30 Important Bible Verses About Cutting Hair

Haircuts may seem like a simple thing today, but in the Bible, hair had significant spiritual and cultural meanings. Whether it’s the story of Samson or rules about appearance, cutting hair had deep symbolism in many biblical contexts. Let’s explore what the Bible says about hair and the meaning behind cutting it in Scripture.

Also Read: Bible Verses About Bad Behavior

Bible Verses About Cutting Hair

Numbers 6:5 – Consecration to God requires not cutting the hair

“During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.” – Numbers 6:5

1 Corinthians 11:14-15 – Hair is given to women as a natural covering

“Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.” – 1 Corinthians 11:14-15

1 Samuel 1:11 – A vow to God may include not cutting one’s hair

“And she made a vow, saying, ‘Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.'” – 1 Samuel 1:11

Luke 7:38 – A woman used her hair to worship and anoint Jesus

“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” – Luke 7:38

Isaiah 3:24 – Hair can be used metaphorically to represent pride

“Instead of perfume, there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding.” – Isaiah 3:24

Leviticus 14:9 – Cut hair is a part of a cleansing process

“On the seventh day he must shave off all his hair; he must shave his head, his beard, his eyebrows and the rest of his hair. He must wash his clothes and bathe himself with water, and he will be clean.” – Leviticus 14:9

1 Samuel 16:22 – Cutting hair can be done as a symbol of mourning

“Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, ‘Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.’ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” – 1 Samuel 16:22

Acts 18:18 – Paul shaved his head as a part of completing a vow

“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.” – Acts 18:18

2 Samuel 14:26 – Absalom’s long hair was a notable feature of his appearance

“Whenever he cut the hair of his head—he used to cut his hair once a year because it became too heavy for him—he would weigh it, and its weight was two hundred shekels by the royal standard.” – 2 Samuel 14:26

Jeremiah 25:33 – Hair can symbolize mourning and devastation

“At that time those slain by the Lord will be everywhere—from one end of the earth to the other. They will not be mourned or gathered up or buried, but will be like dung lying on the ground.” – Jeremiah 25:33

1 Corinthians 11:6 – It is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved

“For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.” – 1 Corinthians 11:6

Exodus 29:4 – Hair can symbolize consecration and setting apart

“Bring his sons and dress them in tunics and wrap sashes around them. Also put turbans on them. Then tie sashes on Aaron and his sons. The priesthood is theirs by a lasting ordinance. ” – Exodus 29:4

Isaiah 50:6 – Hair being pulled out can represent suffering and humiliation

“I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting.” – Isaiah 50:6

Ezekiel 44:20 – Priests should not shave their heads or let their hair grow unkempt

“‘They must not shave their heads or let their hair grow long, but they are to keep the hair of their heads trimmed.” – Ezekiel 44:20

Deuteronomy 21:12 – Cutting hair can signify grief and letting go of past life

“Then you shall bring her home to your house, and she shall shave her head and trim her nails.” – Deuteronomy 21:12

1 Corinthians 11:10 – A woman should have a sign of authority on her head

“It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.” – 1 Corinthians 11:10

Leviticus 13:40 – People with skin diseases shall shave their heads

“If a man or woman has a sore on their head or chin.” – Leviticus 13:40

1 Timothy 2:9 – Women should adorn themselves with modesty instead of elaborate hairstyles

“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes.” – 1 Timothy 2:9

Leviticus 19:27 – Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or trim the edges of your beard

“Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” – Leviticus 19:27

Isaiah 47:2 – Baldness can symbolize humiliation and shame

“Take millstones and grind flour; take off your veil. Lift up your skirts, bare your legs, and wade through the streams. Your nakedness will be exposed and your shame uncovered. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” – Isaiah 47:2

Deuteronomy 14:1 – Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead

“You are the children of the Lord your God. Do not cut yourselves or shave the front of your heads for the dead.” – Deuteronomy 14:1

Genesis 41:14 – Joseph shaved and changed his clothes before appearing before Pharaoh

“So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh.” – Genesis 41:14

2 Kings 2:23 – Elisha’s curse resulted in bears attacking youths who mocked him for being bald

“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.” – 2 Kings 2:23-24

Acts 9:36-41 – Tabitha, a disciple, was raised from the dead by Peter

“In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, ‘Please come at once!’ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, ‘Tabitha, get up.’ She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.” – Acts 9:36-41

