In biblical times, head-dress served both practical and symbolic purposes, reflecting cultural, religious, and social significance. The Bible provides various references to head-dress, illustrating its importance in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, head-dress is often associated with priestly garments and the attire of individuals in positions of authority. The high priest's head-dress, known as the "turban" or "mitre," is described in detail in Exodus. The turban was part of the sacred garments worn by Aaron and his descendants, signifying their consecration to God. Exodus 28:4-39 outlines the specific design and materials used for the priestly head-dress, emphasizing its holiness and the role of the high priest as a mediator between God and the people.

The head-dress also appears in the context of mourning and repentance. In 2 Samuel 15:30, David ascends the Mount of Olives weeping, with his head covered, a sign of his deep sorrow and humility before God. Similarly, in Esther 6:12, Haman covers his head in shame after being humiliated by Mordecai's honor.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, head-dress is addressed in the context of worship and propriety. The Apostle Paul discusses head coverings in 1 Corinthians 11:4-15, where he instructs men to pray with uncovered heads and women to cover their heads. Paul links this practice to the order of creation and the angels, suggesting that head coverings symbolize authority and honor. The passage reflects the cultural norms of the time, where head coverings were a sign of modesty and respect.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Head-dress in biblical times often indicated one's social status, gender, and religious devotion. For women, head coverings were a sign of modesty and submission, as seen in the cultural practices of the early church. For men, the absence of a head covering during prayer symbolized direct access to God and the removal of barriers.

The head-dress also held symbolic meaning in prophetic literature. In Isaiah 61:3, the "garment of praise" replaces the "spirit of despair," and the "headdress of beauty" is given instead of ashes, symbolizing restoration and divine favor.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, head-dress serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing religious devotion, social status, and cultural identity. Its presence in both the Old and New Testaments underscores its enduring significance in the biblical narrative and the lives of God's people.Not in common use among the Hebrews. It is first mentioned in Exodus 28:40 (A.V., "bonnets;" R.V., "head-tires"). It was used especially for purposes of ornament (Job 29:14; Isaiah 3:23; 62:3). The Hebrew word here used, tsaniph, properly means a turban, folds of linen wound round the head. The Hebrew word peer, used in Isaiah 61:3, there rendered "beauty" (A.V.) and "garland" (R.V.), is a head-dress or turban worn by females (Isaiah 3: 20, "bonnets"), priests (Exodus 39:28), a bridegroom (Isaiah 61:10, "ornament;" R.V., "garland"). Ezek. 16:10 and Jonah 2:5 are to be understood of the turban wrapped round the head. The Hebrew shebisim (Isaiah 3:18), in the Authorized Version rendered "cauls," and marg. "networks," denotes probably a kind of netted head-dress. The "horn" (Hebrews keren) mentioned in 1 Samuel 2:1 is the head-dress called by the Druses of Mount Lebanon the tantura. 6287b. peer -- headdress, turban
... 6287a, 6287b. peer. 6288 . headdress, turban. Transliteration: peer
Short Definition: garland. Word Origin from paar Definition ...
/hebrew/6287b.htm - 5k

6797. tsaniph -- a turban
... Or tsanowph {tsaw-nofe'}; or (feminine) tsaniyphah {tsaw-nee-faw'}; from tsanaph;
a head-dress (ie Piece of cloth wrapped around) -- diadem, hood, mitre. ...
/hebrew/6797.htm - 6k

6287. p'er -- to go over the boughs
... beauty, bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire From pa'ar; an embellishment, ie Fancy
head-dress -- beauty, bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire. see HEBREW pa'ar. ...
/hebrew/6287.htm - 5k

Martyrdom of Our Apostles.
... He sent word to Att??us: "Make me a head-dress of cloth interwoven with gold, like
those you formerly used to make for my father." He received this answer from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/ix martyrdom of our apostles.htm

Letter xxxviii. To Marcella.
... even as by the spirit of the Lord." [777] In those days maids arranged her hair,
and her head, which had done no harm, was forced into a waving head-dress. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xxxviii to marcella.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... body. The lower portion of the head-dress has fallen, so that the neck
appears too slender to support the weight of the head. The ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History ...
... as her eyes fell. Then came the effeminate Gracus, in head-dress and
neckerchief, frilled robe and lady's sandals. He was of great ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 2 those days it.htm

Events of Early Christian Life
... meeting listening to a sermon, a voice began to talk to my soul: "You profess to
be sanctified, living a holy life, and yet your head-dress shows conformity to ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter vi events of early.htm

Toilet.
... It seems incredible that a ribbon-knot, the color of a robe, or the form of a
head-dress, could become a capital matter for an intelligent creature destined to ...
/.../sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/chapter xv toilet.htm

The Groups Round the Cross
... in crucifixion the victim was stripped before being affixed to the cross"a trait
of revolting shame.[2] A large, loose upper garment, a head-dress perhaps, a ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xiii the groups round.htm

Changed Conditions
... As we came to districts where the regulations had been less severely enforced, we
found the queue replaced by the most extraordinary head-dress; the hair ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

The Gods of the Different Nations Varro's Gentile Class. Their ...
... whilst evidence is given that the care of the supplies was all on his head, [916]
by the very ears of corn which embellish the border of the head-dress. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad nationes/chapter viii the gods of the.htm

Against Embellishing the Body.
... But if one withdraw the veil of the temple, I mean the head-dress, the dye, the
clothes, the gold, the paint, the cosmetics,"that is, the web consisting of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

Headdress (1 Occurrence)
... The "horn" (Hebrews keren) mentioned in 1 Samuel 2:1 is the head-dress called by
the Druses of Mount Lebanon the tantura. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...HEADDRESS. ...
/h/headdress.htm - 8k

Head-dress (22 Occurrences)
Head-dress. Headdress, Head-dress. Headdresses . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
(BBE). Headdress, Head-dress. Headdresses . Reference Bible.
/h/head-dress.htm - 14k

Bonnet (1 Occurrence)
... RV, "tires"), denotes properly a turban worn by priests, and in Isaiah 3:20 (RV,
"head-tires") a head-dress or tiara ... 1. (n.) A headdress for men and boys; a cap ...
/b/bonnet.htm - 10k

Turban (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A headdress worn by men in the Levant and by most Mohammedans of the male
sex, consisting of a cap, and a sash, scarf, or shawl, usually of cotton or ...
/t/turban.htm - 11k

Tower (74 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A headdress of a high or tower like form, fashionable about the end of the
seventeenth century and until 1715; also, any high headdress. ...
/t/tower.htm - 52k

Trousers (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:28 And the twisted head-dress for Aaron, and beautiful head-dresses
of linen, and linen trousers, (BBE DBY YLT). Leviticus ...
/t/trousers.htm - 8k

Mitre (10 Occurrences)
... (Hebrews mitsnepheth), something rolled round the head; the turban or
head-dress of the high priest (Exodus 28:4, 37, 39; 29:6, etc.). ...
/m/mitre.htm - 12k

Body-cover (11 Occurrences)
... with war-carriages and a great band of peoples; they will put themselves in order
against you with breastplate and body-cover and metal head-dress round about ...
/b/body-cover.htm - 10k

Cornet (8 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A headdress. 9. (n.) A square cap anciently worn as a mark of certain
professions. 10. (n.) A part of a woman's headdress, in the 16th century. 11. ...
/c/cornet.htm - 11k

Metal (69 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 17:5 And he had a head-dress of brass on his head, and he was dressed in
a coat of metal, the weight of which was five thousand shekels of brass. ...
/m/metal.htm - 30k

Should Christian women wear head coverings? | GotQuestions.org

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