Topical Encyclopedia
Braiding, as referenced in the Bible, pertains primarily to the styling of hair and is mentioned in the context of modesty and adornment. The practice of braiding hair is noted in the New Testament, where it is discussed in relation to the outward appearance of women and their conduct.
In
1 Timothy 2:9-10 , the Apostle Paul writes, "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, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess to worship God." Here, braiding is mentioned alongside other forms of adornment such as gold and pearls, suggesting that the focus should not be on external beauty but rather on inner virtues and good deeds.
Similarly, in
1 Peter 3:3-4 , Peter advises, "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." This passage emphasizes the value of inner beauty over external appearances, encouraging women to cultivate a spirit that is pleasing to God.
The cultural context of these passages is significant. In the Greco-Roman world, elaborate hairstyles and the use of jewelry were often associated with wealth and social status. The biblical exhortations to avoid such practices were not a condemnation of braiding per se, but rather a call to prioritize spiritual virtues over materialistic displays.
In the broader biblical narrative, the emphasis on modesty and humility is consistent with the teachings of both the Old and New Testaments. The focus is on the heart and character of a person rather than their outward appearance. This perspective aligns with the biblical principle that God looks at the heart (
1 Samuel 16:7).
While braiding itself is not inherently wrong, the biblical texts caution against allowing such practices to become a source of pride or a distraction from one's spiritual life. The call is to reflect the character of Christ in all aspects of life, including how one presents oneself to the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Braid.
2. (n.) The act of making or using braids.
3. (n.) Braids, collectively; trimming.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BRAIDED; BRAIDINGbrad'-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.
SeeEMBROIDERY.
Greek
1708. emploke -- (elaborate)braiding (of the hair)... (elaborate)
braiding (of
... Word Origin from empleko Definition (elaborate)
braiding (of the hair) NASB Word Usage
braiding (1). elaborate
braiding of the hair.
...4117. plegma -- abraiding
... abraiding. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: plegma Phonetic Spelling:
(pleg'-mah) Short Definition: braided hair, anything interwoven Definition...
Library
V. ...
... Whose adorning is not outward, in thebraiding of the hair, and the wearing of gold,
or the putting on of apparel, but the hidden man of the heart, in that...
Father and Judge
... two conceptions widely apart, and sometimes has been foolish enough to pit them
against each other instead of doing as Peter does here,braiding them together...
Treatise on the Priesthood. Book vi.
... For beauty of face, elegance of movement, an affected gait and lisping voice, pencilled
eyebrows and enamelled cheeks, elaboratebraiding and dyeing of hair...
The Humanity of God
... when the rebel submits himself to law; when the son comes back to his father's
house"there is no sternness, no peevishness, no up-braiding, no pride, no...
Colossians iv. 12, 13
... these ornaments that are made of gold, but with gentleness and modesty, and the
customary robes; in place of all golden ornament andbraiding, arraying her in...
Thesaurus
Braiding (1 Occurrence)... 3. (n.) Braids, collectively; trimming. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRAIDED;
BRAIDING.
... See EMBROIDERY. Multi-Version Concordance
Braiding (1 Occurrence).
...External-braiding (1 Occurrence)
External-braiding. External, External-braiding. Extinct .
Multi-Version Concordance External-braiding (1 Occurrence)....
Braided (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. &. pp) of Braid. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. BRAIDED;BRAIDING. brad'-ed, brad'-ing (to plegama...
External (8 Occurrences)
Plaiting (3 Occurrences)
... plat'-ing, plat'-ing (from the Old French, pleit, which is from the Latin plicatum,
"fold"): An interweaving, abraiding, a knot; an elaborate gathering of the...
Outward (17 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning ofbraiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB KJV WEY...
Jewels (54 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning ofbraiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB ASV BBE)....
Wearing (43 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 3:3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning ofbraiding the hair,
and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; (WEB KJV WEY...
Rope (10 Occurrences)
... See Cordage. 2. (n.) A row or string consisting of a number of things united,
as bybraiding, twining, etc.; as, a rope of onions....
Extinct (3 Occurrences)
Resources
Why does the Bible speak against braided hair? | GotQuestions.orgBraiding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
