Hair and Hair Styles in the Old Testament

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 Israels 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
persons hair as a punishment or mark of scorn. On the other hand, God severely punished a number
of youths who mocked the prophet Elishas 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 Bibles most
famous love poem teeth and temples, for instance. Hair is also mentioned in an erotic context: the
lover describes his beloveds 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 lovers hair, wavy, black as a
raven (Song of Songs 5:11).
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Absaloms 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 Absaloms
hair got caught in the branches, but most commentators see it as likely; if this is the case, the
symbolism is rather neat as Absaloms pride and vanity becomes his downfall.
Samsons 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, Samsons hair formed seven impressive
dreadlocks. Bribed by the Philistines, Samsons 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 Samsons
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.
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