In biblical times, the practice of braiding hair is mentioned in the context of cultural customs and spiritual teachings. The act of braiding, while a common and practical method of styling hair, is also addressed in the Scriptures with regard to modesty and the inner disposition of a person.

Biblical References:

1. 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." In this passage, the Apostle Paul instructs women in the early church to focus on inner beauty and godliness rather than external adornments. The mention of "braided hair" is symbolic of the cultural practices of the time, where elaborate hairstyles were often associated with wealth and social status. Paul emphasizes modesty and the importance of a heart devoted to God over outward appearances.

2. 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." Here, Peter echoes a similar sentiment to that of Paul, urging women to prioritize their spiritual character over physical appearance. The reference to "braided hair" serves as a cultural marker of the time, highlighting the contrast between temporary, external beauty and the enduring beauty of a godly spirit.

Cultural Context:

In the Greco-Roman world, elaborate hairstyles, including braids, were often a sign of wealth and social standing. Women of higher status would spend considerable time and resources on their appearance, including intricate braiding, to display their affluence and position. This cultural backdrop provides insight into why the New Testament writers addressed the issue of braided hair, as it was a visible expression of societal values that could detract from the Christian emphasis on humility and inner virtue.

Theological Implications:

The biblical references to braided hair are not a condemnation of the practice itself but rather a call to prioritize spiritual values over societal norms. The emphasis is on cultivating a heart that reflects Christ-like qualities, such as modesty, self-control, and a gentle spirit. These passages encourage believers to evaluate their motivations and to ensure that their outward appearance aligns with their commitment to living a life that honors God.

Practical Application:

For contemporary Christians, the teachings on braided hair serve as a reminder to focus on the development of inner character and to avoid becoming overly concerned with external appearances. While personal grooming and style are not inherently wrong, they should not overshadow the pursuit of spiritual growth and the demonstration of Christ's love and humility in one's life.(imp. &. p. p.) of Braid.BRAIDED; BRAIDING

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 passages where the apostles emphasized the superiority of good works and spiritual grace over outward adornment.

See EMBROIDERY.

4117. plegma -- a braiding
... a braiding. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: plegma Phonetic Spelling:
(pleg'-mah) Short Definition: braided hair, anything interwoven Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4117.htm - 6k8278. 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

Women Adorned with Good Work
... XVII Women adorned with Good Work. Let women adorn themselves; not with braided
hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but through good works. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvii women adorned with good.htm

Changed Conditions
... been less severely enforced, we found the queue replaced by the most extraordinary
head-dress; the hair, varying in length, was sometimes braided and sometimes ...
/.../the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xx changed conditions.htm

The Talking Book
... The law of God should be so dear to us that it should be bound about the
most vital organ of our being; braided about our heart. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the talking book.htm

Temptation
... But if, again, you met, as you may meet in the tropics, a lovely little coral snake,
braided with red and white, its mouth so small that it seems impossible ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon vii temptation.htm

The Talking Book
... The law of God should be so dear to us, that is should be bound about the
most vital organ of our being, braided about our heart. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the talking book.htm

'The Bridal of the Earth and Sky'
... Let me dwell upon these two couples briefly. 'Mercy and Truth are met together'
means this, that these two qualities are found braided and linked inseparably ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the bridal of the earth.htm

Anathema and Grace
... May we not see, in these terrible and tender thoughts thus inextricably intertwined
and braided together, a revelation of the true nature both of the terror ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/anathema and grace.htm

The Sixth Passage of Scripture Quoted by victor.
... On no other principle would they be thus admonished with respect to self-adornment.
"Not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but which ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 29 xviii the sixth passage.htm

The Burden-Bearing God
... And that is the tone of the Old Testament throughout, for you will always find braided
together in the closest vital unity the representation of these two ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the burden-bearing god.htm

Those for whom Christ Prayed --"Sanctify Them. "
... Suddenly an officer in gold-braided cap and blue uniform appeared, and cried out
with an authoritative voice and a look of command, "All ashore who are going ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter iii those for whom.htm

Braided (10 Occurrences)
... (imp. &. pp) of Braid. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRAIDED; BRAIDING. ... See
EMBROIDERY. Multi-Version Concordance Braided (10 Occurrences). ...
/b/braided.htm - 9k

Rope (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A large, stout cord, usually one not less than
an inch in circumference, made of strands twisted or braided together. ...
/r/rope.htm - 11k

Filigree (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided
work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings. (See NAS). ...
/f/filigree.htm - 9k

Cords (80 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided
work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings. ...
/c/cords.htm - 30k

Settings (19 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords of braided
work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings. ...
/s/settings.htm - 12k

Ends (108 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS). Exodus 28:24 You shall put the two braided
chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. ...
/e/ends.htm - 36k

Chains (100 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords
of braided work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings. ...
/c/chains.htm - 39k

Attach (12 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold; you shall make them like cords
of braided work: and you shall put the braided chains on the settings. ...
/a/attach.htm - 11k

Breastplate (45 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). Exodus 28:22 You shall make on the breastplate chains
like cords, of braided work of pure gold. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). ...
/b/breastplate.htm - 24k

Edges (28 Occurrences)
... breastplate. (See RSV). Exodus 28:24 You shall put the two braided chains of gold
in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. (See RSV). ...
/e/edges.htm - 14k

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

Should Christian women wear makeup or jewelry? | GotQuestions.org

Why did blood and water come out of Jesus' side when He was pierced? | GotQuestions.org

Braided: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus