Deuteronomy 14:1

Children of the Lord. This truth God had earlier made known to Pharaoh (Exodus 4:22, 23). This is an intimately close relationship that brings with it weighty responsibilities (see Isaiah 1:2; 63:8, 16; 64:8; Jeremiah 3:14, 19, 22; 4:22; Hosea 11:1-4; Malachi 2:10).

Cut yourselves. Compare the custom of the worshipers of Baal (1 Kings 18:28). This custom is attested also in the north Canaanite texts from Ras Shamra, the ancient Ugarit, where even the highest god, ’El, gashed himself as a sign of grief and sorrow. See also Jeremiah 16:6 on gashing one’s body in grief for the dead, and Jeremiah 41:45; 47:5 for the same demonstration at a time of a public calamity. In some parts of the world today people cut and gash themselves in grief on various occasions.

Baldness. Compare Leviticus 21:5 for similar language concerning shaving the head in token of mourning (see Jeremiah 16:6; Ezekiel 7:18; Micah 1:16). The custom of shaving, cutting, or tearing the hair in mourning has come down even to modern times in some parts of the world.