Throughout history, hair has held cultural and symbolic significance. The Bible touches upon various aspects of hair, including the act of women cutting their hair. Join us as we explore biblical passages that shed light on this practice, its significance in ancient times, and the underlying principles that can be gleaned from these accounts.
Bible Verses About Women Cutting Their Hair
1 Corinthians 11:15
“But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.”
In this verse, Paul emphasizes the significance of long hair as a natural covering for women. It signifies their God-given glory and role. While the focus is on the beauty of long hair, it doesn’t imply that cutting hair is prohibited. Rather, it highlights the cultural and symbolic importance of hair in Paul’s time.
Numbers 6:5
“All the days of the vow of his separation, no razor shall come upon his head. Until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the Lord, he shall be holy. Then he shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow.”
Although this verse doesn’t directly refer to women, it discusses the Nazirite vow, which applies to both men and women. During this period of consecration, the individual is instructed not to cut their hair as a sign of dedication to the Lord.
Judges 16:17
“He told her all his heart, and said to her, ‘A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaven, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.'”
In the story of Samson and Delilah, Samson reveals that his long hair is a symbol of his Nazirite vow. Cutting his hair would lead to the loss of his God-given strength. This passage illustrates the connection between hair and symbols of power or divine dedication.
Leviticus 21:5
“They shall not make any bald place on their heads, nor shall they shave the edges of their beards, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.”
This verse is directed specifically at the priests of Israel, instructing them not to shave their heads or make any cuttings in their flesh. The emphasis here is on preserving their appearance and not engaging in practices associated with pagan rituals.
1 Corinthians 11:6
“For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered.”
In this passage, Paul discusses the issue of head coverings for women in the context of worship. He suggests that if a woman doesn’t want to wear a head covering, it would be better for her to have her hair cut short. However, he also acknowledges that it is considered shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved, highlighting the cultural significance of hair length in that context.
Ezekiel 44:20
“They shall neither shave their heads nor let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well-trimmed.”
This verse addresses the priests of the future temple, specifying that they should neither shave their heads nor allow their hair to grow excessively long. The emphasis is on maintaining a well-groomed appearance while serving in their priestly role.
Song of Solomon 7:5
“Your head crowns you like Mount Carmel, and the hair of your head is like purple; a king is held captive in the tresses.”
This poetic verse from the Song of Solomon uses imagery to describe the beauty and allure of a woman’s hair. It symbolizes her attractiveness and captivates the attention of others.
Acts 18:18
“So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.”
In this verse, Paul’s haircut in Cenchrea is mentioned as part of a vow he had made. Although it doesn’t directly relate to women cutting their hair, it demonstrates the practice of hair-related vows and their significance in biblical times.
Isaiah 3:24
“And so it shall be: Instead of a sweet smell, there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-set hair, baldness; instead of a rich robe, a girding of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty.”
Isaiah uses vivid imagery to describe the judgment that would befall the daughters of Zion. The mention of baldness implies the loss of their beauty and luxurious, well-kept hair. It underscores the dire consequences they would face.
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2 Samuel 14:26
“And when he cut the hair of his head—at the end of every year he cut it because it was heavy on him—when he cut it, he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred shekels according to the king’s standard.”
This verse describes the extravagant long hair of Absalom, son of King David. Absalom’s hair became a famous characteristic of his appearance, as it was so abundant and heavy that he cut it once a year. This passage highlights the attention given to hair and its significance in biblical narratives.
1 Peter 3:3
“Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel.”
In this verse, Peter encourages women to focus on inner beauty rather than merely external adornments. While it doesn’t specifically address cutting hair, it suggests that true beauty comes from within, transcending physical appearances.
Song of Solomon 4:1
“Behold, you are fair, my love! Behold, you are fair! You have dove’s eyes behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats, going down from Mount Gilead.”
This poetic verse in the Song of Solomon uses imagery to describe the beauty of a woman. Her hair is likened to a flock of goats descending from Mount Gilead, symbolizing its flowing and captivating nature.
1 Corinthians 11:5
“But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.”
Paul addresses the practice of head coverings in the context of worship and prayer. He suggests that for a woman to pray or prophesy with an uncovered head would be dishonoring, likening it to having her head shaved. This emphasizes the cultural and symbolic significance attached to hair in that context.
Jeremiah 7:29
“Cut off your hair and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on the desolate heights; for the Lord has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath.”
