The division of hair into three parts is a practice that finds its roots in various cultural and religious traditions, including those mentioned in the Bible. While the Bible does not explicitly command or describe the division of hair into three parts as a religious practice, hair and its treatment hold significant symbolic meaning in several biblical passages.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Nazirite Vow: One of the most notable references to hair in the Bible is the Nazirite vow, as described in Numbers 6. Nazirites were individuals who took a vow of consecration to God, which included abstaining from cutting their hair. While the division of hair into three parts is not explicitly mentioned, the uncut hair symbolized their dedication and separation unto the Lord. "All the days of his vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. He must be holy until the time of his consecration to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long" (Numbers 6:5).

2. Samson's Strength: The account of Samson, a Nazirite from birth, further emphasizes the symbolic power of hair. Samson's strength was directly linked to his uncut hair, a sign of his covenant with God. When Delilah had his hair cut, he lost his strength, illustrating the spiritual significance of his hair as a symbol of divine empowerment and commitment (Judges 16:17-19).

3. Cultural Practices: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, hair often held symbolic meanings related to identity, status, and religious devotion. While the Bible does not specifically mention dividing hair into three parts, such practices could have been part of broader cultural expressions of identity and religious observance.

4. Ezekiel's Prophetic Act: In Ezekiel 5, the prophet Ezekiel is commanded by God to shave his head and beard and divide the hair into three parts as a symbolic act representing the fate of Jerusalem. "You are to burn up a third of it with fire inside the city when the days of the siege have ended; you are to take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city; and you are to scatter a third to the wind. For I will unleash a sword behind them" (Ezekiel 5:2). This division of hair into three parts served as a prophetic sign of judgment and the dispersion of the people.

Theological Implications

The division of hair into three parts, while not a prescribed biblical practice, can be seen as a metaphor for the division of judgment, consecration, and identity. In the context of Ezekiel's prophecy, it symbolizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment and the varied fates awaiting the people of Jerusalem. In the broader biblical narrative, hair often represents strength, dedication, and the visible sign of one's covenant relationship with God.

Cultural and Historical Context

Understanding the cultural and historical context of hair practices in biblical times can provide insight into the symbolic meanings attributed to hair. In many ancient cultures, hair was a significant aspect of personal and communal identity, often associated with religious rites and social status. The division of hair into parts, while not explicitly detailed in the Bible, may reflect these broader cultural practices and their integration into the religious life of the Israelites.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention the division of hair into three parts as a religious practice, the symbolic use of hair in biblical narratives underscores themes of consecration, judgment, and identity. The division of hair in Ezekiel's prophecy serves as a powerful metaphor for the fate of Jerusalem, illustrating the profound spiritual and theological implications of such symbolic acts.