1 Corinthians 11:5 And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.

Bible > 1 Corinthians > Chapter 11 > Verse 5

◄ 1 Corinthians 11:5 ►

New International Version
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.

New Living Translation
But a woman dishonors her head if she prays or prophesies without a covering on her head, for this is the same as shaving her head.

English Standard Version
but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

Berean Standard Bible
And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.

Berean Literal Bible
And every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered dishonors her head; for it is one and the same with having been shaven.

King James Bible
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for it is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

NASB 1995
But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

NASB 1977
But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, disgraces her head; for she is one and the same with her whose head is shaved.

Legacy Standard Bible
But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying, shames her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved.

Amplified Bible
And every woman who prays or prophesies when she has her head uncovered disgraces her head; for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved [in disgrace].

Christian Standard Bible
Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.

American Standard Version
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.

Contemporary English Version
But any woman who prays or prophesies without something on her head brings shame to her head. In fact, she may as well shave her head.

English Revised Version
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoureth her head: for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Every woman who prays or speaks what God has revealed and has her head uncovered while she speaks dishonors the one who has authority over her. She is like the woman who has her head shaved.

Good News Translation
And any woman who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with nothing on her head disgraces her husband; there is no difference between her and a woman whose head has been shaved.

International Standard Version
and every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, which is the same as having her head shaved.

Majority Standard Bible
And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved.

NET Bible
But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered disgraces her head, for it is one and the same thing as having a shaved head.

New Heart English Bible
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.

Webster's Bible Translation
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered, dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaved.

Weymouth New Testament
but a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her Head, for it is exactly the same as if she had her hair cut short.

World English Bible
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head. For it is one and the same thing as if she were shaved.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered, dishonors her own head, for it is one and the same thing with her being shaven,

Berean Literal Bible
And every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered dishonors her head; for it is one and the same with having been shaven.

Young's Literal Translation
and every woman praying or prophesying with the head uncovered, doth dishonour her own head, for it is one and the same thing with her being shaven,

Smith's Literal Translation
And every woman praying or prophesying with head uncovered shames her head: for it is one and the same to her having been shaved.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered, disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if she were shaven.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered disgraces her head. For it is the same as if her head were shaven.

New American Bible
But any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings shame upon her head, for it is one and the same thing as if she had had her head shaved.

New Revised Standard Version
but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled disgraces her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonors her head: for she is equal to her whose head is shaven.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And every woman praying or prophesying, while revealing her head, disgraces her head, for she is equal with her whose head is shaven.

NT Translations

Anderson New Testament
But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonors her head: for it is one and the same as if she was shaved.

Godbey New Testament
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is one and the same to her being shaven.

Haweis New Testament
but every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled, dishonoureth her head; for it is one and the same thing, as if she were shaven.

Mace New Testament
or prophesies with her head uncovered, dishonoureth the man who is her head: for it is the same thing as if her head was shav'd.

Weymouth New Testament
but a woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her Head, for it is exactly the same as if she had her hair cut short.

Worrell New Testament
But every woman, praying or prophesying with her head unveiled, dishonors her head; for it is one and the same, as if she were shaven.

Worsley New Testament
But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoureth man her head; for it is even all one as if she were shaved.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Roles in Worship
…4Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for it is just as if her head were shaved. 6If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Genesis 24:65
and asked the servant, “Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?” “It is my master,” the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself.

Numbers 5:18
After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse.

Deuteronomy 21:12
then you shall bring her into your house. She must shave her head, trim her nails,

Isaiah 47:2
Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams.

Ezekiel 13:18
and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic charms on their wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every height, in order to ensnare their souls. Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own?

Ezekiel 13:21
I will also tear off your veils and deliver My people from your hands, so that they will no longer be prey in your hands. Then you will know that I am the LORD.

Song of Solomon 4:1
How beautiful you are, my darling—how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.

Song of Solomon 6:7
Your brow behind your veil is like a slice of pomegranate.

Genesis 38:14-15
she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. / When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.

Leviticus 13:45
A diseased person must wear torn clothes and let his hair hang loose, and he must cover his mouth and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean!’

2 Samuel 15:30
But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

Matthew 26:7
a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

Luke 7:37-38
When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. / As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.

John 4:27
Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, “What do You want from her?” or “Why are You talking with her?”

Acts 18:18
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.

Treasury of Scripture

But every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

or.

Luke 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Acts 21:9
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

shaven.

Deuteronomy 21:12
Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house; and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;

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Cut Disgraces Dishonoreth Dishonors Dishonoureth Exactly Hair Head Prayeth Praying Prays Prophesies Prophesieth Prophesying Puts Shame Shaved Shaven Uncovered Unveiled

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1 Corinthians 11

1. He reproves them, because in holy assemblies,
4. their men prayed with their heads covered,
6. and women with their heads uncovered;
17. and because generally their meetings were not for the better, but for the worse;
21. as, namely, in profaning with their own feast the Lord's supper.
25. Lastly, he calls them to the first institution thereof.

