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What was the length of people's hair in Bible times?

     I Corinthians 11:14,15 says, "Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."   The question I have concerning this passage is that I believe that in the time that Paul wrote this passage the women of that time had very long hair, some possibly almost reaching to the ground. On the other hand is there any evidence available as to the length of Paul's hair or the length of the hair of the other disciples, or for that matter the length of the Lord's hair. Can we know for certain when a man's hair length has exceeded the length that Paul was talking about.  Also, I always hear this verse applied to the length of a man's hair, but as of yet, I have not seen it applied to women. Many women where their hair very short, does this go against I Corinthians.  I appreciate the work you are doing for the Lord on this site and hope you continue to help the body of Christ to grow in an understanding of God's Word.

  Matthew 22:15-22 says, “Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? SHOW ME THE TRIBUTE MONEY. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith unto them, WHOSE IS THIS IMAGE AND SUPERSCRIPTION? They say unto him, CAESAR’S. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's. When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.”

You can see that same image of Caesar on a coin today, by looking in most any Bible Dictionary or encyclopedia. It clearly shows that his hair was short hair, off of the ears and collar. That was the normal man’s haircut of the day.

For too long we have given more weight to the artists than to clear history at the time that Jesus walked upon the earth. We would do well to take heed to Number 33:52, “...destroy all their pictures…” Artists have gone against the clear teaching of Scripture, that God has built it into man’s very nature that he is to have short hair, and have painted pictures of a long-haired Jesus. I Corinthians 11:14,15 says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”

As to women’s hair, yes, it is a shame that preachers will not preach the truth about that, too. We preach it here. Women are to have long hair. Their hair should be no where near the length of a man’s short hair.

Too many men try to see how long they can grow their hair without it being called “long,” and too many women try and cut their hair as short as possible without it being called “short.” Is it not sad that people try to see how far away from God’s standard that they can go, and still feel that they are not breaking God’s Law? Why do not truly born again believers try to see “how close” they can get to what God has taught? It is the difference between trying to keep the “letter” of the Law, or the true “spirit” of the Law as to why it was really written. The “spirit” or “reason” for that Law is that there be A CLEAR AND DEFINITE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE APPEARANCE OF MEN AND WOMEN. Something that is EASILY seen. Those who try to go to the limit, only cause confusion and lust. Please see the Bible Course on the Christian’s Appearance at “http://www.pathwaynet.com/libertyb/biblecrs/cappear/cappear1.htm”, or write to us, and we will send you a copy.

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