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the locks (cutting them off) nor going to the extreme of shaving off every bit of hair are desirable. However, Paul is not condemning the tidying up of a woman's hair by trimming it where this may be necessary. In Scripture we often have what is apparently a repetition using similar words, probably to ensure that what is meant is clear and to leave no room for misunderstanding or for those who would play with words and wrest (twist) their meaning (see 2 Peter 3:16).

What all this amounts to is that a woman would be expected to normally have long hair, whereas a man would have shorter hair. The woman in certain circumstances should cover her head, including her hair, whereas a man in the same circumstances should not do so. The distinction between man and woman would thus be maintained. In order that their hair might not be on display, though a veil is not worn, but only a hat which covers the top of the head, it was and may still be in some circles the practise to do the hair up in a bun at the back of the head so that the hair is not significantly in evidence.

Apart from what is said in 1 Corinthians 11 about hair it may be worth noting that in Song of Songs 5:11 the beloved's hair is said to be black as a raven. This would indicate virility. However, the judge in Daniel 7:9 had hair like pure wool indicating the whiteness of age and consequently experience. The judge is not inappropriately called the Ancient of days. The pure wool would be white as we have it in Revelation 1:14. Today judges wear white wigs to give the impression of age. The idea probably originated with the passage in Daniel just quoted.

The importance of hair may be seen in that the hairs of the head are all numbered (Matthew 10:30) and in another place it is said not a hair from the head of any one of you shall perish (Acts 27:34).

November 2002

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