reclining in the temple, stating: “But if anyone sees you, who has knowledge, reclining in the temple, will not his conscience, which is weak, be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died” (1 Corinthians 8:10-11). Do you not discern that he is cautioning us in other words, so that we do not find solace in the writings of philosophers, rhetoricians, or poets? Furthermore, if we dismiss what is written, the consciences of others are still affected by our reading; to them, it appears that we, without denouncing the content, are in agreement with it. If we reject such a reading, how shall we view the Apostle as endorsing the mindset of one who participates in idol worship? Let not the expressions “Mighty Jupiter, O my Hercules, O Castor,” and the names of other beings that surpass mere mortals be uttered by the lips of Christians. It is evident now that even the priests of God, neglecting the gospel and prophetic teachings, indulge in comedies, recite the amorous lines of pastoral poetry, and engage with Virgil: what should merely entertain children becomes a source of sinful delight for them. Thus, we must remain vigilant against reclining in a temple if we seek a captive bride; or if our affections are already deeply entangled with her, we must cleanse her from all sinful misconceptions, lest our brother, for whom Christ died, be led astray by the sounds of verses praising idols coming from the mouth of a Christian.