The term "hair-breadth" is used in the Bible to denote an extremely small or narrow margin, often conveying the idea of a close escape or a very fine measurement. This expression is rooted in the ancient understanding of a hair's width as one of the smallest conceivable units of measurement, symbolizing precision and the narrowest of margins.

In the context of Scripture, the concept of a hair-breadth is often associated with God's providence and the deliverance of His people from perilous situations. It underscores the belief that God is intimately involved in the lives of His followers, guiding and protecting them even in the most precarious circumstances.

One of the most illustrative uses of this concept is found in the account of Job. In Job 11:6, Zophar the Naamathite speaks to Job, saying, "and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know then that God has chosen to overlook some of your sin." While the term "hair-breadth" is not explicitly used here, the idea of God's precise and merciful judgment is implicit. The notion that God could measure sin and righteousness with such exactness reflects the broader biblical theme of His meticulous care and justice.

The idea of a hair-breadth escape is also echoed in the Psalms and other poetic books of the Bible, where the psalmists often recount narrow escapes from death or disaster, attributing their deliverance to God's intervention. For instance, in Psalm 124:7, the psalmist declares, "We have escaped like a bird from the snare of the fowler; the snare is broken, and we have escaped." Although the term "hair-breadth" is not used, the imagery of narrowly escaping a trap conveys a similar sense of divine rescue.

In the New Testament, the concept can be seen in the Apostle Paul's experiences. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Paul recounts the numerous dangers and hardships he faced, including beatings, shipwrecks, and other perils. His survival through these trials can be seen as a series of hair-breadth escapes, underscoring the theme of God's sustaining power and protection over His servants.

Theologically, the idea of a hair-breadth margin serves as a reminder of the sovereignty and precision of God. It reassures believers of His ability to deliver and preserve them, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly dire. This concept encourages faith and trust in God's perfect timing and His ability to work all things for the good of those who love Him, as stated in Romans 8:28.

In summary, while the specific term "hair-breadth" may not frequently appear in the biblical text, the concept it represents is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's meticulous care, precise judgment, and the narrow escapes He orchestrates for His people.

The Tenth Book Discusses the Unattainable and Incomprehensible
... so I have heard the sacred record laying blame upon the sons of Benjamin who did
not regard the law, but could shoot within a hair's breadth [938] , wherein ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 1 the tenth book.htm

"The Dust of the Actual"
... "=It takes the Ideal to blow a hair's-breadth off the Dust of the Actual.=". It
takes more. It takes =God=. It takes =God= to do anything anywhere. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vii the dust of.htm

Love's Triumph
... But this great Light stands steadfast in our heaven, nor moves a hair's-breadth,
nor pours a feebler ray on us, whether we look up to it from the midsummer day ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/loves triumph.htm

Preface.
... acquaint the Church of Christ with a name which it should not willingly let die,
and deepen interest in and hasten by the least hair-breadth the redemption of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/preface.htm

The Want of Power to Believe
... close as to be in actual contact with you as you are; not so entirely close but
that there is a little space, just a hand breadth or a hairbreadth, to be made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bonar/gods way of peace/chapter x the want of.htm

Palm Sunday
... Suppose Christ to humble himself in the least degree"but a hair's breadth, so to
speak"below the most exalted angels; and suppose we were to humble ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/epistle sermons vol ii/palm sunday.htm

The Builders
... In the use of the adze they were particularly proficient, and able to plane a section
of wood to within a hairbreadth of thickness by the use of this alone. ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xv the builders.htm

Pleasing Christ
... will is uppermost and exclusive in your life, and for all your professions and your
orthodoxy and your worship and your faith, not one hair's-breadth further. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/pleasing christ.htm

Samaria. Sychem.
... as it was distinguished from Judaism, and as it was an apostasy from it: although
both religions indeed departed not a hair's breadth from deceitful ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 56 samaria sychem.htm

A Loyal Vow
... And you and I are Christians just in the measure in which that coincidence of wills
is true about us, and not one hair's-breadth further, for all our ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a loyal vow.htm

Hair-breadth (1 Occurrence)
Hair-breadth. Hair, Hair-breadth. Haircloth . Multi-Version
Concordance Hair-breadth (1 Occurrence). Judges 20:16 Among ...
/h/hair-breadth.htm - 6k

Lefthanded (2 Occurrences)
... The other instance is that of the 700 selected Benjamites, who, though lefthanded,
"could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss" (Judges 20:16; of 1 ...
/l/lefthanded.htm - 8k

Sling (11 Occurrences)
... There were 700 Benjamites who were so skilled in its use that with the left hand
they "could sling stones at a hairbreadth, and not miss" (Judges 20:16; 1 ...
/s/sling.htm - 12k

Haircloth (38 Occurrences)

/h/haircloth.htm - 18k

Left-handed (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed;
everyone could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss. ...
/l/left-handed.htm - 8k

Miss (7 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed;
everyone could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss. ...
/m/miss.htm - 10k

Hair (135 Occurrences)
... left-handed men of Benjamin were able to "sling stones at a hairbreadth, and not ...
chosen men left-handed; everyone could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not ...
/h/hair.htm - 60k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... round about" (Job 16:12 f). Only by long practice could the 700 left-handed Benjamite
slingers, every one of whom could sling stones at a hair-breadth and not ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Breadth (100 Occurrences)
... Judges 20:16 Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men left-handed;
everyone could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not miss. ...
/b/breadth.htm - 40k

Army (401 Occurrences)
... able to put into the field "26,000 men that drew sword," and they had also "700
chosen men left-handed; every one could sling stones at a hair-breadth, and not ...
/a/army.htm - 76k

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