Have you ever wondered what the Bible says about cutting hair? Many people are curious about the scriptural perspective on this daily activity.
Let’s explore some key Bible verses and understand the meaning behind them, finding out how these teachings might relate to our lives today.
Bible Verses About Cutting Hair
1 Corinthians 11:15 – Long hair is considered a glory for a woman
“But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.” – 1 Corinthians 11:15
1 Peter 3:3-4 – Inner beauty is more important than outward adornment
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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
Leviticus 19:27 – Instructions on grooming for the Israelites
“Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.” – Leviticus 19:27
1 Timothy 2:9 – Dress modestly and focus on good deeds
“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, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” – 1 Timothy 2:9
Matthew 5:36 – Do not make oaths based on your hair
“And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.” – Matthew 5:36
Isaiah 7:20 – A metaphor for judgment and cutting of hair
“In that day the Lord will use a razor hired from beyond the Euphrates River—the king of Assyria—to shave your head and the hair on your legs and to take off your beards as well.” – Isaiah 7:20
Jeremiah 7:29 – A call for spiritual mourning, cutting of hair as a sign
“Cut off your hair and throw it away; take up a lament on the bare heights, for the Lord has rejected and forsaken this generation that brings evil.” – Jeremiah 7:29
Ezekiel 44:20 – Guidelines for priestly conduct concerning hair
“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
Acts 18:18 – Paul’s vow and cutting of hair
“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken.” – Acts 18:18
Matthew 10:30 – God knows the number of hairs on your head
“And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” – Matthew 10:30
Luke 21:18 – God’s protection over believers
“But not a hair of your head will perish.” – Luke 21:18
James 1:12 – The reward for those who persevere
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” – James 1:12
Proverbs 16:31 – Wisdom and age reflected in gray hair
“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.” – Proverbs 16:31
1 Samuel 1:11 – Hannah’s vow concerning her child’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
Proverbs 27:19 – Reflection of one’s heart
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” – Proverbs 27:19
Matthew 6:25 – Worrying about life and physical appearances
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” – Matthew 6:25
Mark 4:6 – The importance of roots and growth
“But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” – Mark 4:6
Philippians 4:13 – Strength beyond physical appearance
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruits of the Spirit over physical adornment
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23
Hebrews 13:5 – Contentment rather than fixation on appearances
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” – Hebrews 13:5
Colossians 3:2 – Focus on things above
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Proverbs 31:30 – Charm and beauty are fleeting
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” – Proverbs 31:30
Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 – A time for everything, including grooming
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
2 Corinthians 5:17 – Becoming a new creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Proverbs 3:15 – Wisdom is more valuable than physical beauty
“She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.” – Proverbs 3:15
Revelation 1:14 – A description of Christ’s appearance
“His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire.” – Revelation 1:14
John 7:24 – Judging with righteous judgment
“Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” – John 7:24
1 Corinthians 11:5 – Proper conduct in worship regarding head coverings
“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
Matthew 10:31 – Value of human beings, beyond hair
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:31
Romans 12:2 – Transformation and renewal of the mind
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
James 4:14 – Life is fleeting, just like physical beauty
“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” – James 4:14
Also Read: 30 God Is Good All the Time Bible Verses
What Does the Bible Say About Cutting Hair?
When we talk about cutting hair, the Bible provides some interesting perspectives. While there are several mentions of hair throughout the Bible, only a few passages focus specifically on cutting hair.
In the Old Testament, there are detailed instructions given to the Israelites about how they should handle their hair in the Book of Leviticus. These guidelines were part of the laws meant to set the Israelites apart from other nations. For example, priests had specific rules about not shaving certain parts of their heads.
One of the most well-known stories related to hair is that of Samson in the Book of Judges. Samson’s strength was linked to his uncut hair, which was part of a Nazirite vow. When Delilah cut his hair, he lost his strength. This story shows how hair, in some contexts, was a symbol of God’s blessing and strength.
In the New Testament, there’s a different perspective. In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he speaks about hair length as a cultural practice. Paul discusses that men should have short hair and women should have long hair. This was in line with the cultural norms of that time, which valued modesty and propriety.
So, what’s the takeaway for us today? The Bible gives us historical and cultural insights about haircuts, but it doesn’t provide detailed rules for us to follow now. We can understand the importance of these practices in biblical times but recognize that our cultural norms may differ.
Ultimately, cutting hair is a personal choice. The Bible encourages us to focus on inner virtues like kindness, compassion, and humility. These qualities matter more than the length or style of our hair.