Locks
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Locks in the Bible?
Hebrew lexical terms for hair include tsitsith, pera', machlaphah, and qewutstsah, each denoting distinct applications within biblical narratives and legal codes.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the specific Hebrew terms for hair clarifies how grooming practices functioned as markers of social status, religious observance, and cultural identity, thereby providing essential context for interpreting biblical passages that address hair-related prohibitions or customs.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Locks. 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 Locks in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Locks 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
"Locks." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/locks/