Headband
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In biblical times, headbands were part of the attire worn by various individuals, often serving both practical and symbolic purposes. The use of headbands is mentioned in several contexts within the Scriptures, reflecting cultural practices and religious significance.

Cultural and Practical Use

Headbands were commonly used in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including among the Israelites, as a means of securing the hair and as a decorative accessory. They were often made from cloth or leather and could be adorned with jewels or embroidery. The headband served to keep the hair in place, especially in hot and arid climates, and could also signify a person's social status or role.

Religious and Symbolic Significance

In the Bible, headbands are sometimes associated with religious attire, particularly in the context of priestly garments. For example, the high priest's attire included a headpiece known as the "turban," which was adorned with a gold plate inscribed with "Holy to the LORD" (Exodus 28:36-38). While not explicitly called a headband, the turban served a similar function in terms of securing the head and signifying holiness and dedication to God.

Prophetic Imagery

The prophet Isaiah uses the imagery of headbands in a metaphorical sense to describe the pride and eventual downfall of the daughters of Zion. In Isaiah 3:18-20 , the Lord speaks of removing the finery of the daughters of Zion, including their headbands, as a judgment against their haughtiness and reliance on external adornments rather than inner righteousness.

Symbol of Humility and Mourning

In some instances, the removal of a headband or the wearing of a simple one could symbolize humility or mourning. The act of removing head adornments was a common expression of grief or repentance in ancient Israelite culture. This practice is reflected in various biblical narratives where individuals express their sorrow or penitence by altering their appearance, including the removal of headbands or other decorative items.

Conclusion

The headband, while a seemingly minor detail in biblical attire, carries with it a wealth of cultural, religious, and symbolic meanings. Its presence in Scripture highlights the importance of understanding the cultural context of biblical times and the ways in which everyday items were imbued with deeper spiritual significance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A fillet; a band for the head.

2. (n.) The band at each end of the back of a book.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
HEADBAND

hed'-band.

See DRESS.

Strong's Hebrew
7636. shabis -- a headband
... 7635, 7636. shabis. 7637 . a headband. Transliteration: shabis Phonetic
Spelling: (shaw-beece') Short Definition: headbands. Word ...
/hebrew/7636.htm - 5k

7196. qishshurim -- bands, sashes
... attire, headband. From qashar; an (ornamental) girdle (for women) -- attire, headband.
see HEBREW qashar. 7195, 7196. qishshurim. 7197 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7196.htm - 6k

Library

Keep for God his Own Property Untainted; He Will Crown it if He ...
... Look at those crowns. Inhale those odours. Why condemn you to a little chaplet,
or a twisted headband, the brow which has been destined for a diadem? ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter xv keep for god.htm

Acts of Sharbil, who was a Priest of Idols, and was Converted to ...
... chief and ruler of all the priests; and he was honoured above all his fellows, and
was clad in splendid and magnificent vestments; and a headband embossed with ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents acts of.htm

The Teaching of Add??us the Apostle.
... And Avida and Barcalba, [3008] who were chief men and rulers, and wore the royal
headband, [3009] drew near to Add??us, and asked him about the matter of Christ ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/ancient syriac documents the teaching.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. <. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Thesaurus
Headband (2 Occurrences)
... a book. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. HEADBAND. hed'-band. See DRESS.
Multi-Version Concordance Headband (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings ...
/h/headband.htm - 7k

Bandage (5 Occurrences)
... Bandage (5 Occurrences). 1 Kings 20:38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the
king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes. ...
/b/bandage.htm - 8k

Disguised (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way,
and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes. ...
/d/disguised.htm - 9k

Disguising (2 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). 1 Kings 20:38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by
the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes. (See RSV). ...
/d/disguising.htm - 7k

Head-band (2 Occurrences)
Head-band. Headband, Head-band. Headbands . Multi-Version Concordance
Head-band (2 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Headband, Head-band. Headbands . Reference
/h/head-band.htm - 7k

Waited (72 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Kings 20:38 So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by
the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes. ...
/w/waited.htm - 26k

Head (4291 Occurrences)

/h/head.htm - 24k

Recognized (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 20:41 He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king
of Israel recognized that he was of the prophets. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/recognized.htm - 17k

Hastened (48 Occurrences)
... (DBY JPS). 1 Kings 20:41 And he hasted, and took the headband away from his eyes;
and the king of israel discerned him that he was of the prophets. (See JPS). ...
/h/hastened.htm - 20k

Hurried (48 Occurrences)
... (WEB). 1 Kings 20:41 He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the
king of Israel recognized that he was of the prophets. (WEB). ...
/h/hurried.htm - 20k

Resources
How could the laws of God be written on doorframes, gates, and foreheads? | GotQuestions.org

Headband: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Headband (2 Occurrences)

1 Kings 20:38
So the prophet departed, and waited for the king by the way, and disguised himself with his headband over his eyes.
(WEB JPS ASV NIV)

1 Kings 20:41
He hurried, and took the headband away from his eyes; and the king of Israel recognized that he was of the prophets.
(WEB JPS ASV NIV)

Subtopics

Headband

Related Terms

Head-band (2 Occurrences)

Bandage (5 Occurrences)

Diadem (9 Occurrences)

Disguised (7 Occurrences)

Disguising (2 Occurrences)

Headbands (6 Occurrences)

Pulling (57 Occurrences)

Waited (72 Occurrences)

Head (4291 Occurrences)

Recognized (37 Occurrences)

Hastened (48 Occurrences)

Hurried (48 Occurrences)

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