SPECIAL TOPIC: HAIR (human) IMAGERY IN THE BIBLE

In the Bible hair was used as a way of expressing one's relationship to God.

Length of hair was a sign of dedication.
1. shaving the head as an act of purification
  1. cleansed of leprosy ‒ Lev. 13:33; 14:8-9
  2. of captive woman for wife ‒ Deut. 21:10-12
2. special Nazirite vow for men or women ‒ Num. 6:5,9,18
  1. Samson ‒ Jdg. 16:13-22
  2. Absalom ‒ 2 Sam. 14:26; 18:9
Negative imagery
1. act of humiliation and disrespect ‒ 1 Chr. 19:4
2. YHWH's judgment ‒ Isa. 7:20; Jer. 7:29
Cutting one's hair denoted pagan practicing
1. Lev. 19:27
2. Lev. 21:5; Deut. 14:1; Ezek. 44:20; Micah 1:16 ‒ baldness
3. Isa. 15:2; Jer. 16:6; 25:23
Biblical imagery
1. sign of beauty ‒ Song of Songs 5:11; 6:5; 1 Cor. 11:15
2. image used of supreme devotion ‒ Luke 7:38; John 12:3
3. image of respected age
  1. of Deity and a sign of age, wisdom, and holiness ‒ Dan. 7:9; Rev. 1:`14
  2. of old age as a sign of wisdom ‒ Prov. 16:31; 20:29
4. Image of mourning
  1. cutting ‒ Job 1:20; Isa. 22:12; Jer. 41:5; Micah 1:16
  2. pulling ‒ Jer. 47:5; 48:37; Micah 1:16
  3. dusting ‒ see SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES