Plaiting, in the context of biblical references, primarily pertains to the practice of braiding or interweaving hair. This term is mentioned in the New Testament, specifically in the context of discussions about modesty and adornment for women. The cultural and historical backdrop of plaiting in biblical times provides insight into the societal norms and expectations regarding personal appearance and the expression of inner virtues.

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 addresses Christian women, urging them to prioritize inner beauty over external adornment. The mention of "braided hair" or "plaiting" serves as a representative example of the elaborate hairstyles that were popular in Greco-Roman culture, often associated with wealth and social status.

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, emphasizing modesty and self-control over extravagant displays of wealth or beauty. The reference to "braided hair" highlights the cultural practices of the time, where intricate hairstyles were often used to draw attention and convey social standing.

Cultural Context:

In the ancient world, particularly within the Roman Empire, hairstyles were a significant aspect of a woman's appearance. Elaborate plaiting and the use of adornments such as gold and pearls were common among women of higher social classes. These styles were not merely personal choices but were often reflective of one's status and identity within society. The early Christian teachings, as seen in the epistles of Peter and Paul, sought to redirect focus from external appearances to the cultivation of inner virtues, aligning with the broader biblical theme of humility and godliness.

Theological Implications:

The biblical admonitions against plaiting and similar forms of adornment are not outright prohibitions but rather cautionary guidelines aimed at fostering a community characterized by humility and spiritual depth. The emphasis on inner beauty over external appearance aligns with the Christian doctrine that values the heart's condition over superficial displays. This teaching encourages believers to reflect Christ-like qualities, such as gentleness and a quiet spirit, which are deemed precious in the sight of God.

Practical Application:

For contemporary Christians, the passages concerning plaiting serve as a reminder to evaluate personal motivations and priorities in matters of appearance and lifestyle. While cultural expressions of beauty and fashion may vary, the underlying principle remains: to seek a life that honors God through modesty, self-control, and the cultivation of inner virtues. This perspective encourages believers to focus on their spiritual growth and the development of character traits that reflect their faith and commitment to Christ.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Plait.PLAITING

plat'-ing, plat'-ing (from the Old French, pleit, which is from the Latin plicatum, "fold"): An interweaving, a braiding, a knot; an elaborate gathering of the hair into knots; emploke, "outward adorning of plaiting the hair" (1 Peter 3:3). Compare "platted" (crown of thorns) (Matthew 27:29 parallel Mark 15:17 John 19:2).

See BRAIDED, BRAIDING.

1708. emploke -- (elaborate) braiding (of the hair)
... of the hair). Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: emploke Phonetic Spelling:
(em-plok-ay') Short Definition: a plaiting, braiding Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1708.htm - 6k3523. kabir -- (something woven) perhaps a quilt or net
... pillow. From kabar in the original sense of plaiting; a matrass (of intertwined
materials) -- pillow. see HEBREW kabar. 3522, 3523. kabir. 3524 . ...
/hebrew/3523.htm - 6k

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... For meretricious plaiting of the hair, and putting it up in tresses, contribute
to make them look ugly, cutting the hair and plucking off it those treacherous ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

The Flight into Egypt and St. John the Baptist in the Desert
... I saw St. Joseph plaiting long strips of yellow, brown, and green bark
to make panels for screens or for walls and ceilings. He ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xvi the flight into egypt.htm

Modern Revivals
... Christians sought not the "outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of
wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but . . . ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 27 modern revivals.htm

Modern Revivals.
... aside. Christians sought not the "outward adorning of plaiting the hair,
and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but ... ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /27 modern revivals.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... 'How doth the devil garnish himself, and the people are carried away with
vanity"women plaiting their hair"men and women powdering it, making their backs ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm

Second Instruction.
... To those about to be illuminated; and concerning women who adorn themselves with
plaiting of hair, and gold, and concerning those who have used omens, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/second instruction.htm

There was Doubt in the Councils of the Gods How that Unyielding ...
... having glided down from the peaks of heaven after the very venerable meetings of
the gods, cropping the tails of horses, [4348] plaiting pliant halters ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/11 there was doubt in.htm

Whether the Adornment of Women is Devoid of Mortal Sin?
... women is contrary to a precept of the Divine law; for it is written (1:Pet.3:3):
"Whose," namely women's, "adorning, let it not be the outward plaiting of the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the adornment of women.htm

Exhortations to Christians as they are Children of God
... The children of God must be sober in their attire. Whose adorning, let it not be
that outward adorning of plaiting the hair and of wearing of gold . . . ...
/.../20 exhortations to christians as.htm

A Casket of Jewels
... are all keen to display the glories of the dolls' house, and all anxious to sing
their action songs, show their plasticine modelling, paper-plaiting, and fancy ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xxiii a casket of.htm

Plaiting (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Plait. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
PLAITING. ... Multi-Version Concordance Plaiting (3 Occurrences). ...
/p/plaiting.htm - 8k

Plaited (12 Occurrences)

/p/plaited.htm - 9k

Jewelry (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing--one of plaiting
the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses. (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/j/jewelry.htm - 11k

Dresses (4 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing--one of plaiting
the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses. (WEY NAS). ...
/d/dresses.htm - 7k

Plaits (2 Occurrences)

/p/plaits.htm - 6k

Braided (10 Occurrences)
... brad'-ed, brad'-ing (to plegama, "that which is plaited," 1 Timothy 2:9; he emploke,
"a plaiting," 1 Peter 3:3): Used with reference to Christian women in two ...
/b/braided.htm - 9k

Braiding (1 Occurrence)
... brad'-ed, brad'-ing (to plegama, "that which is plaited," 1 Timothy 2:9; he emploke,
"a plaiting," 1 Peter 3:3): Used with reference to Christian women in two ...
/b/braiding.htm - 7k

Adornment (7 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward thing--one of plaiting
the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses. (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/a/adornment.htm - 8k

Merely (30 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 1 Peter 3:3 Your adornment ought not to be a merely outward
thing--one of plaiting the hair, putting on jewelry, or wearing beautiful dresses. ...
/m/merely.htm - 15k

Apparel (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair,
and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/a/apparel.htm - 24k

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