The term "plaited" refers to the act of braiding or intertwining strands, typically of hair or fabric. In biblical contexts, plaiting is often associated with the adornment of hair, and it carries both cultural and spiritual connotations.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Peter 3:3-4 : "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as braided hair or gold jewelry or fine clothes, but from the inner disposition of your heart, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in God’s sight." In this passage, the Apostle Peter advises Christian women to focus on inner beauty rather than external adornments like plaited hair. The emphasis is on cultivating a spirit that is pleasing to God, rather than relying on physical appearance.

2. 1 Timothy 2:9 : "Likewise, I want the women to adorn themselves with respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes." Here, the Apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment to that found in 1 Peter, urging women to prioritize modesty and self-control over elaborate hairstyles and luxurious accessories. The instruction is part of a broader teaching on appropriate conduct and appearance within the Christian community.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern and Greco-Roman worlds, plaited hair was often a sign of wealth and status. Women of higher social standing would adorn their hair with intricate braids, sometimes incorporating gold, pearls, and other precious materials. Such styles were not only a display of beauty but also a demonstration of one's social position and resources.

Spiritual Implications:

The biblical admonitions against focusing on plaited hair and other forms of external adornment are not outright prohibitions but rather calls to prioritize spiritual virtues over physical appearance. The emphasis is on cultivating a heart that reflects Christ-like qualities, such as humility, gentleness, and a quiet spirit. These virtues are considered of greater value in the eyes of God than any outward display of beauty or wealth.

Historical Interpretations:

Throughout church history, these passages have been interpreted in various ways. Some Christian traditions have taken a more literal approach, discouraging elaborate hairstyles and jewelry altogether. Others have understood these instructions as emphasizing the importance of inner character over external appearance, without necessarily forbidding the use of adornments.

Practical Application:

For contemporary Christians, the teachings on plaited hair serve as a reminder to evaluate one's priorities and values. While personal grooming and appearance are not inherently wrong, they should not overshadow the development of a godly character. Believers are encouraged to reflect on how their outward appearance aligns with their inner spiritual life and to ensure that their focus remains on what is truly precious in God's sight.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Plait.

2. (a.) Folded; doubled over; braided; figuratively, involved; intricate; artful.

4553. sargane -- a plaited rope, hence a hamper, basket
... a plaited rope, hence a hamper, basket. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
sargane Phonetic Spelling: (sar-gan'-ay) Short Definition: a basket ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4553.htm - 6k

4711. spuris -- a (large, flexible) basket (for carrying ...
... for carrying provisions). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: spuris
Phonetic Spelling: (spoo-rece') Short Definition: a plaited basket Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4711.htm - 6k

4735. stephanos -- that which surrounds, ie a crown
... [4735 () is used of a plaited wreath ("crown"), like the one made of thorns placed
on the head of Christ at His trial (Mt 27:29, Mk 15:17; Jn 19:2,5).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4735.htm - 7k

8278. serad -- perhaps plaited or braided work
... 8277, 8278. serad. 8279 . perhaps plaited or braided work. Transliteration:
serad Phonetic Spelling: (ser-awd') Short Definition: woven. ...
/hebrew/8278.htm - 6k

7660. shabats -- probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work
... 7659, 7660. shabats. 7661 . probably to weave in checker (or plaited) work.
Transliteration: shabats Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-bats') Short Definition: set. ...
/hebrew/7660.htm - 6k

4865. mishbetsah -- checkered or plaited work
... 4864, 4865. mishbetsah. 4866 . checkered or plaited work. Transliteration:
mishbetsah Phonetic Spelling: (mish-bets-aw') Short Definition: filigree. ...
/hebrew/4865.htm - 6k

As in a Race Saw I the Disputers, the Children of Strife, [Trying] ...
... And as he plaited for Him by silent men speechless thorns that cry out, thorns from
the mind has he plaited [now] by the voice, as hymns; and concealed the ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii as in a.htm

The Second Difference Between Meditation and Contemplation.
... Hence it is that the heavenly lover so prizes the being seen by his well-beloved
with one of her eyes, and that her hair is so well plaited that it seems to be ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v the second difference.htm

And not Without Just Cause a Doubt is Raised...
... woman is seldom met with, who, in the very obedience of married life, hath no thought
save how to please God, by adorning herself, not with plaited hair, or ...
/.../augustine/on the good of marriage/section 14 and not without.htm

The General Service to Two or Many Martyrs.
... gods, ye, O blessed and greatly renowned martyrs, have put to shame with your wisdom,
and having suffered enduringly and lawfully, ye have plaited the crowns ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xv the general service.htm

Jesus Before Pilate.
... And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and arrayed
Him in a purple garment; and they came unto Him, and said, Hail, King of the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/xix jesus before pilate.htm

The Crowning with Thorns.
... The crown of thorns was made of three branches plaited together, the greatest part
of the thorns being purposely turned inwards so as to pierce our Lord's head ...
/.../chapter xxvi the crowning with.htm

Pilate and his Wife.
... pale. Her hair was plaited and slightly ornamented, but partly covered
by a long veil which fell gracefully over her shoulders. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xix pilate and his.htm

"The Lord is Risen"
... In this glorified Being they beheld the prisoner whom they had seen in the judgment
hall, the one for whom they had plaited a crown of thorns. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 81 the lord is.htm

'Concerning the Crown'
... twined for revellers; pine-shoots or olive branches for the victors in the games;
while the laurel was 'the meed of mighty conquerors'; and plaited oak leaves ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/concerning the crown.htm

The Diverse Forms of Spiritual Sickness.
... For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep." [5331]
Hear Him in these words, knitting a band and making it plaited of different sins ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/24 the diverse forms of.htm

Plaited (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plaited (12 Occurrences). ... Mark 15:17 And they clothe him
with purple, and bind round on him a crown of thorns which they had plaited. ...
/p/plaited.htm - 9k

Plaiting (3 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:29 and having plaited him a crown out of thorns they put 'it' on his
head, and a reed in his right hand, and having kneeled before him, they were ...
/p/plaiting.htm - 8k

Breastpiece (21 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 28:22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate plaited
chains of wreathen work of pure gold. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/b/breastpiece.htm - 12k

Basket (40 Occurrences)
... sargane, "basket of plaited cords"). ... (3) The sargane (2 Corinthians 11:33) means
anything plaited, or sometimes more specifically a fish-basket. ...
/b/basket.htm - 27k

Knelt (20 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:29 and having plaited him a crown out of thorns they put 'it' on his
head, and a reed in his right hand, and having kneeled before him, they were ...
/k/knelt.htm - 12k

Upset (9 Occurrences)
... things, (See NIV). John 2:15 So He plaited a whip of rushes, and drove
all--both sheep and bullocks--out of the Temple. The small coin ...
/u/upset.htm - 9k

Overturned (41 Occurrences)
... overturned. (BBE). John 2:15 So He plaited a whip of rushes, and drove
all--both sheep and bullocks--out of the Temple. The small ...
/o/overturned.htm - 18k

Locks (29 Occurrences)
... employs the word machlaphah when speaking of the "seven locks" of Samson (Judges
16:13, 19), which really represent the plaited (etymologically, "interwoven ...
/l/locks.htm - 18k

Fold (23 Occurrences)
... 5. (vi) To become folded, plaited, or doubled; to close over another of the same
kind; to double together; as, the leaves of the door fold. ...
/f/fold.htm - 17k

Flute (16 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A similar channel or groove made in wood or other material, esp. in plaited
cloth, as in a lady's ruffle. 4. (n.) A long French breakfast roll. ...
/f/flute.htm - 13k

Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.org

Plaited: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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