Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the act of shaving or cutting one's hair was a significant expression of mourning and grief. This practice is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious traditions of the ancient Near East, including those of the Israelites. The Bible provides several instances where the shaving of the head is associated with sorrow, repentance, or lamentation.One of the most notable references to this practice is found in the book of Job. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), experiences profound personal loss and suffering. In response to the news of his children's death and the loss of his wealth, Job "arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped" (Job 1:20). Here, the act of shaving his head signifies Job's deep mourning and submission to God's will, even amidst his trials. The prophet Isaiah also alludes to the practice of shaving the head in times of grief. In Isaiah 15:2, the prophet describes the mourning of Moab: "Dibon goes up to its temple, to its high places to weep; Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off" . This imagery underscores the intensity of Moab's lamentation and the cultural expression of sorrow through the removal of hair. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," also references this custom. In Jeremiah 7:29, the Lord commands, "Cut off your hair and cast it away; take up a lamentation on the barren heights, for the LORD has rejected and forsaken the generation of His wrath" . Here, the act of cutting off hair is a symbolic gesture of repentance and acknowledgment of divine judgment. The practice of shaving the head in grief is not limited to the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul participates in a Nazarite vow, which involves shaving the head as part of the ritual purification process (Acts 18:18). While this instance is not directly related to mourning, it highlights the broader cultural and religious significance of hair in biblical times. The shorn head as a sign of grief is a vivid reminder of the human response to loss and the desire to express sorrow in a tangible way. It reflects a deep-seated tradition that connects the physical act of cutting hair with the emotional and spiritual experience of mourning. This practice serves as a poignant symbol of humility, repentance, and the transient nature of life, as understood within the biblical narrative. Torrey's Topical Textbook Job 1:20Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshipped, Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Psalm III. Gethsemane 1 Cor. xi. 2 The Plagues The King in Exile Paul in Jerusalem. Letter xiv. To Anastasius, Bishop of Thessalonica. Satan Considering the Saints Unbelievers Upbraided Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus. Resources What does Genesis 3:15 mean that “he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head? | GotQuestions.org What does INRI stand for? What was written on the sign nailed to the cross above Jesus' head? | GotQuestions.org Head: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Head in Grief: Sprinkled With Dust Head in Grief: The Hands Placed On Head of Criminals often Cut off Head of Enemies Slain in War, often Cut off Head of the Chief City of a Kingdom Head of the Leper Always Uncovered Head of Women Generally Covered in Public Head: (Anointed) of Joy and Prosperity Head: (Covered) of Defence and Protection Head: (Lifted Up) of Exaltation Head: (Lifted Up) of Joy and Confidence Head: (Made Bald) of Heavy Judgments Head: All the Other Members Necessary To Head: Bowed Down in Worshipping God Head: Bowed Down: As a Token of Respect Head: Derision Expressed by Shaking Head: Liable to Internal Disease Head: Nazarites Forbidden to Shave Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Crown Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Face Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Forehead Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Hair Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Scalp Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Skull Head: Parts of Mentioned: The Temples Head: Priests Forbidden to Shave Head: Put for the Whole Person Head: Shaven when Vows Were Taken Head: The Body Supported and Supplied By Head: The Jews Censured for Swearing By Head: The Uppermost and Chief Member of the Body Head: when Hoary With Age to be Respected Related Terms |
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