Everyone hopes to one day enter heaven. Many people, however, are skeptical about the requirements for admission to heaven. They are unsure whether their physical appearance will secure them a spot. Since Leviticus forbade being short, many people wonder, is being short a sin?
Being short is not a sin, as the Bible suggests. Many Christians believe that sin is defined as breaking God’s laws. Short people have not disobeyed God in any way. This is because God is the only creator who took the time to create them, and they had no control over their height. Furthermore, the Bible says in Genesis 1:26 that we were created in God’s image, so essentially looking like God is not sinful.
If you desire to learn more about what the Bible says about short people, if God hates short people, and if short people are going to hell, keep reading this article.
What does the Bible say about being short?
The Bible has a lot to say about height. It mentions the height of the Nephilim during Noah’s time, a people who appeared gigantic and were not of average height. The book of Leviticus also mentions short people or dwarfs. According to Leviticus 21:20, who is a dwarf or a hunchback, or who has any eye defect, or who has to fester or run sores, or who has damaged testicles.
This verse outlined the requirements for becoming a priest in ancient Israel. This was before Christ’s arrival, and God required someone without blemishes or flaws to represent the perfect person of Jesus Christ. Thus, scripture implies that to be a priest, you had to look a certain way physically and that you had to be pure and free of physical disabilities because you were the intermediary between God and the people. These rules did not apply to the rest of Israel or even people today; they were only for those called to the priesthood during the Old Testament era.
As a result, the Bible speaks of short people in that context, but it does not state that being short is a sin. Luke 19:2-3 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. The New Testament also mentions Zacchaeus, the tax collector, as a short man, but it is silent regarding the importance of height to the Christian life.
Were dwarfs allowed to serve in leadership positions in God’s temple?
Leviticus 21:21-23 No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the food offerings to the Lord. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the holiest food of his God, as well as the holy food, yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the Lord, who makes them holy.’”
According to the Bible, dwarfs were not permitted to serve as priests. Only perfect humans and perfect animals were allowed to be close to the temple curtain due to the strict rules of the priesthood. This was so because God’s perfection and holiness were symbolized by perfection.
Can short people serve God in positions of power today?
Many believe it is acceptable for short people to hold positions of authority. Their height influences no one’s capacity to lead others. Even though they are small in stature, many presidents, CEOs, and bishops are leading people. Only priests in the Old Testament were subject to the height and leadership restrictions that the Bible suggests in Leviticus 21:20. They did not apply to the general public. The rules were developed in a very different environment, and one cannot use height to disparage people with exceptional leadership qualities.
Is being short used as a symbol in the Bible?
It is speculated that in some cases, such as the story of Zacchaeus, the Bible may have used Zacchaeus’s short stature to illustrate a point. Romans 3:22-24 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus.
The story of Zacchaeus shows us how we have fallen short of God’s glory and are attempting to reach Jesus in our strength, but Jesus sees our efforts and comes to us to redeem us. Being short represents how far we are from God as a result of our transgressions that, like Zacchaeus, we try to climb a tree to see Jesus gain salvation, but Jesus already knows our sinful ways and, through His grace, has justified us when we accept Him.
Does God hate short people?
1 John 4:7-8 says Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God because God is love.
This verse depicts God as the embodiment of love. As a result, God cannot hate. The Bible suggests that God hates and detests our sinful ways, which are acts of disobedience, but he cannot hate because he is love. As a result, the Bible implies that God loves short people. God created short people in His image, Genesis 1:26, so he cannot hate that which resembles Him.
Did Jesus welcome short people?
According to the Bible, Jesus welcomed all kinds of people. He hosted thieves, prostitutes, liars, sinners, and even short people. An account of a wealthy man who served as a tax collector is found in Luke 19:1–10. Because of their brutality and cunning nature, tax collectors were despised in those days. The poor were taken advantage of by tax collectors who took more money from them than was legal.
Because of the crowds, Zacchaeus, a short tax collector, climbs a sycamore tree to see Jesus as He enters Jericho. However, Jesus recognizes him and offers to have dinner with him at his home. This suggests that even short people were welcomed and accepted by Jesus.
Does Leviticus say being short is God’s punishment for sin?
The Bible in Leviticus only showed the rules that governed the appointment of priests during that period. The general public was not subject to these rules. In addition, there is no mention of being short being a punishment from God for sin.
Are short people going to hell?
The Bible describes the conditions for going to hell, and being short or short in stature is not one of them. Those who will perish in hell are implied to be sinners who disobeyed God and refused to accept Jesus as their savior. This is according to John 3:18, which says Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
Is being short a punishment from God?
In no way does the Bible imply that being short is a punishment. The Bible demonstrates that God is not concerned with our outward appearance. He only cares about the state and condition of our hearts toward Him.
1 Samuel 16: 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. ‘”
This verse implies that God is not preoccupied with our appearance. Given that He created them and no one had the authority to command Him to do otherwise, God does not punish people for how they appear.
Bible verses about being short
Shortness is mentioned twice in the Bible. One is found in the Old Testament, and the other in the New Testament. The relevant Bible verses are provided below.
Leviticus 21:20 or who is a hunchback or a dwarf, or who has any eye defect, or who has to fester or run sores or damaged testicles. This is one of the verses that categorizes dwarfism as a defect. People with this defect were not allowed to be Levite priests.
Luke 19:3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short, he could not see over the crowd. This is the story of Lazarus, a tax collector who was short and he had to climb a tree to see Jesus in the midst of the large crowd that flowed Him.
REFERENCES
Do short people go to heaven and get the facts?
What is Sin? Its Origin & Meaning in the Bible
Should Christians care about physical appearance?
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
