The term "uncut" in the biblical context often refers to objects or practices that have not been altered, shaped, or modified by human hands. This concept is significant in various passages of the Bible, where it is associated with purity, divine creation, and adherence to God's commandments.

Uncut Stones in Altars

One of the primary references to "uncut" in the Bible pertains to the construction of altars. In Exodus 20:25, God commands the Israelites, "If you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with cut stones; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it." . This directive emphasizes the importance of using natural, unaltered stones, symbolizing the purity and holiness required in worship. The use of uncut stones signifies that the altar is made according to God's design, free from human manipulation or pride.

Uncut Hair in Nazarite Vows

The concept of "uncut" also appears in the context of the Nazarite vow, a special commitment to God described in Numbers 6. Those who took the Nazarite vow were required to abstain from wine, avoid contact with the dead, and let their hair grow uncut for the duration of the vow. Numbers 6:5 states, "For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. He must be holy until the time of his consecration to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long." . The uncut hair served as a visible sign of the individual's dedication and separation unto the Lord, symbolizing a life set apart for divine purposes.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The use of "uncut" elements in biblical practices underscores a broader spiritual principle of maintaining purity and integrity in one's relationship with God. By adhering to God's instructions to use uncut stones or maintain uncut hair, the faithful demonstrate obedience and reverence for divine authority. These practices serve as reminders of the need to preserve the sanctity of worship and personal devotion, free from the corrupting influences of human intervention.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the use of uncut stones and the practice of letting hair grow uncut were countercultural, as many surrounding nations employed elaborate stonework in their altars and had different customs regarding hair. The biblical injunctions to use uncut materials and maintain uncut hair set the Israelites apart from their neighbors, reinforcing their identity as a people chosen and consecrated by God.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of "uncut" reflects the belief in God's sovereignty and the perfection of His creation. By using uncut stones and maintaining uncut hair, believers acknowledge that God's creation is inherently good and sufficient for His purposes. This acknowledgment calls for a humble acceptance of God's will and a rejection of human attempts to improve or alter what God has ordained.

In summary, the biblical use of "uncut" in various contexts serves as a powerful symbol of purity, obedience, and divine consecration. It highlights the importance of adhering to God's commands and maintaining a life that is set apart for His glory.1. (a.) Not cut; not separated or divided by cutting or otherwise; -- said especially of books, periodicals, and the like, when the leaves have not been separated by trimming in binding.

2. (a.) Not ground, or otherwise cut, into a certain shape; as, an uncut diamond.

823. atomos -- uncut, indivisible, (an indivisible) moment (of ...
... uncut, indivisible, (an indivisible) moment (of time). Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: atomos Phonetic Spelling: (at'-om-os) Short Definition: an ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/823.htm - 7k8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace
... 1), complete (1), completed (1), completely (1), entire (2), friendly (1), full
(4), just (1), perfect (2), prepared (1), safely (1), uncut (2), whole (5 ...
/hebrew/8003.htm - 6k

The "Sayings" of Pythagoras.
... For it lies within your reach both to nourish the body, and make the soul better.
[667] "Don't take a bite out of an uncut loaf;" (meaning,) diminish not thy ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxii the sayings of pythagoras.htm

The Folly of Image Worship and Its Dishonour to Art.
... in their folly, not seeing, nor at all considering that they are worshipping, not
gods, but the carver's art.2. For so long as the stone is uncut and the wood ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 13 the folly of.htm

Pagan Cemeteries.
... Then there are bodies protected by a circle of uncut stones; others lying at the
bottom of wells, and finally regular sarcophagi in the shape of square huts ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter vi pagan cemeteries.htm

Works Published by T. and T. Clark, Edinburgh.
... The Volumes will be handsomely bound in cloth, with red edges; but Subscribers may
have them with uncut edges, by intimating their wish with their order. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/works published by t &.htm

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... that insects were spoken of,) "having hair as the hair of women;" that is, they
were Arabs by nation, who, according to Pliny, wear their hair uncut, and in ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Unjust Steward - Dives and Lazarus - Jewish Agricultural Notes ...
... to grow a Cor. The average price of a Cor of wheat, bought uncut, amounted
to about 25 dinars, or 15s. Striking an average between ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the unjust steward.htm

Of Removing Tithes.
... And it seems that a custom to set out the tithes by the tenth row if equal, and
by the tenth hill, where the rows are unequal, leaving the binds uncut, and the ...
/.../prideaux/directions to church-wardens/8 of removing tithes.htm

John x. 14, 15
... For when thou seest some bound, others covered with filth, others with uncut hair
and clothed in rags, others perishing with hunger, and running like dogs to ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lx john x 14.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... their heads they wore yellow turbans, like coronets; their demeanor was grave and
firm; their hair, like that of women, was suffered to grow uncut; they were ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Seventh Tractate. How the Multiplicity of the Ideal-Forms came ...
... a stone is like lopping a twig from a tree, except of course that there is no hurt
done, the stone remaining a member of the earth as the twig, uncut, of the ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/seventh tractate how the multiplicity.htm

Uncut (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Not ground, or otherwise cut, into a certain shape; as, an uncut
diamond. Multi-Version Concordance Uncut (5 Occurrences). ...
/u/uncut.htm - 8k

Nazarite (8 Occurrences)
... Nazarite vow. This could only be terminated by his going up to Jerusalem to
offer up the hair which till then was to be left uncut. But ...
/n/nazarite.htm - 13k

Nazirite (10 Occurrences)
... The conditions of Naziritism entailed: (1) the strictest abstinence from wine and
from every product of the vine; (2) the keeping of the hair uncut and the ...
/n/nazirite.htm - 21k

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:5 Then firing the sticks, he let the foxes loose among the uncut grain
of the Philistines, and all the corded stems as well as the living grain and ...
/v/vine-gardens.htm - 19k

Vine (76 Occurrences)
... 5, 11, "undressed vine," the King James Version "vine undressed," margin "separation."
This may mean an unpruned vine and be a reference to the uncut locks of ...
/v/vine.htm - 46k

Untouched (8 Occurrences)
... Joshua 8:31 In the way ordered by Moses, the servant of the Lord, as it is recorded
in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones, untouched by any ...
/u/untouched.htm - 8k

Uncultured (1 Occurrence)

/u/uncultured.htm - 6k

Undamaged (1 Occurrence)

/u/undamaged.htm - 6k

Locks (29 Occurrences)
... lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerus"
(Ezekiel 8:3). (2) The word pera` signifies the uncut and disheveled ...
/l/locks.htm - 18k

Wielded (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 8:31 as Moses the servant of Yahweh commanded the children of Israel, as
it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of uncut stones, on ...
/w/wielded.htm - 8k

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