The term "shorn" refers to the act of cutting or clipping hair, wool, or similar materials. In biblical contexts, it is often associated with specific cultural and religious practices, particularly concerning hair. The concept of being shorn appears in various passages throughout the Bible, each carrying distinct implications and teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the act of shearing is most commonly associated with sheep. The process of shearing sheep is mentioned in several passages, often in the context of agricultural practices and economic activities. For example, in Genesis 38:12-13, Tamar learns that her father-in-law, Judah, is going to Timnah to shear his sheep, which sets the stage for her subsequent actions.

The act of being shorn also appears in the context of the Nazirite vow, a special vow of consecration to God. According to Numbers 6:5, a Nazirite was to abstain from cutting their hair for the duration of their vow: "For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long." At the conclusion of the vow, the Nazirite was to be shorn, as described in Numbers 6:18: "Then the Nazirite shall shave his consecrated head at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, take the hair from his head, and put it on the fire under the peace offering."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being shorn is addressed in the context of cultural practices and church teachings. One of the most notable references is found in 1 Corinthians 11:5-6, where the Apostle Paul discusses appropriate conduct and appearance for women in worship: "And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as if her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off; and if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut or her head shaved, she should cover her head."

This passage reflects the cultural norms of the time, where a woman's hair was considered her glory and a sign of her femininity. Being shorn or having a shaved head was often associated with shame or dishonor. Paul's instructions were aimed at maintaining order and propriety within the worship setting, reflecting the broader cultural values of modesty and respect.

Symbolism and Implications

The act of being shorn carries symbolic weight in biblical literature. It can signify a transition, such as the completion of a Nazirite vow, or serve as a metaphor for disgrace or judgment. For instance, in the prophetic literature, being shorn is sometimes used to symbolize humiliation or defeat. In Isaiah 7:20, the prophet speaks of the Lord using a razor to shave the head and hair of the feet, symbolizing the coming judgment upon the land.

Overall, the concept of being shorn in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing practical, cultural, and symbolic dimensions. It reflects the values and practices of ancient societies while also conveying deeper spiritual truths and lessons.1. (p. p.) of Shear.

2. (p. p) of Shear.

7094. qatsab -- to cut off, shear
... root Definition to cut off, shear NASB Word Usage cut off (1), shorn (1). cut down,
shorn. A primitive root; to clip, or (generally) chop -- cut down, shorn. ...
/hebrew/7094.htm - 5k

3698. kussemeth -- spelt (a kind of wheat)
... fitches, rie. From kacam; spelt (from its bristliness as if just shorn) -- fitches,
rie. see HEBREW kacam. 3697, 3698. kussemeth. 3699 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3698.htm - 6k

6977. qevutstsoth -- locks (of hair)
... lock. Feminine passive participle of quwts in its original sense; a forelock (as
shorn) -- lock. see HEBREW quwts. 6976, 6977. qevutstsoth. 6978 . ...
/hebrew/6977.htm - 6k

1488. gez -- a shearing, mowing
... fleece, mowing, mown grass. From gazaz; a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass --
fleece, mowing, mown grass. see HEBREW gazaz. 1487, 1488. gez. 1489 . ...
/hebrew/1488.htm - 6k

Thy Teeth are Like a Flock of Sheep that are Even Shorn, which ...
... 2. Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which came up from the
washing; whereof every one bears twins, and none is barren among them. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 thy teeth are like.htm

CM Doddridge. God Tempers the Wind to the Shorn Lamb.
... SUPPLEMENT. 546. CM Doddridge. God Tempers the Wind to the Shorn Lamb. 1
Great ruler of all nature's frame, We own Thy power divine ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/546 c m doddridge god.htm

The Dove and the Lamb
... Willing to be Shorn. Then He was the shorn Lamb, willing to be shorn of
His rights, His reputation, and every human liberty that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 5 the dove and.htm

The Washing Away of Sins is Indicated by the White Robes of the ...
... And farther on: "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are shorn, which are come
up from the pool, which all bear twins, and none is barren among them, thy ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vii the washing away.htm

Psalm XCV.
... Song of Solomon, speaking of some perfect ones as the teeth of His Spouse the Holy
Church: "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are even shorn, which come ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcv.htm

Introduction.
... When the Holy Spirit left Samson he fell into various calamities, and St. Ambrose
explains the spiritual significance of his shorn locks. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/introduction 2.htm

Of the Reasons Assigned by the Apostle for Bidding Women to be ...
... If "it is shameful for a woman to be shaven or shorn," of course it is so
for a virgin. (Hence let the world, the rival of God, see ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter vii of the reasons assigned.htm

A Cultivated Conservative Friend of Mine once Exhibited Great ...
... pious, pretty, half-artificial optimism and deism of the eighteenth century carne
in the voice of Sterne, saying, "God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." And ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 42 a cultivated conservative.htm

Use of the Obscurities in Scripture which Arise from Its ...
... where it is said of the Church, when it is being praised under the figure of a
beautiful woman, "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are shorn which came ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 6 use of the obscurities.htm

But Hasty and Careless Readers are Led Astray by Many and Manifold ...
... where it is said of the Church, when it is being praised under the figure of a
beautiful woman, "Thy teeth are like a flock of sheep that are shorn, which came ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 7 but hasty and.htm

Shorn (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shorn (5 Occurrences). ... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). 1 Corinthians
11:6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. ...
/s/shorn.htm - 8k

Veiled (23 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but
if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. ...
/v/veiled.htm - 12k

Fleece (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The wool of a sheep, whether shorn off or still
attached to the skin (Deuteronomy 18:4; Job 31:20). The ...
/f/fleece.htm - 9k

Shameful (27 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn.
But if it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ...
/s/shameful.htm - 15k

Shaven (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if
it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. ...
/s/shaven.htm - 8k

Shaved (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if
it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ...
/s/shaved.htm - 13k

Cover (254 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if
it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ...
/c/cover.htm - 40k

Covered (325 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if
it is shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. ...
/c/covered.htm - 37k

Herself (121 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:6 for if a woman is not covered -- then let her be shorn, and if
'it is' a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven -- let her be covered; (See ...
/h/herself.htm - 36k

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... however, taken; and from the form of renewal of the vow, when by any means it was
accidentally broken, we may judge that the head was also shorn on initiation ...
/n/nazirite.htm - 21k

What should we learn from the account of Samson and Delilah? | GotQuestions.org

Shorn: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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