The term "bald-head" appears in the Bible in the context of a narrative involving the prophet Elisha. This term is found in 2 Kings 2:23-24, where it is used as a term of mockery by a group of youths. The passage reads:

"From there, Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. 'Get out of here, baldy!' they said. 'Get out of here, baldy!' He turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." (2 Kings 2:23-24)

Context and Interpretation

In this passage, Elisha is traveling to Bethel, a city that had become a center of idolatry and apostasy in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The youths' taunt, "baldy," is not merely a comment on Elisha's physical appearance but is understood as a profound disrespect for his prophetic office and, by extension, for God Himself. In ancient Near Eastern culture, baldness could be associated with shame or disgrace, and the term "bald-head" was likely intended as an insult.

The severity of the youths' punishment—being mauled by bears—has been interpreted as a divine act of judgment. This event underscores the seriousness with which God regards the honor of His prophets and the authority of His word. It serves as a warning against mocking or dismissing God's messengers.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, this incident highlights several key themes:

1. Respect for God's Anointed: The narrative emphasizes the importance of respecting those whom God has chosen to deliver His message. Prophets in the Old Testament were God's spokesmen, and to mock them was to mock God Himself.

2. Divine Justice: The swift and severe punishment meted out to the youths serves as a reminder of God's justice. It illustrates that God will not tolerate irreverence towards His appointed servants.

3. The Power of the Prophetic Word: Elisha's curse, spoken in the name of the LORD, demonstrates the power and authority vested in the prophetic office. It shows that the words of a prophet, when aligned with God's will, carry significant weight and consequence.

Cultural and Historical Considerations

In the ancient world, physical appearance, including hair, often carried symbolic meaning. While baldness could be seen as a sign of mourning or humility, in this context, it was used derogatorily. The incident reflects the broader cultural and religious tensions of the time, as Elisha's ministry was set against a backdrop of widespread idolatry and rebellion against God in Israel.

Conclusion

The account of Elisha and the mocking youths serves as a powerful narrative about the respect due to God's representatives and the seriousness with which God defends His honor. It is a vivid reminder of the consequences of irreverence and the authority of the prophetic word.7142. qereach -- bald
... Word Origin from qarach Definition bald NASB Word Usage bald (1), baldhead (2).
bald head. From qarach; bald (on the back of the head) -- bald (head). ...
/hebrew/7142.htm - 6k

7146. qarachath -- baldness of head
... Word Origin from qarach Definition baldness of head NASB Word Usage bald head
(2), bareness* (1), head (1), top (1). bald head, bare within. ...
/hebrew/7146.htm - 6k

Psalm XLVII.
... When God's Prophet Elisha was going up, children called after him mocking, "Go up
thou bald head, Go up thou bald head:" but he, not so much in cruelty as in ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlvii.htm

Election
... Remember what became of the children who found fault with God's prophet, and exclaimed,
"Go up, thou bald-head; go up, thou bald-head." Say nothing against ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/election.htm

A Prophet of Peace
... These youth had heard of Elijah's ascension, and they made this solemn event the
subject of their jeers, saying to Elisha, "Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 19 a prophet of.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... I had tried to imagine what would really happen if I suddenly put both my hands
on the bald head of our friend there in the pew in front until the fascination ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

How one Should Resist Temptations and Bear Trials
... What is more, any temptation can be overcome by a good will too, like a fly driven
away from a bald head by one's hand. So peace is for men of good will. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 11 how one should.htm

Labors in a New Field
... His last illness was preceded by a drunken spree, during which some rougish boys
painted a barren fig-tree on his bald head. He died soon afterward. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

His First School. The School-House. The Teacher. The Order of ...
... fun. One more bold than the rest would tickle his bald head or his nose,
and to see him scratching would afford us much amusement. ...
/.../chapter ii his first school.htm

Song 18. Against Scoffing and Calling Names.
... off. 4 When children, in their wanton play Served old Elisha so, And bade
the prophet go his way, "Go up, thou bald head, go.". 5 ...
/.../watts/divine songs for children/song 18 against scoffing and.htm

Song 18. Against Scoffing and Calling Names.
... Served old Elisha so,. And bade the prophet go his way,. Go up, thou bald head,
go!'. God quickly stopp'd their wicked breath; And sent two raging bears,. ...
/.../watts/divine and moral songs/song 18 against scoffing and.htm

Two Archbishops
... He was no imposing orator, but short of stature, and though only fifty years old,
was pale, meagre, sickly, and prematurely aged, with bald head and beard ...
/.../chapter xiii two archbishops.htm

Baldhead (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Baldhead (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 2:23 He went up from
there to Bethel. ... Go up, you baldhead!" (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/baldhead.htm - 6k

Bald-head (1 Occurrence)
Bald-head. Baldhead, Bald-head. Baldness . Multi-Version Concordance Bald-head
(1 Occurrence). ... (WBS YLT). Baldhead, Bald-head. Baldness . Reference Bible
/b/bald-head.htm - 6k

Bald (12 Occurrences)
... him; and, behold, if the rising of the plague is reddish-white in his baldhead,
or in ... Go up, you baldhead!" (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/bald.htm - 11k

White-reddish (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 And if there be in the baldhead, or bald forehead, a white-reddish
sore, it is a leprosy which hath broken out in his baldhead, or his bald ...
/w/white-reddish.htm - 7k

Infectious (19 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the baldhead, or the bald forehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his baldhead, or his bald ...
/i/infectious.htm - 12k

Reddish-white (4 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the baldhead, or the bald forehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his baldhead, or his bald ...
/r/reddish-white.htm - 7k

Reddish (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the baldhead, or the bald forehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his baldhead, or his bald ...
/r/reddish.htm - 8k

Diseased (39 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there be in the baldhead, or the bald forehead, a
reddish-white plague, it is leprosy breaking out in his baldhead, or his bald ...
/d/diseased.htm - 18k

Infection (24 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:42 But if there is in the baldhead, or the bald forehead, a
reddish-white plague; it is leprosy breaking out in his baldhead, or his bald ...
/i/infection.htm - 14k

Baldness (11 Occurrences)
... 13). To call one a "baldhead" was an epithet of contempt, and was sometimes
applied to persons who were not naturally bald. It ...
/b/baldness.htm - 13k

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