Topical Encyclopedia The topic of women cutting their hair is addressed in the Bible primarily through cultural and theological lenses, particularly in the New Testament. The most direct reference is found in the Apostle Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, where he discusses the customs of head coverings and hair length in the context of worship and propriety.1 Corinthians 11:2-16: In this passage, Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding traditions and practices during worship. He writes, "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved" (1 Corinthians 11:4-5). Paul continues to explain that if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off, but since it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved, she should cover her head (1 Corinthians 11:6). Paul's argument is rooted in the cultural context of the time, where a woman's long hair was considered her glory and a sign of femininity. He states, "Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering" (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). This passage suggests that long hair serves as a natural covering, symbolizing a woman's honor and distinction. Cultural and Historical Context: In the Greco-Roman world, hair length and style were significant markers of gender and social status. Women typically wore their hair long, and cutting it short could be associated with mourning, disgrace, or rebellion against societal norms. In Jewish culture, the Nazirite vow, as described in Numbers 6, involved not cutting one's hair as a sign of dedication to God, but this was a specific vow and not a general practice for women. Theological Implications: The discussion of hair length in 1 Corinthians 11 is often interpreted as part of a broader discourse on order and propriety within the church. Paul emphasizes the importance of maintaining distinctions between men and women, reflecting the created order. The passage underscores the principle of headship, where Christ is the head of every man, the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3). Modern Interpretations and Practices: Among conservative Christian communities, interpretations of this passage vary. Some view it as a cultural directive specific to the Corinthian church, while others see it as a timeless principle that upholds gender distinctions. In contemporary practice, the emphasis on hair length and head coverings can differ widely, with some denominations maintaining traditional views and others adopting more flexible interpretations. Overall, the topic of women cutting their hair in the Bible is intertwined with cultural, theological, and ecclesiastical considerations, reflecting broader themes of gender roles, propriety, and worship practices. Topical Bible Verses 1 Peter 1:15-19But as he which has called you is holy, so be you holy in all manner of conversation; Topicalbible.org 2 Timothy 3:16 Library Against Men who Embellish Themselves. 1 Cor. xiv. 34 A Compendious view of the Christian Life. Treatise ii. On the Dress of virgins. The Embalming of the Body of Jesus. Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ... Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends 1 Cor. vi. 15 Treatise iii. On the Lapsed. Praying Saints of the Old Testaments Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
    |