In biblical times, the comb was a practical tool used for grooming and maintaining hair, a practice that held both hygienic and cultural significance. While the Bible does not explicitly mention the comb as a distinct object, the care and presentation of hair are referenced in various passages, indicating the likely use of such grooming tools.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, including those of the Israelites, personal grooming was an important aspect of daily life. Hair was often seen as a symbol of strength and beauty, as exemplified in the account of Samson, whose uncut hair was the source of his strength (Judges 16:17). The care of hair, therefore, would have been a routine practice, likely involving the use of combs made from materials such as wood, bone, or ivory.

Symbolism and Significance

Hair and its grooming carried symbolic meanings in the biblical narrative. For instance, the Nazarite vow, taken by individuals like Samson and Samuel, involved letting the hair grow uncut as a sign of dedication to God (Numbers 6:5). This suggests that the act of grooming, including the use of a comb, was not merely for appearance but also held spiritual significance.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the topic of hair in the context of worship and propriety. In 1 Corinthians 11:14-15, Paul writes, "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." This passage highlights the cultural norms regarding hair length and presentation, implying the importance of grooming tools like combs in maintaining these standards.

Practical Use

While the Bible does not provide detailed descriptions of grooming practices, archaeological findings from the ancient Near East have uncovered combs that date back to biblical times. These artifacts suggest that combs were commonly used for detangling and styling hair, as well as for removing lice and other impurities, which was essential for maintaining cleanliness and health.

Spiritual Lessons

The care of one's appearance, including the grooming of hair, can be seen as a reflection of the inner self. In 1 Peter 3:3-4, believers are encouraged to focus on the "unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit," rather than merely outward adornment. This teaching underscores the idea that while grooming and appearance have their place, they should not overshadow the cultivation of inner virtues.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the comb, the cultural and spiritual significance of hair care in biblical times suggests that such tools were an integral part of daily life. The grooming of hair, facilitated by the use of combs, was not only a matter of personal hygiene but also a reflection of cultural values and spiritual commitments.1. (n.) An instrument with teeth, for straightening, cleansing, and adjusting the hair, or for keeping it in place.

2. (n.) An instrument for currying hairy animals, or cleansing and smoothing their coats; a currycomb.

3. (n.) A toothed instrument used for separating and cleansing wool, flax, hair, etc.

4. (n.) The serrated vibratory doffing knife of a carding machine.

5. (n.) A former, commonly cone-shaped, used in hat manufacturing for hardening the soft fiber into a bat.

6. (n.) A tool with teeth, used for chasing screws on work in a lathe; a chaser.

7. (n.) The notched scale of a wire micrometer.

8. (n.) The collector of an electrical machine, usually resembling a comb.

9. (n.) The naked fleshy crest or caruncle on the upper part of the bill or hood of a cock or other bird. It is usually red.

10. (n.) One of a pair of peculiar organs on the base of the abdomen of scorpions.

11. (n.) The curling crest of a wave.

12. (n.) The waxen framework forming the walls of the cells in which bees store their honey, eggs, etc.; honeycomb.

13. (n.) The thumb piece of the hammer of a gunlock, by which it may be cocked.

14. (v. t.) To disentangle, cleanse, or adjust, with a comb; to lay smooth and straight with, or as with, a comb; as, to comb hair or wool. See under Combing.

15. (n.) To roll over, as the top or crest of a wave; to break with a white foam, as waves.

16. (n.) Alt. of Combe

17. (n.) A dry measure. See Coomb.

2781. kerion -- honeycomb.
... honeycomb. Diminutive from keos (wax); a cell for honey, ie (collectively) the comb --
(honey-)comb. 2780, 2781. kerion. 2782 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2781.htm - 5k

3193. melissios -- made by bees.
... Word Origin from melissa (a bee) Definition made by bees. honeycomb. From meli;
relating to honey, ie Bee (comb) -- honeycomb. see GREEK meli. 3192, 3193. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3193.htm - 6k

5123. toutesti -- that is to say.
... that is to say. Transliteration: toutesti Phonetic Spelling: (toot-es'-tee) Short
Definition: is. Word Origin variant reading, comb. of touto and esti, qv. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5123.htm - 6k

5317. nopheth -- flowing honey, honey from the comb
... 5316, 5317. nopheth. 5318 . flowing honey, honey from the comb. Transliteration:
nopheth Phonetic Spelling: (no'-feth) Short Definition: honey. ...
/hebrew/5317.htm - 6k

6688. tsuph -- (honey) comb
... (honey) comb. Transliteration: tsuph Phonetic Spelling: (tsoof) Short Definition:
honeycomb. ... honeycomb. From tsuwph; comb of honey (from dripping) -- honeycomb. ...
/hebrew/6688.htm - 6k

