Topical Bible: The Hair: Plucked out in Extreme Grief

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In the cultural and religious context of the Bible, hair holds significant symbolic meaning, often representing strength, beauty, and consecration to God. However, the act of plucking out one's hair is depicted as a profound expression of extreme grief, distress, or repentance. This practice is mentioned in several biblical passages, illustrating the depth of sorrow experienced by individuals in times of great turmoil.

One of the most notable instances of hair being plucked out in extreme grief is found in the book of Ezra. Ezra, a scribe and priest, was deeply troubled by the unfaithfulness of the Israelites who had intermarried with pagan nations, contrary to God's commandments. In response to this grievous sin, Ezra expresses his anguish by tearing his garments and pulling out hair from his head and beard. Ezra 9:3 states, "When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down in horror."

This act of pulling out hair is a physical manifestation of Ezra's internal turmoil and a public demonstration of his lamentation over the people's disobedience. It serves as a powerful symbol of repentance and a call to return to covenant faithfulness.

The practice of plucking out hair in times of distress is also reflected in the broader ancient Near Eastern customs, where it was not uncommon for individuals to express mourning or penitence through self-affliction. Such actions were intended to convey the intensity of one's emotional state and to seek divine intervention or forgiveness.

In the prophetic literature, the imagery of hair being plucked out is used metaphorically to describe the suffering and humiliation that would befall the people of Israel due to their sins. For example, in Isaiah 50:6 , the Suffering Servant, a prophetic figure, declares, "I offered My back to those who beat Me, My cheeks to those who tore out My beard; I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting." This passage foreshadows the ultimate suffering and humiliation endured by the Messiah, who willingly submits to such treatment as part of His redemptive mission.

The act of plucking out hair in extreme grief underscores the gravity of sin and the depth of sorrow that accompanies separation from God. It serves as a vivid reminder of the need for repentance and the hope of restoration through divine grace. Throughout the biblical narrative, such expressions of grief are met with God's compassion and the promise of renewal for those who turn back to Him with contrite hearts.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezra 9:3
And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonished.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Voluntary Suffering
... tribulations in the present life, but they shall be delivered out of them all ... His
back to the smiters, His cheeks to them that plucked off the hair, He hid ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xviii voluntary suffering.htm

Prolonged Agony
... Then Paul, Bishop of Crateia, plucked up courage, and cried ... with equal indifference
on the white hair of aged ... They tore the valuable earrings out of the ears of ...
/.../chapter l prolonged agony.htm

Immeasurable Love
... the giving of his back to the smiters and his cheeks to those that plucked off the
hair. ... me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/immeasurable love.htm

Life of Bunyan
... forced open the creature's mouth, and plucked out the sting ... His intellectual power
comes chiefly out in that ... and even of that refining and hair-splitting which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hamilton/life of bunyan/life of bunyan.htm

Even Now
... Seek them out. ... Plucked by his hand from the fire and flood, and, mayhap, from battle;
delivered ... John's vision of the white hair was to show that Christ is the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/even now.htm

A Few Sighs from Hell;
... When the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the ... Is there no better merchandise
to trade in than what comes from hell, or out of the bowels of the earth? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a few sighs from hell.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... I forced open her mouth with my stick, and plucked her sting ... of my heart, as water
would bubble out of a ... after carnal things by some, and what grief in others ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... expresses pain at having, by his vicious conduct, occasioned grief to his ... to perish,
one in white shining raiment descended, and plucked him out of that ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
... with that there came words and fire out of the mountain under which poor Christian
stood, that made the hair of his ... (And with that he plucked it out of his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

A Canticle of Love
... grew worse, and on July 30 she received Extreme Unction ... to discern the Spirit of
God speaking His praises out of the ... careful not to let any sign of grief be seen ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm