Learning how Israelite men and women wore their hair during the Old Testament period is not easy; due to prohibitions on idolatry, Jewish artists were loath to draw or sculpt human figures, so we do not have the same kind of archaeological evidence for Israel as for other ancient cultures such as Egypt. On the other hand, the Old Testament provides some clues, both in descriptions of various historical figures, and in Israel’s laws.
Grey Hair and Baldness in the Bible
Grey hair is often referred to in the Bible as synonymous with old age and wisdom, and therefore deserving of respect (Proverbs 16:31 and 20:29). Baldness, on the other hand, is referred to as a curse (Isaiah 3:24 and Jeremiah 47:5). Nehemiah 13:25 and Isaiah 50:6 refer to plucking out a person’s hair as a punishment or mark of scorn. On the other hand, God severely punished a number of youths who mocked the prophet Elisha’s baldness (2 Kings 2:23-24).
Trimming the Corners of the Beards
Leviticus 19:27 admonishes Israelites not to “cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard” (NIV). Other translations variously render this as “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard” (ESV), “Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard” (KJV), or even “ye shall not shave the corners of your head round, neither shalt thou mutilate the corners of thy beard”. Scholars conjecture that a pagan people group – possibly the Egyptians or Arabs – would cut their hair in this fashion, so Israelites were to distinguish themselves by wearing a different hair style. Another theory is that trimming the edges of the beard was a sign of mourning.
Today, Orthodox Jews observe this commandment by wearing peyot – sidelocks – which can be very long and are often curly.
Hair in Song of Solomon
Many body parts that we would consider relatively non-erotic are mentioned in the Bible’s most famous love poem – teeth and temples, for instance. Hair is also mentioned in an erotic context: the lover describes his beloved’s hair as “like a flock of goats descending from Gilead”. (Goats at that time were generally dark-haired, not white.) The beloved likewise praises her lover’s hair, “wavy, black as a raven” (Song of Songs 5:11).
Absalom’s Hair
One Biblical figure was famous for his luxuriant, fast-growing hair. Unfortunately, Absalom was also famous for his pride; he grew his hair long in order to cut it and weigh the length periodically. During a battle (recorded in 2 Samuel 18), Absalom rode under an oak tree and got caught by his head in the branches, while his mule escaped. While he was hanging there, a man informed the leader of the opposing army, who slew him on the spot. The text does not actually say that Absalom’s hair got caught in the branches, but most commentators see it as likely; if this is the case, the symbolism is rather neat as Absalom’s pride and vanity becomes his downfall.
Samson’s Hair
In keeping with Nazirite laws laid out in Numbers 6, the Biblical hero Samson grew his hair (and presumably his beard and moustache) long, with no trimming or cutting. As a result, God granted him great strength. As it had not been cut from birth, Samson’s hair formed seven impressive dreadlocks. Bribed by the Philistines, Samson’s lover Delilah teased Samson to reveal the source of his strength; after much prevarication, Samson admitted that his strength was tied to his hair.
While he slept Delilah shaved his head, and Samson did indeed become weak enough to be overpowered and captured. God granted Samson a final grace, however; during his imprisonment and slavery Samson’s hair began to grow again, and in a final act Samson collapsed a pagan temple full of his enemies, dying along with them.
Nazirite Laws
While Samson was a Nazirite from birth, most Nazirites took the vow for only a certain predefined period of time. At the conclusion of this vow Nazirites were to shave their heads. So at any time in Israel, men would have been wearing hair styles of various lengths, from shaven to very long.
Hair and the Priesthood
Old Testament priests wore turbans while performing their duties. According to Levitical law, part of these duties included the inspection of hair – Israelites suffering from a number of skin conditions (often collectively translated as “leprosy”) would present their afflicted skin to the priest. The presence, absence and/or colour of hair on the skin would alert the priest to the nature of the infection. Once pronounced “clean” (ie healed), lepers were to shave their hair and could then rejoin the community of Israel.
See also: Hair and Hair Styles in the New Testament.
Sarah Tennant - Sarah Tennant is a onetime English major who lives in New Zealand with her husband and two small children. Her interests range from ...
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