Hair

(Num. 6:5) — among the Hebrews it was customary to cut the hair as frequently as among other peoples, but they used a razor, or knife, for cutting hair, and not scissors (Isa. 7:20; Ezek. 5:1). As a result of the vow of growing and letting the hair grow, given, for example, by the Nazirites, the hair of the head remained uncut (Judg. 13:5). It was forbidden to shave the head round about, or to mar the edges of the beard (Lev. 19:27), and of the hair at the temples, as various pagan peoples and priests did (Jer. 9:25; 25:23, and elsewhere); of the priests it was required neither to shave the hair, nor to let it grow long, but to trim it to a moderate length (Ezek. 44:20), and this, of course, in order to distinguish them from the pagan priests, who shaved their heads clean, and from the Nazirites, who did not cut their hair at all.

Curls were considered the chief beauty of hair (Song of Songs 4:1; 5:2). Hair, especially black or dark hair, was considered an adornment and was anointed with oil at festivals or other joyous occasions (Ps. 23 [22]:5; Eccl. 9:8; Ruth 3:3). The bald were held in contempt (2 Kings 2:23). Hair was often adorned with pearls and precious stones (1 Tim. 2:9; 1 Pet. 3:3). Samson’s hair was braided into seven locks (Judg. 16:14). Gray hair indicated advancement in years and was regarded as the crown and adornment of old age (Prov. 16:31). Perfectly white hair was considered a symbol of Divine majesty (Dan. 7:9; 1 Cor. 11:14).