Braiding, as referenced in the Bible, pertains primarily to the styling of hair and is mentioned in the context of modesty and adornment. The practice of braiding hair is noted in the New Testament, where it is discussed in relation to the outward appearance of women and their conduct.

In 1 Timothy 2:9-10 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God." Here, braiding is mentioned alongside other forms of adornment such as gold and pearls, suggesting that the focus should not be on external beauty but rather on inner virtues and good deeds.

Similarly, in 1 Peter 3:3-4 , Peter advises, "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." This passage emphasizes the value of inner beauty over external appearances, encouraging women to cultivate a spirit that is pleasing to God.

The cultural context of these passages is significant. In the Greco-Roman world, elaborate hairstyles and the use of jewelry were often associated with wealth and social status. The biblical exhortations to avoid such practices were not a condemnation of braiding per se, but rather a call to prioritize spiritual virtues over materialistic displays.

In the broader biblical narrative, the emphasis on modesty and humility is consistent with the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. The focus is on the heart and character of a person rather than their outward appearance. This perspective aligns with the biblical principle that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

While braiding itself is not inherently wrong, the biblical texts caution against allowing such practices to become a source of pride or a distraction from one's spiritual life. The call is to reflect the character of Christ in all aspects of life, including how one presents oneself to the world.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Braid.

2. (n.) The act of making or using braids.

3. (n.) Braids, collectively; trimming.

BRAIDED; BRAIDING

brad'-ed, brad'-ing (to plegama, "that which is plaited," 1 Timothy 2:9; he emploke, "a plaiting," 1 Peter 3:3): Used with reference to Christian women in two passages where the apostles emphasized the superiority of good works and spiritual grace over outward adornment.

See EMBROIDERY.

1708. emploke -- (elaborate) braiding (of the hair)
... (elaborate) braiding (of ... Word Origin from empleko Definition (elaborate) braiding
(of the hair) NASB Word Usage braiding (1). elaborate braiding of the hair. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1708.htm - 6k

4117. plegma -- a braiding
... a braiding. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: plegma Phonetic Spelling:
(pleg'-mah) Short Definition: braided hair, anything interwoven Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4117.htm - 6k

V. ...
... Whose adorning is not outward, in the braiding of the hair, and the wearing of gold,
or the putting on of apparel, but the hidden man of the heart, in that ...
/.../the epistles of st peter and st jude preached and explained/chapter iii v .htm

Father and Judge
... two conceptions widely apart, and sometimes has been foolish enough to pit them
against each other instead of doing as Peter does here, braiding them together ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/father and judge.htm

Treatise on the Priesthood. Book vi.
... For beauty of face, elegance of movement, an affected gait and lisping voice, pencilled
eyebrows and enamelled cheeks, elaborate braiding and dyeing of hair ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/treatise on the priesthood book 6.htm

The Humanity of God
... when the rebel submits himself to law; when the son comes back to his father's
house"there is no sternness, no peevishness, no up-braiding, no pride, no ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon ix the humanity of god.htm

Colossians iv. 12, 13
... these ornaments that are made of gold, but with gentleness and modesty, and the
customary robes; in place of all golden ornament and braiding, arraying her in ...
/.../homily xii colossians iv 12.htm

Braiding (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) Braids, collectively; trimming. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRAIDED;
BRAIDING. ... See EMBROIDERY. Multi-Version Concordance Braiding (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/braiding.htm - 7k

External-braiding (1 Occurrence)
External-braiding. External, External-braiding. Extinct .
Multi-Version Concordance External-braiding (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/external-braiding.htm - 6k

Braided (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. &. pp) of Braid. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. BRAIDED; BRAIDING. brad'-ed, brad'-ing (to plegama ...
/b/braided.htm - 9k

External (8 Occurrences)

/e/external.htm - 9k

Plaiting (3 Occurrences)
... plat'-ing, plat'-ing (from the Old French, pleit, which is from the Latin plicatum,
"fold"): An interweaving, a braiding, a knot; an elaborate gathering of the ...
/p/plaiting.htm - 8k

Outward (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB KJV WEY ...
/o/outward.htm - 13k

Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB ASV BBE). ...
/j/jewels.htm - 23k

Wearing (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB KJV WEY ...
/w/wearing.htm - 18k

Rope (10 Occurrences)
... See Cordage. 2. (n.) A row or string consisting of a number of things united,
as by braiding, twining, etc.; as, a rope of onions. ...
/r/rope.htm - 11k

Extinct (3 Occurrences)

/e/extinct.htm - 8k

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

Braiding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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