Hair might seem like a simple thing, but in some places and times, it has held deep cultural and spiritual significance. But what about the Bible—does it have anything to say about cutting your hair? Whether it’s traditions, vows, or personal expression, we’ll take a look at what scripture has to say about hair and how it might apply today.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About opposite gender friendships
What Does The Bible Say About cutting hair
1 Corinthians 11:6
“For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.”
This verse speaks to the cultural and symbolic significance of hair length and coverings in the context of worship. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining gender norms and modesty within the community of believers.
Leviticus 19:27
“Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.”
In this verse, God’s command to the Israelites prohibits the cutting of hair at certain areas of the head and the trimming of the beard. This command served as a way for God to set His people apart and maintain their distinct identity.
Numbers 6:5
“Throughout the period of their dedication to the Lord, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body.”
This verse describes the special vow of the Nazirite, who was required to abstain from cutting their hair during the time of their dedication to God. This act of consecration demonstrated their separation from worldly concerns and complete devotion to the Lord.
1 Samuel 1:11
“And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.””
Here, Hannah makes a promise to God, vowing that if He grants her a son, she will dedicate him to His service as a Nazirite and never cut his hair. This demonstrates her heartfelt desire for a child and her willingness to offer him back to God.
Acts 18:18
“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.”
In this verse, Paul fulfills a vow he made by cutting his hair. This act shows his commitment to honoring his promise and his dedication to God, even through physical actions.
Acts 21:24
“Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.”
As Paul accompanied other Jewish believers, they participated in purification rites and had their heads shaved. This observance aimed to refute accusations against Paul while also demonstrating his adherence to Jewish customs and laws.
Judges 16:19
“After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him.”
In this story, Delilah cuts off Samson’s hair, which had been a symbol of his God-given strength. This act led to his subsequent capture and subjugation by his enemies, highlighting the consequences of disobedience and the importance of heeding God’s commands.
Isaiah 7:20
“In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your heads and private parts, and to cut off your beards also.”
This verse portrays the impending judgment and punishment of Israel by the Assyrians. Shaving their heads, beards, and private parts is a symbol of shame, degradation, and complete humiliation as a consequence of their rebellion against God.
Ezekiel 44:20
“They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.”
In this verse, God provides specific instructions for the priests regarding their appearance. They were to maintain a certain hairstyle as a sign of their consecration and commitment to their priestly duties.
1 Corinthians 11:15
“But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.”
This verse highlights the significance of a woman’s long hair as a symbol of her glory and beauty. It signifies her submissiveness to God’s order and serves as a natural covering.
Isaiah 50:6
“I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.”
Here, the prophecy of Isaiah describes the suffering and humiliation that Jesus, the Suffering Servant, would endure. The mention of having His beard pulled out portrays the extreme physical and emotional abuse He would endure out of love and obedience to God’s plan of salvation.
2 Samuel 10:4
“So Hanun seized David’s men, shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away.”
In this historical account, Hanun, the king of Ammon, humiliates David’s messengers by shaving half of their beards. This act demonstrates his disrespect and contempt for David and his kingdom.
Job 1:20
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.”
After receiving news of his great losses, Job responds by shaving his head as a sign of mourning and sorrow. Despite his deep anguish, Job still falls to the ground in worship, demonstrating his unwavering faith in God even in the midst of intense suffering.
Leviticus 13:40
““A man who has lost his hair and is bald is clean.””
In the context of skin diseases, this verse states that a bald-headed man is considered clean when evaluating ritual impurity. It implies that hair loss or baldness does not indicate any uncleanness or defilement in this particular case.
Amos 8:10
“I will turn your religious festivals into mourning and all your singing into weeping. I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and the end of it like a bitter day.”
This verse illustrates the impending judgment from God upon the Israelites. As a sign of mourning and repentance, shaving their heads is mentioned among various practices to convey the seriousness and solemnity of the situation.
Ezra 9:3
“When I heard this, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled hair from my head and beard and sat down appalled.”
Upon learning about the intermarriage of the Israelites with the surrounding nations, Ezra expresses deep distress, tearing his clothes and pulling out hair from his head and beard as visible signs of his grief and strong reaction to the news.
Jeremiah 41:5
“eighty men who had shaved off their beards, torn their clothes and cut themselves came from Shechem, Shiloh, and Samaria, bringing grain offerings and incense with them to the house of the LORD.”
In this verse, men from various regions visit the house of the Lord, having shaved off their beards, torn their clothes, and made lacerations on their bodies as acts of mourning and contrition. Their offerings and incense further express their desire for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Isaiah 22:12
“The Lord, the LORD Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.”
God called the people of Jerusalem to repentance and mourning for their impending judgment. Hair removal, along with the wearing of sackcloth, was a prominent outward display of their sorrow and sincere repentance.
Jeremiah 48:37
“Every head is shaved and every beard cut off; every hand is slashed and every waist is covered with sackcloth.”
In this prophecy concerning Moab’s destruction, shaving heads and cutting beards symbolize the complete humiliation and devastation the nation will experience. It signifies their loss of dignity and tragic state of affairs.
Jeremiah 47:5
“Baldness has come upon Gaza; Ashkelon has been silenced. Remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourselves?”
Here, the prophet Jeremiah mourns the destruction and devastation of Gaza and Ashkelon. The mention of baldness is indicative of their suffering, while the question regarding gashing themselves suggests futile acts of self-harm in response to their anguish.
Isaiah 3:17
“Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald.”
This verse describes a punishment the Lord will bring upon the women of Zion for their pride and arrogance. The reference to making their scalps bald signifies the shame and disgrace they will experience.
Zechariah 13:4
“On that day every prophet will be ashamed of their prophetic vision. They will not put on a prophet’s garment of hair in order to deceive.”
In this verse, false prophets are depicted as being ashamed of their deceptive practices. The mention of not wearing a garment of hair suggests that they will no longer attempt to pretend to be genuine prophets, thereby exposing their false teachings.