Lexical Summary xurao: To shave Original Word: ξυράω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance shave. From a derivative of the same as xulon (meaning a razor); to shave or "shear" the hair -- shave. see GREEK xulon Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3587: ξυράωξυράω (a later form, from Diodorus (1, 84) down, for ξυρέω, which the earlier writers used from Herodotus down; (Winers Grammar, 24; Buttmann, 63 (55); especially Alexander Buttmann (1873) Ausf. Spr. ii., p. 53)), ξυρῷ: perfect passive participle ἐξυρημενος; middle, present infinitive ξυρᾶσθαι (for which some would read (1 Corinthians 11:6) ξυρᾶσθαι (1 aorist middle infinitive from ξυρῷ); see WH's Appendix, p. 166); 1 aorist subjunctive 3 person plural ξυρήσωνται (but T Tr WH read the future ξυρήσονται); (from ξυρόν a razor, and this from ξύω); the Sept. for גִּלַּח; to shear, shave: passive 1 Corinthians 11:5; middle to get oneself shaved, 1 Corinthians 11:6; 1 Corinthians 11:6; with an accusative specifying the object more precisely (cf. Buttmann, § 134, 7; Winer's Grammar, § 32, 5): τήν κεφαλήν, Acts 21:21 (the Sept. Numbers 6:9, 19: Leviticus 21:5; τάς ὀφρύας, Herodotus 2, 66; τό σῶμα, 2, 37). Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 3587 captures the act of shaving the head with a razor. In the New Testament it appears only three times and always marks an outward, visible statement—either of public shame (1 Corinthians 11) or of consecration and purification (Acts 21). Old Testament Background • Nazarite vow completion required the head to be shaved and the hair burned on the altar (Numbers 6:18). These precedents inform the New Testament use, where the razor becomes a symbol of either voluntary devotion or imposed disgrace. Cultural Setting in the First Century Among Greeks and Romans, philosophers often wore long hair and beards, while soldiers and athletes shaved for practicality. Jewish custom, however, prized uncut hair for men under specific vows and viewed the woman’s long hair as her “glory” (1 Corinthians 11:15). Thus, head-shaving carried layered meanings across the Mediterranean world, and Paul addresses believers who occupied all three cultures. New Testament Usage 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 – Paul argues that a Christian woman who prays or prophesies without a covering “is one and the same as having her head shaved.” In Corinthian society a shaved female head could indicate adultery, slavery, or temple prostitution. Paul appeals to that cultural shame to press the theological point that public worship must reflect created order and honor. Acts 21:24 – James advises Paul, “Take these men, join in their purification, and pay their expenses so they can shave their heads.” The suggested act corresponds to the Nazarite or similar temporary vow in which the final razor stroke testified that the period of devotion had ended in purity. Paul’s participation shows his respect for the Law, silencing rumors that he taught Jews “to forsake Moses.” Theological Reflections 1. External signs matter because they proclaim internal realities. Whether the sign is disgrace (a woman defying headship) or devotion (men completing a vow), the action preaches. Ministry Implications • Public worship should exhibit visual cues that align with biblical teaching on gender, holiness, and community witness. Practical Application for Today 1. Evaluate dress and appearance in worship through the lens of honor, modesty, and edification, not through legalism or cultural capitulation. Related Terms and Themes • Keirō (Strong’s 2751) – “to cut the hair”: broader term for shearing or clipping. Forms and Transliterations εξυρημενη ἐξυρημένῃ εξυρημένοι εξύρησαν εξυρήσατο εξυρήσε εξύρησε εξύρησεν ξύη ξυρασθαι ξυράσθαι ξυρᾶσθαι ξυρηθήναι ξυρηθήσεσθε ξυρηθήσεται ξυρηθήσονται ξύρησαι ξυρήσασθαι ξυρήσει ξυρήσεις ξυρήσεται ξύρησιν ξύρησίν ξυρησονται ξυρήσονται ξυρήσωμαι ξυρήσωνται ξυρόν ξυρός ξυρώ ξυστούς ξύων exuremene exurēmenē exyremene exyrēmenē exyreménei exyrēménēi xurasthai xuresontai xurēsontai xyrasthai xyrâsthai xyresontai xyrēsontai xyrḗsontaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 21:24 V-FIM-3PGRK: αὐτοῖς ἵνα ξυρήσονται τὴν κεφαλήν NAS: so that they may shave their heads; KJV: that they may shave [their] heads: INT: them that they may shave the head 1 Corinthians 11:5 V-RPM/P-DFS 1 Corinthians 11:6 V-PNM/P Strong's Greek 3587 |
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