In this verse, the people of Judah are urged to cut off their hair as a symbol of mourning and lamentation. The act of cutting off hair is an outward expression of grief and repentance in response to God’s judgment on the nation.
Ezekiel 16:7
“I made you thrive like a plant in the field; and you grew, matured, and became very beautiful. Your breasts were formed, your hair grew, but you were naked and bare.”
God, speaking metaphorically to Jerusalem, describes how He brought beauty and abundance to the city. The mention of hair growing indicates the growth and flourishing of the city, highlighting its previous state of desolation.
1 Samuel 1:11
“Then she made a vow and said, ‘O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.'”
Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, made a vow to God, promising that if He granted her a child, she would dedicate him to the Lord as a Nazirite. As part of this dedication, no razor would touch his hair.
Deuteronomy 21:12
“Then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.”
This verse addresses the treatment of captive women during war. Upon being taken as a wife, the woman was to shave her head and trim her nails, symbolizing a change in her status and identity.
Judges 5:2
“When leaders lead in Israel, when the people willingly offer themselves, bless the Lord!”
In this verse, the song of Deborah and Barak celebrates the leadership of Israel and the willingness of the people to follow. Though it doesn’t specifically relate to women cutting their hair, it serves as a reminder of the importance of leadership and unity among God’s people.
Leviticus 10:6
“Then Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, ‘Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people.'”
This verse instructs Aaron and his sons, the priests, not to uncover their heads or tear their clothes during a time of mourning. It emphasizes their role as mediators between God and the people, requiring them to maintain a dignified appearance in their priestly service.
Ezekiel 5:1
“And you, son of man, take a sharp sword, take it as a barber’s razor, and pass it over your head and your beard; then take scales to weigh and divide the hair.”
In this verse, Ezekiel is commanded to take a sharp sword and use it as a barber’s razor to shave his head and beard. The act symbolizes the impending judgment and devastation that would come upon Jerusalem.
Numbers 5:18
“Then the priest shall stand the woman before the Lord, uncover the woman’s head, and put the offering for remembering in her hands, which is the grain offering of jealousy. And the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that brings a curse.”
This verse refers to the process of dealing with suspicion of infidelity in a woman through the ritual of bitter water. Part of the ritual involved the priest uncovering the woman’s head, which likely had symbolic significance related to her marital status and integrity.
Isaiah 50:6
“I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting.”
This verse, prophesying about the suffering of the Messiah, mentions the mistreatment He would endure. While it doesn’t explicitly mention women cutting their hair, it refers to the mistreatment of the Messiah, including the plucking of His beard, which underscores the significance of hair as a symbol in biblical narratives.
Judges 13:5
“For behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. And no razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb.”
This verse reveals the angel’s message to Samson’s mother, indicating that her son was to be a Nazirite from birth. As part of this consecration, his hair was not to be cut, signifying his special dedication to God and the source of his supernatural strength.
Isaiah 3:17
“Therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will uncover their secret parts.”
In this verse, Isaiah speaks of the judgment that would come upon the daughters of Zion. The mention of striking the crown of their heads suggests the loss of their beauty and dignity as a result of God’s judgment.
1 Corinthians 11:14
“Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him?”
In this verse, Paul addresses the Corinthians, highlighting the cultural norms and expectations surrounding hair length. He asserts that for men to have long hair goes against the natural order of things and is considered dishonorable. This context offers insight into the cultural perspectives on hair length in biblical times.
Jeremiah 48:37
“For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped; on all the hands shall be cuts, and on the loins sackcloth.”
This verse describes the mourning and lamentation that would come upon the nation of Moab. The mention of baldness and clipped beards symbolizes grief and devastation, emphasizing the severe judgment that would befall them.
Acts 21:24
“Take them and be purified with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads, and that all may know that those things of which they were informed concerning you are nothing, but that you yourself also walk orderly and keep the law.”
This verse refers to Paul’s involvement in a purification ritual along with four men who had taken a vow. As part of this ritual, they were to shave their heads, demonstrating their adherence to the law and dispelling any rumors or accusations against Paul.
Ezekiel 44:20
“They shall not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they shall keep their hair well-trimmed.”
This verse addresses the conduct of the Levitical priests in the future temple. They are instructed not to shave their heads completely nor allow their hair to grow excessively long. Instead, they are to maintain well-trimmed hair, emphasizing the importance of their appearance and dedication to their priestly duties.