Berean Study Bible

And every woman
The phrase "every woman" indicates the universality of the instruction. In the Greek, "γυνή" (gynē) is used, which can mean "woman" or "wife," depending on the context. Here, it emphasizes the inclusion of all women within the church community, highlighting the importance of their role in worship and spiritual activities. Historically, women in the early church were active participants, and this verse acknowledges their involvement in prayer and prophecy.

who prays or prophesies
The activities of "prays or prophesies" are significant, as they denote active participation in worship and the exercise of spiritual gifts. The Greek words "προσεύχομαι" (proseuchomai) for "prays" and "προφητεύω" (prophēteuō) for "prophesies" suggest a direct communication with God and the delivery of His messages. This indicates that women were not only present but also vocal and spiritually engaged in the early Christian assemblies.

with her head uncovered
The phrase "with her head uncovered" refers to the cultural practice of head coverings. In the Greco-Roman world, a woman's head covering was a sign of modesty and respectability. The Greek word "ἀκατακάλυπτος" (akatakalyptos) means "unveiled" or "uncovered." This practice was deeply rooted in the societal norms of the time, where a covered head symbolized a woman's honor and her acknowledgment of authority.

dishonors her head
To "dishonor her head" implies bringing shame or disrespect. The Greek word "καταισχύνω" (kataischynō) means to disgrace or put to shame. In this context, "her head" can be understood both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it refers to her physical head, but metaphorically, it can also refer to her husband or male authority, as the head is often a symbol of leadership and authority in biblical texts.

for it is just as if her head were shaved
The comparison "just as if her head were shaved" underscores the severity of the dishonor. In ancient cultures, a shaved head was a sign of disgrace or mourning. The Greek word "ξυράω" (xuraō) means to shave, and this act was often associated with shame or punishment. By equating an uncovered head with a shaved one, Paul emphasizes the importance of adhering to cultural norms that reflect honor and respect within the community.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(5) But every woman that prayeth . . . From the hypothetical case of the man praying or preaching with covered head (which was mentioned first for the sake of introducing the antithesis), the Apostle comes now to the actual case of which he has to treat, viz., the woman uncovering her head. At first sight the permission here implied for a woman to pray and teach in public may seem at variance with the teaching in 1Corinthians 14:34, where she is commanded to observe silence, and the injunction in 1Timothy 2:12, that women should not "teach." In these passages, however, it is the public meeting of the whole Church that is spoken of, and in such the women were to be silent--but the meetings spoken of here, though public as distinguished from the private devotions of individuals, were probably only smaller gatherings such as are indicated in Romans 14:5; Colossians 4:5; Philemon 1:2. It has been suggested by some writers that the command in 1Corinthians 14:34, does forbid the practice which is here assumed to be allowable only for the sake of argument; but surely St. Paul would not have occupied himself and his readers here with the elaborate, and merely forensic discussion of the conditions under which certain functions were to be performed which he was about subsequently to condemn, as not allowable under any restriction whatever? . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 5. - Or prophesieth. Although St. Paul "thinks of one thing at a time," and is not here touching on the question whether women ought to teach in public, it appears from this expression that the rule which he lays down in 1 Corinthians 14:34, 35, and 1 Timothy 2:12 was not meant to be absolute. See the case of Philip's daughters (Acts 21:9 and Acts 2:17). With her head uncovered. For a woman to do this in a public assembly was against the national custom of all ancient communities, and might lead to the gravest misconceptions. As a rule, modest women covered their heads with the peplum or with a veil when they worshipped or were in public. Christian women at Corinth must have caught something of the "inflation" which was characteristic of their Church before they could have acted with such reprehensible boldness as to adopt a custom identified with the character of immodest women. Dishonoureth her head. Calvin, with terse good sense, observes, "As the man honours his head by proclaiming his liberty, so the woman by acknowledging her subjection."

Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

And
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

every
πᾶσα (pasa)
Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3956: All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.

woman
γυνὴ (gynē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 1135: A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.

[who] prays
προσευχομένη (proseuchomenē)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4336: To pray, pray for, offer prayer. From pros and euchomai; to pray to God, i.e. Supplicate, worship.

or
ἢ (ē)
Conjunction
Strong's 2228: Or, than. A primary particle of distinction between two connected terms; disjunctive, or; comparative, than.

prophesies
προφητεύουσα (prophēteuousa)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4395: From prophetes; to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office.

with [her]
τῇ (tē)
Article - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

head
κεφαλῇ (kephalē)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

uncovered
ἀκατακαλύπτῳ (akatakalyptō)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 177: Unveiled, uncovered. Unveiled.

dishonors
καταισχύνει (kataischynei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2617: From kata and aischunomai; to shame down, i.e. Disgrace or put to the blush.

her
αὐτῆς (autēs)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Feminine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

head,
κεφαλὴν (kephalēn)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2776: From the primary kapto; the head, literally or figuratively.

for
γάρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

it is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

just [as if]
αὐτὸ (auto)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Neuter 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

her head were shaved.
ἐξυρημένῃ (exyrēmenē)
Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3587: To shave, shear, cut off the hair. From a derivative of the same as xulon; to shave or 'shear' the hair.

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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman praying or prophesying (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)