Poll
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Poll in the Bible?
The Hebrew term for 'poll' denotes the act of cutting, shaving, or shearing hair, functioning as a significant ritual marker for states of purity, mourning, or dedication within biblical narratives.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the semantic range of this term clarifies the cultural weight of hair-related actions in biblical texts, revealing how physical grooming practices functioned as visible indicators of covenantal status, mourning rites, or votive offerings.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Poll. 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 Poll in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Poll clarify?
Related Topics
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
"Poll." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/poll/