In biblical times, head-dresses were significant cultural and religious symbols, often reflecting one's social status, gender, and religious devotion. The Bible provides various references to head-dresses, illustrating their importance in ancient Near Eastern societies.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, head-dresses are mentioned in several contexts, often associated with priests, royalty, and women. The Hebrew word "tsaniph" is commonly used to describe a turban or head-wrap. For instance, in Exodus 28:4, the priestly garments include a turban: "These are the garments they are to make: a breastpiece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments for your brother Aaron and his sons, so that they may serve Me as priests."

The high priest's turban was particularly significant, as it bore a gold plate inscribed with "Holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36-38). This head-dress symbolized the consecration and holiness required of those serving in the tabernacle.

In Isaiah 3:18-23, the prophet Isaiah describes the judgment upon the daughters of Zion, listing various adornments, including head-dresses: "In that day the Lord will take away the finery of their anklets and headbands and crescents, their pendants, bracelets, and veils, their headdresses, ankle chains, and sashes, their perfume bottles and charms." This passage highlights the cultural importance of head-dresses as part of women's attire and their association with beauty and status.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, head coverings are addressed primarily in the context of worship and propriety. In 1 Corinthians 11:4-7, the Apostle Paul discusses the practice of head coverings for men and women during prayer and prophecy: "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as if her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head."

Paul's instructions reflect the cultural norms of the time, where head coverings for women were a sign of modesty and respect, while men were expected to uncover their heads as a sign of honor to God. The passage underscores the theological principle of headship and the created order, as Paul relates the practice to the relationship between Christ and the church.

Cultural and Religious Significance

Head-dresses in biblical times were not merely fashion statements but carried deep cultural and religious significance. For priests, they symbolized holiness and dedication to God's service. For women, head coverings were expressions of modesty, respect, and adherence to social norms. The biblical references to head-dresses provide insight into the values and beliefs of ancient societies, as well as the theological principles that guided the lives of God's people.

Throughout Scripture, head-dresses serve as tangible expressions of identity, devotion, and the divine order established by God.6287b. peer -- headdress, turban
... Word Origin from paar Definition headdress, turban NASB Word Usage decorated (1),
garland (2), headdresses (1), turban (1), turbans (2). 6287a, 6287b. ...
/hebrew/6287b.htm - 5k

Against Embellishing the Body.
... Head-dresses and varieties of head-dresses, and elaborate braidings, and infinite
modes of dressing the hair, and costly specimens of mirrors, in which they ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter ii against embellishing the body.htm

With whom we are to Associate.
... And male and female assistants at the toilet are employed about the ladies"some
for the mirrors, some for the head-dresses, others for the combs. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv with whom we are.htm

Preaching of the Apostle Thadd??us at Edessa; Copy of Five Letters ...
... The Apostle Thadd??us baptizes a manufacturer of silk head-dresses, called Att??us,
consecrates him, appoints him to minister at Edessa, and leaves him with ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/viii preaching of the apostle.htm

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
... The engraver has dressed all his actors in the costume of the time of George the
Third; the women with hooped petticoats and high head dresses; clergymen with ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a book for boys and.htm

Among the People, and with the Pharisees
... the fashionable lady was similarly adorned, adding to the bracelets finger-rings,
ankle-rings, nose-rings, ear-rings, gorgeous head-dresses, necklaces, chains ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 13 among the people.htm

Letter ccxi. (AD 423. )
... behaviour rather than by your attire. Let your head-dresses not be so thin
as to let the nets below them be seen. Let your hair be worn ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter ccxi a d 423.htm

On Dress
... may we not as well buy fashionable things as unfashionable?" I answer, Not if they
give you a bold, immodest look, as those huge hats, bonnets, head-dresses do ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 88 on dress.htm

The Political Constitution of Egypt
... the head of a jerboa or a hare, which we misname the cucupha-headed sceptre.* He
put on the many-coloured diadems of the gods, the head-dresses covered with ...
/.../chapter ithe political constitution of.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7. <. ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Head-dresses (11 Occurrences)
Head-dresses. Headdresses, Head-dresses. Headed . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Headdresses, Head-dresses. Headed . Reference Bible.
/h/head-dresses.htm - 9k

Headdresses (2 Occurrences)
...Headdresses (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 3:20 the headdresses, the ankle chains, the
sashes, the perfume bottles, the charms, (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/headdresses.htm - 7k

Head-dress (22 Occurrences)
... Headdress, Head-dress. Headdresses . ... (BBE). Exodus 39:28 And the twisted
head-dress for Aaron, and beautiful head-dresses of linen, and linen trousers, ( ...
/h/head-dress.htm - 14k

Undergarments (6 Occurrences)
... water. (See NAS NIV). Isaiah 3:23 The looking-glasses, and the fair linen,
and the high head-dresses, and the veils. (See NAS). Ezekiel ...
/u/undergarments.htm - 8k

Trousers (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 39:28 And the twisted head-dress for Aaron, and beautiful head-dresses
of linen, and linen trousers, (BBE DBY YLT). Leviticus ...
/t/trousers.htm - 8k

Headed (7 Occurrences)

/h/headed.htm - 8k

Looking-glasses (2 Occurrences)
... (BBE WBS YLT). Isaiah 3:23 The looking-glasses, and the fair linen, and the high
head-dresses, and the veils. (BBE). Lookingglasses, Looking-glasses. Lookout ...
/l/looking-glasses.htm - 7k

Girdles (13 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV). Isaiah 3:20 the head-dresses, and the stepping chains,
and the girdles, and the scent-boxes, and the amulets; (DBY). ...
/g/girdles.htm - 10k

Thrones (19 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:18 Say to the king and to the queen mother, Humble yourselves, sit down;
for your headdresses have come down, even the crown of your glory. ...
/t/thrones.htm - 13k

Bottles (12 Occurrences)
... DBY WBS YLT). Isaiah 3:20 the headdresses, the ankle chains, the sashes,
the perfume bottles, the charms, (WEB NIV). Jeremiah 48:12 ...
/b/bottles.htm - 9k

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