5155 hair

Various conditions, both physical and spiritual, are indicated in Scripture by human hair. Animal hair is used for a variety of purposes.

Physical qualities of human hair

A woman’s hair is attractive SS 7:5 See also 2Ki 9:30; SS 4:1; 1Co 11:15

A man’s hair shows vigour Jdg 16:17-22 See also 2Sa 14:26; SS 5:11

Grey hair shows the glory of old age Pr 16:31 See also Lev 19:32 “aged” may be translated “grey-haired”; Pr 20:29

Greying hair as a sign of declining strength Hos 7:9

White hair as a sign of age and wisdom Rev 1:14 See also Da 7:9

Hair as indicating physical or spiritual conditions

Unharmed hair speaks of protection Mt 10:30 pp Lk 12:7 See also 1Sa 14:45; 2Sa 14:11; Da 3:27; Lk 21:18; Ac 27:34

Hair standing on end indicates fear Job 4:15

Baldness may indicate God’s judgment Isa 3:24 See also Isa 3:17

Hair colour may indicate skin disease Lev 13:3 See also Lev 13:10-11,26,30-37,40-45

Rituals and customs involving the hair

Rules concerning hair for those under a vow Nu 6:5 See also Nu 6:9,18-19; Jdg 13:5; Jdg 16:17; 1Sa 1:11; Ac 18:18; Ac 21:23-24

Rules concerning hair for those being cleansed Lev 14:8-9

Mourning customs affecting hair Mic 1:16 See also Lev 10:6; Dt 21:12-13; Job 1:20; Jer 16:6; Jer 47:5; Jer 48:37; Am 8:10

Grief signified by tearing or cutting one’s hair Ezr 9:3 See also Isa 22:12; Jer 7:29

Humiliating others by shaving or pulling out the hair 2Sa 10:4 pp 1Ch 19:4 See also Ne 13:25; Isa 7:20

Pagan customs to be avoided Lev 19:27 See also Dt 14:1-2

Customs concerning hair and public worship 1Co 11:6,13-15; 1Ti 2:9; 1Pe 3:3

Animal hair

Animal hair used in tabernacle furnishings Ex 26:7 See also Ex 25:4; Ex 35:26; Ex 36:14

A prophet’s clothing made from animal hair 2Ki 1:8 See also Zec 13:4; Mt 3:4 pp Mk 1:6

Animal hair as a disguise Ge 27:16 See also 1Sa 19:13,16

Hair used to wipe Jesus Christ’s feet

Jn 12:3 See also Lk 7:38,44; Jn 11:2

Nazirite vows forbade the cutting of hair

The reason for taking a Nazirite vow, separation to the Lord Nu 6:1-2 While attention is often focused on Nazirite prohibitions, it is important to note that the primary reason was for separating oneself to God. Both men and women could make the vow; Nu 6:8

The requirements of the Nazirite vow Nu 6:2-4 Nazirites must abstain from all produce of the vine; Nu 6:5 Nazirites must not cut their hair; Nu 6:6-7 Nazirites must not touch a dead body.

The rules for re-establishing a broken Nazirite vow Nu 6:9-12

The regulations for completing the Nazirite vow Nu 6:13-17 The Nazirite vow is completed, first, through prescribed sacrifices; Nu 6:18 The Nazirite vow is completed, second, through cutting off one’s hair and burning it on the altar; Nu 6:19-20 The Nazirite vow is completed, third, through ritual acts performed by the priest.

Examples of people dedicated to being lifelong Nazirites Samson was a lifelong Nazirite: Jdg 13:2-7; Jdg 16:1-22
1Sa 1:10-11 Samuel was a lifelong Nazirite; Lk 1:13-15 John the Baptist was possibly a Nazirite.

Examples of temporary Nazirite vows Ac 18:18; Ac 21:20-26

Nazirites to be seen as gifts from God to his people Am 2:11-12

Expressions involving hair

Jdg 20:16; Rev 6:12

See also