Topical Encyclopedia
Baldness, as referenced in the Bible, often carries symbolic and cultural significance. In ancient times, hair was considered a sign of strength and vitality, and its absence could symbolize mourning, shame, or divine judgment. The following scriptures provide insight into the biblical perspective on baldness:
1.
Leviticus 13:40-41: "Now if a man loses his hair and is bald, he is still clean. Or if his hairline recedes and he is bald on his forehead, he is still clean." This passage from the Levitical law clarifies that natural baldness does not render a person ceremonially unclean, distinguishing it from conditions like leprosy.
2.
2 Kings 2:23-24: "From there, Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. 'Get out of here, baldy!' they said. 'Get out of here, baldy!' He turned around, looked at them, and called down a curse on them in the name of the LORD. Then two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys." This account highlights the disrespect shown to the prophet Elisha due to his baldness and the severe consequences that followed, underscoring the importance of honoring God's anointed.
3.
Isaiah 3:24: "Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of styled hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding." In this prophetic passage, baldness is used metaphorically to describe the impending judgment and humiliation that would come upon the daughters of Zion due to their pride and vanity.
4.
Isaiah 15:2: "Dibon goes up to its temple, to its high places to weep; Moab wails over Nebo and Medeba. Every head is shaved, every beard is cut off." Here, the shaving of heads, resulting in baldness, is an expression of mourning and lamentation over the destruction that has befallen Moab.
5.
Jeremiah 47:5: "Gaza will shave her head in mourning; Ashkelon will be silenced. O remnant of their valley, how long will you gash yourself?" This verse associates baldness with mourning practices, indicating a state of grief and desolation among the Philistines.
6.
Ezekiel 7:18: "They will put on sackcloth, and horror will cover them. Shame will be on all faces and baldness on all their heads." In this context, baldness is a sign of shame and despair as a result of God's impending judgment on Israel for their iniquities.
7.
Amos 8:10: "I will turn your feasts into mourning and all your songs into lamentation; I will make all of you wear sackcloth and shave your heads. I will make that time like mourning for an only son and its outcome like a bitter day." The prophet Amos uses baldness as a symbol of deep sorrow and mourning, reflecting the severity of God's judgment.
These scriptures collectively illustrate that baldness in the Bible is often associated with themes of mourning, judgment, and humility. It serves as a physical manifestation of deeper spiritual and emotional states, reflecting the cultural and religious context of the times.
Nave's Topical Index
Leviticus 13:40,41And the man whose hair is fallen off his head, he is bald; yet is he clean.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Introduction.
... as of revealed truth ingeneral, a receptive... also with the doctrines which the
Scriptures contain, arranged... this department infers the risk ofbaldness in the...
Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was Called...
... of a head with many patches ofbaldness; even so... of each one will bring somegeneral
and intolerable... is full of such examples, and theScriptures abound with...
The Contribution of Science to Christianity
... surpassed by the new; but there is also abaldness.... science, and these of a somewhat
general kind... than are many ancient interpretations of theScriptures to the...
St. Gregory the Great.
... eastern despot, or a semi-Asiaticgeneral, with secretaries... in losing its feathers,
has enlarged itsbaldness as the... one ask me to unfold theScriptures; for my...
Internal Evidence Demonstrated to be the Very Reverse of...
... none of Mark's peculiarities (no eutheos, no palin, &c., but thebaldness and lack...
he saith true," is the language of the same Evangelistconcerning himself in...
The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... inhabitant being present in thegeneral assembly and... spirit of whoredom and idolatry
concerning the learning... you find suiting with theScriptures take, though...
Resources
Why did the Prophet Elisha curse the “youths” for making fun of his baldness (2 Kings 2:23-24)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about hair length? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about 2 Kings | GotQuestions.orgBaldness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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