3293. ya'ar -- wood, forest, thicket
ya'ar. 3292, 3293. ya'ar. 3293a . wood, forest, thicket. Transliteration:
ya'ar Phonetic Spelling: (yah'-ar) Short Definition: comb. honeycomb, forest, wood ...
/hebrew/3293.htm - 5k

3295. yarah -- honeycomb
... of yaar Definition honeycomb NASB Word Usage honeycomb* (1). honey comb, forest.
Feminine of ya'ar, and meaning the same -- (honey-) comb, forest. ...
/hebrew/3295.htm - 6k

1706. debash -- honey
... honeycomb. From an unused root meaning to be gummy; honey (from its stickiness);
by analogy, syrup -- honey((-comb)). 1705, 1706. debash. 1707 . ...
/hebrew/1706.htm - 5k

6689. Tsuph -- ancestor of Elkanah and Samuel
... Or Tsowphay {tso-fah'-ee}; or Tsiyph {tseef}; from tsuwph; honey-comb; Tsuph or
Tsophai or Tsiph, the name of an Israelite and of a place in Palestine -- Zophai ...
/hebrew/6689.htm - 6k

Diamond Became a Great Favourite with all the Men About the Mews. ...
... change their minds about him. One day Jack gave him a curry-comb and a brush
to try his hand upon old Diamond's coat. He used them so ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 17 diamond became a.htm

"Honey in the Mouth!"
... the Father "the honey is in the flower, which is at such a distance from us that
we could never extract it." In the Son "the honey is in the comb, prepared for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/honey in the mouth.htm

Psalm XIX.
... "And sweeter than honey and the honey comb." And whether one be even now honey,
who, disenthralled already from the chains of this life, is awaiting the day ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xix.htm

Introduction
... a constellation of beauties. He whose lips were not only sweet as the
honey-comb, but did drop as the honey-comb. His words, an ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/1 introduction.htm

That Contemplation is Made Without Labour, which is the Third ...
... I am come into my garden, said he, O my sister, my spouse, I have gathered my myrrh,
with aromatical spices; I have eaten the honey-comb with my honey, I have ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vi that contemplation is.htm

Christ the Mediator of the Covenant
... grace, and communicates to us. He is not only sweet as the honey-comb,
but drops as the honey-comb. In Christ our Mediator there ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 christ the mediator of.htm

How the Philistines Made Another Expedition against the Hebrews ...
... Saul's son, who did not hear his father denounce that curse, nor hear of the
approbation the multitude gave to it, broke off a piece of a honey-comb, and ate ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the philistines.htm

On Easter
... leaves. Hence the bee, about to construct its comb, leaving the hive,
humming over the flowers, carries off honey with its leg. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/venantius/on easter/on easter.htm

The Resurrection of Christ Proves that the Body Rises.
... they asked Him to eat with them, that they might thus still more accurately ascertain
that He had in verity risen bodily; and He did eat honey-comb and fish. ...
/.../chapter ix the resurrection of christ.htm

How Great are the Benefits Conferred on Man through the Advent of ...
... "Sweet is the Word that gives us light, precious above gold and gems; it is to be
desired above honey and the honey-comb." [1013] For how can it be other than ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter xi how great are the.htm

Comb (3 Occurrences)
... chaser. 7. (n.) The notched scale of a wire micrometer. 8. (n.) The collector
of an electrical machine, usually resembling a comb. 9 ...
/c/comb.htm - 8k

Honey-comb (9 Occurrences)
Honey-comb. Honeycomb, Honey-comb. Honeyed . Multi-Version Concordance
Honey-comb (9 Occurrences). Luke 24:42 And they ...
/h/honey-comb.htm - 8k

Columns (17 Occurrences)

/c/columns.htm - 11k

Combat (5 Occurrences)

/c/combat.htm - 8k

Honeycomb (9 Occurrences)

/h/honeycomb.htm - 9k

Jarah (1 Occurrence)
... ja'-ra (ya`rah, "honey-comb" (?)) A descendant of King Saul (1 Chronicles 9:42);
but the Septuagint's Codices Vaticanus and Alexandrinus, have Iada = ya`dah ...
/j/jarah.htm - 7k

Lotheth (3 Occurrences)
... bread. (WBS). Proverbs 27:7 The full soul lotheth a honey-comb; but to the
hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet. (WBS). Ezekiel ...
/l/lotheth.htm - 7k

Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
and sweeter than honey, Even liquid honey of the comb. (YLT). ...
/l/liquid.htm - 11k

Wax (32 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A fatty, solid substance, produced by bees, and employed by them in
the construction of their comb; -- usually called beeswax. ...
/w/wax.htm - 18k

Desirable (49 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, Yea, than much fine gold;
and sweeter than honey, Even liquid honey of the comb. (YLT NAS). ...
/d/desirable.htm - 21k

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