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Hair, Plucking Of The

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Hair, Plucking Of The in the Bible?

The plucking of hair functioned as a public act of humiliation and shame in ancient Israelite society, often imposed as a penalty for transgressions or performed during periods of intense mourning.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding this practice clarifies the physical and social dimensions of shame and penitence depicted in biblical narratives, revealing how bodily integrity was linked to social standing and divine favor.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Hair, Plucking Of The. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Hair, Plucking Of The in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Hair, Plucking Of The clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Hair, Plucking Of The." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/hair-plucking-of-the/
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