Topical Bible: The Hair: Growth of

◄ The Hair: Growth of ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, hair is often mentioned as a symbol of strength, beauty, and divine blessing. The growth of hair is a natural process that is referenced in various passages, reflecting cultural, spiritual, and personal significance.

Symbol of Strength and Vow

One of the most notable references to hair growth in the Bible is found in the account of Samson. In Judges 16:17, Samson reveals to Delilah that his strength is tied to his uncut hair, a sign of his Nazirite vow: "No razor has ever come upon my head, because I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If I am shaved, my strength will leave me, and I will become as weak as any other man." The growth of Samson's hair is directly linked to his God-given strength, and after it is cut, his power diminishes. However, Judges 16:22 notes, "But the hair of his head began to grow back after it had been shaved," symbolizing the potential for restoration and divine intervention.

Cultural and Spiritual Significance

In ancient Israelite culture, hair was often associated with personal identity and social status. The growth and grooming of hair could signify one's dedication to God or adherence to cultural norms. For instance, the Nazirite vow, as outlined in Numbers 6:5, required individuals to let their hair grow long as a sign of their consecration to the Lord: "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."

Divine Knowledge and Care

The growth of hair is also used metaphorically to express God's intimate knowledge and care for His creation. In Matthew 10:30, Jesus reassures His disciples of God's attention to detail: "And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered." This passage highlights the idea that God is aware of every aspect of our lives, down to the smallest detail, including the growth of our hair.

Adornment and Humility

Hair is also mentioned in the context of adornment and humility. In 1 Corinthians 11:15, Paul discusses the natural growth of hair as a covering and a glory for women: "but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering." This passage reflects the cultural norms of the time, where hair was seen as a natural adornment and a sign of femininity.

Conversely, the shaving of hair could symbolize mourning or humility. In Job 1:20, after hearing of his great losses, Job "arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground and worshiped." The act of shaving his head was a sign of deep sorrow and submission to God's will.

Conclusion

The growth of hair in the Bible carries rich symbolic meaning, reflecting themes of strength, consecration, divine care, and cultural identity. Through various narratives and teachings, hair serves as a metaphor for spiritual truths and human experiences.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 16:22
However, the hair of his head began to grow again after he was shaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of Dyeing the Hair.
... any undrugged moisture, lays up a store of harm for the head; while the sun's warmth,
too, so desirable for imparting to the hair at once growth and dryness ...
/.../tertullian/on the apparel of women/chapter vi of dyeing the hair.htm

Whether Whatever was Materially in a Man's Members Will all Rise ...
... Augustine, however, is speaking of the cutting of hair that was a part causing growth
of the body; wherefore it must needs rise again, not however as regards ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether whatever was materially in.htm

Strength Profaned and Lost
... The growth of his hair is not there mentioned as a mere natural fact, nor
with the superstitious notion that his hair made him strong. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/strength profaned and lost.htm

Growth in Grace
... Time was when the least sin grieved us, as the least hair makes the eye weep ... is clearer,
our spark of love is increased into a flame; there is a sign of growth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 growth in grace.htm

Death Entirely Separates the Soul from the Body.
... To the same purport also Democritus remarks on the growth for a considerable
while of the human nails and hair in the grave. Now ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter li death entirely separates the.htm

Women Adorned with Good Work
... The adorning of Christian women is not to be in hair or pearls or raiment ... parcel
of the Christian life, equally indispensable to the health and growth of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/working for god/xvii women adorned with good.htm

A Brief Examination of the Construction of Our Bodies from a ...
... and is made tense with the sinew, and extended with the surface, and passes into
the nails, and is fined down for the growth of the hair, by correspondent ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xxx a brief examination of.htm

Does any Man at all Possessed of Judgment, Believe that Hairs and ...
... that some gods are fullers, some barbers; the former to cleanse the sacred garments,
the latter to thin their locks when matted with a thick growth of hair. ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/15 does any man at.htm

Synodical Letter of the Council of Gangra.
... apparel, wearing men's clothes, thinking to be justified because of these; while
many of them, under a pretext of piety, cut off the growth of hair, which is ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/synodical letter of the council.htm

A Little Sermon to School-Girls.
... she very shortly learned that among cultivated and refined people hair-brushes are ...
palm, from within outward." The culture of the heart and the growth of the ...
/.../a little sermon to school-girls.htm