Notice a more modern rendering of these verses in the New King James: "You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard" (
For this reason the loss of Samson's hair (Judg 16:17) was a tragic sin. Shaving the head normally was regarded as a sign of humiliation (2 Sam 10:4–5) or mourning (Isa 15:2; Jer 41:5–6; 48:37; Ezek 9:3).
Leviticus 21:5 (KJV) ``They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh.''
40 “A man who has lost his hair and is bald is clean. 41 If he has lost his hair from the front of his scalp and has a bald forehead, he is clean. 42 But if he has a reddish-white sore on his bald head or forehead, it is a defiling disease breaking out on his head or forehead.
It is this type of false worship the Bible forbids. Shaving one's beard and cutting one's hair for normal good grooming is something entirely different and not at all condemned in the Scriptures. In fact, the apostle Paul takes great pains to address proper grooming of one's hair in I Corinthians 11:2-15.
Around the world, Buddhist monks shave their heads as a symbol of their commitment to spiritual enlightenment. In India, some Hindu priests shave their heads as a sign of humility and renunciation of worldly desires.
(2Sa 14:25, 26) God's law commanded Israelite men that they should not 'cut their sidelocks short around,' nor destroy the “extremity” of their beards. This was not an injunction against trimming the hair or beard but was evidently to prevent imitation of pagan practices.
In 1 Corinthians 11:3-15, Paul writes that if a woman is to be so immodest as to wear her hair uncovered while praying or prophesying in a Christian assembly she might as well shave her head. Paul instructs the Corinthians that it is “one and the same” for a woman to have her head shaved and for her to unveil her hair.
It depends on who you ask. There are some Christians who believe it is a sin. The verse in the Bible that most Christians make reference to is Leviticus 19:28, which says,"You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you: I am the Lord." So, why is this verse in the Bible?
Jesus told His disciples, “But the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:30). As the Creator of human beings (and human hair), God takes great interest in how we care for His creation. We frequently receive questions from men and women on this subject.
The Roman Catholic Church does not condemn smoking per se, but considers excessive smoking to be sinful, as described in the Catechism (CCC 2290): The virtue of temperance disposes us to avoid every kind of excess: the abuse of food, alcohol, tobacco, or medicine.
Christians – no matter which church they belong to – should follow Paul and extend it to the heterosexual-homosexual distinction. We are all “clothed in Christ” (3:27): God only sees Christ, not our different sexualities.
He shaved his head at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. NLT Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow.
Samson confessed that he would lose his strength “if my head were shaved” (Judges 16:15- 17). While he slept, the faithless Delilah brought in a Philistine who cut Samson's hair, draining his strength.
The long untouched hair was therefore considered as the emblem of personal devotion (or devotedness) to the God of all strength. Thus it was an easy step to the thought that in the hair was the seat of strength of a Samson (Judges 16:17,20).
21:5 5They shall not make baldness upon their head, neither shall they shave off the corner of their beard, nor make any cuttings in their flesh. (Leviticus 21:5); Deut. 14:1 1Ye are the children of the Lord your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead.
27 “Do not trim off the hair on your temples or trim your beards. 27 "Don't cut the hair on the sides of your head or trim your beard. 27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard. 27 "Never shave the hair on your foreheads, and never cut the edges of your beard.
It was narrated from 'Abdullah bin 'Umar that : The Prophet [SAW] said: "Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has forbidden me from Al-Qaza' (to shave part of the head and leave part)." It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar said: "The Messenger of Allah [SAW] forbade Al-Qaza' (to shave part of the head and leave part)."
Little kids called Elijah "baldhead." “He (Elijah) cursed them in the name of the Lord. And two she-bears came out of the woods and tore forty-two of the boys” 2 Kings 2:23-24.
In the southern region of the United States commonly known as the "Bible Belt," where Christianity flourishes in the form of many creeds and denominations, Apostolic Pentecostal women are often distinguished from their fellow Christian sisters as being those who wear skirts and have long, uncut hair.
Haircuts, especially during moments of personal change, often carry a deeper, spiritual significance. They symbolise letting go—whether of an old identity, emotional baggage, or past memories—and create space for transformation.
Luke 12:7 New King James Version (NKJV)
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
“Studies have shown baldness in men is seen as a non-threatening form of social dominance,” says Dr. Frank Muscarella from Barry University in Florida. Which is great, because according to a Social Psychological and Personality Science study, men with fully bald heads are seen as more dominant.
Shaving your head is a personal choice. It is sometimes all about maintenance and convenience. Some people may also opt for it due to medical reasons. However, to think that it may help your hair grow back thicker is a false thought and a misconception.