Jeremiah 16:6 – No one shall skave their head or cut their skin in grief

“Both the great and the small shall die in this land. They shall not be buried, and no one shall lament for them or cut himself or make himself bald for them.” – Jeremiah 16:6

Leviticus 13:33 – If hair has turned white and the disease appears to be deeper, the person is unclean

“The person to whom the disease clings shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’” – Leviticus 13:33

Deuteronomy 18:11 – Cutting hair for the dead is a pagan custom

“and he made his son pass through the fire and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking him to anger.” – Deuteronomy 18:11

Ezekiel 44:23 – Priests are to teach the difference between the holy and the common, and show the people how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean

“They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.” – Ezekiel 44:23

Jeremiah 7:29 – Hair will be cut off and thrown away in a time of judgment

“’Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the barren heights, for the Lord has rejected and abandoned this generation that is under his wrath.” – Jeremiah 7:29

2 Chronicles 26:16 – Uzziah was struck with leprosy when he became proud and acted unfaithfully against the Lord

“But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He was unfaithful to the Lord his God, and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.” – 2 Chronicles 26:16

Psalm 40:7 – David proclaimed delight in God’s law written within his heart

“Then I said, ‘Here I am, I have come—it is written about me in the scroll. I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.'” – Psalm 40:7

1 Peter 3:3-4 – True beauty should come from within, rather than outward adornment

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” – 1 Peter 3:3-4

Isaiah 22:12 – Repentance includes mourning, weeping, and shaving the head

“The Lord, the Lord Almighty, called you on that day to weep and to wail, to tear out your hair and put on sackcloth.” – Isaiah 22:12

Leviticus 21:5 – Priests shall not make bald spots on their heads

“They shall not make bald patches on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts on their bodies.” – Leviticus 21:5

Luke 12:7 – God knows each hair on our head

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Luke 12:7

Jeremiah 51:27 – God will make Babylon’s officials and wise men like mere fools

“Lift up a banner in the land! Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations for battle against her; summon against her these kingdoms: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a commander against her; send up horses like a swarm of locusts.” – Jeremiah 51:27

Genesis 27:11 – Jacob disguises himself to obtain the blessing of his father, Isaac

“Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, ‘But my brother Esau is a hairy man while I have smooth skin.'” – Genesis 27:11

1 Corinthians 11:15 – Long hair is given to women as a glory

“But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.” – 1 Corinthians 11:15

1 Samuel 1:28 – Hannah consecrates Samuel to the Lord and he grew in the presence of the Lord

“So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.” – 1 Samuel 1:28

Isaiah 3:17 – The pride of Jerusalem’s beautiful daughters will be brought low

“Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the Lord will make their scalps bald.” – Isaiah 3:17

1 Corinthians 11:14 – Long hair is a dishonor for a man

“Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him.” – 1 Corinthians 11:14

Deuteronomy 14:29 – Tithe for people, foreigners, orphans, and widows

“so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.” – Deuteronomy 14:29

Jeremiah 7:33 – Corpses will be food for the birds and beasts

“Then the carcasses of this people will be food for the birds and the beasts of the earth, and there will be no one to frighten them away.” – Jeremiah 7:33

Jeremiah 48:37 – Every head will be bald and every beard clipped

“Every head is shaved bald, and every beard clipped; on all the hands are gashes, and around the waist is sackcloth.” – Jeremiah 48:37

Isaiah 50:3 – God’s wrath will set the heavens on fire and make the earth a wasteland

“I clothe the heavens with darkness and make sackcloth its covering.” – Isaiah 50:3

Numbers 6:18 – After the Nazirite vow, the hair is shaved and offered on the altar

“After the Nazirite has shaved off the hair that symbolizes their dedication, the priest is to place in their hands a boiled shoulder of the ram, and one thick loaf and one thin loaf from the basket, both made without yeast.” – Numbers 6:18

1 Corinthians 11:5 – Women praying or prophesying with uncovered heads dishonor their heads

“But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.” – 1 Corinthians 11:5

Acts 21:24 – Paul shaves his head in a purification ritual with four other men

“Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law.” – Acts 21:24

Ecclesiastes 3:11 – God makes everything beautiful in its time

“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Leviticus 21:5 – Priests shall not make bald spots on their heads

“Priests must not shave any part of their heads or trim their beards or cut their bodies.” – Leviticus 21:5

Leave a Comment