A flat nose, probably a severely depressed or malformed nose, was listed among bodily blemishes disqualifying a descendant of Aaron from serving at the altar.
Definition
A flat nose was a bodily deformity listed among conditions that disqualified a descendant of Aaron from serving at the altar. The expression may refer to a depressed or flattened nose, and the Revised Version margin gives “slit nose” as an alternative.
Biblical Usage
Leviticus 21:18 includes the condition among bodily blemishes that prevented a priestly family member from offering the bread of God at the altar. The passage treats it as a deformity affecting suitability for public priestly service.
Historical Background
The root of the term means to cut off or cut flat. The supplied material considers a severely depressed nose, especially one associated with double harelip, more likely than an ordinary snub nose, since the latter would scarcely explain exclusion from altar service.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(charum; Septuagint koloborin):</p><p>Used only in Le 21:18 as the name of a deformity which disqualified a member of a priestly family for serving the altar.</p><p>The root of the word signifies "to cut off" or "to cut flat," and in the Revised Version, margin "slit nose" is substituted. The condition indicated is most probably the depressed, flattened nose which so often accompanies harelip, especially in its double form.</p><p>A mere snub-nose can scarcely be regarded as a blemish of sufficient importance to unfit a priest for the service of "offering the bread of God"; but harelip, like blindness or the other congenital malformations or deformities enumerated in this passage, might well render a son of Aaron unfit or unsuitable for public religious duty.</p><p>Alexander Macalister</p>
