Bible Dictionaries
Hair (2)

　　HAIR.—The Jews seem to have shared with other peoples the belief that the hair is really ‘a living and important part of the body’ (W. R. Smith, RS [Note: designates the particular edition of the work referred] , iii. 390). This lent importance to the oath by the head which was common among them (Matthew 5:36), and it accounts for the attention given to the hair in connexion with vows (Acts 18:18; Josephus BJ ii. xv. 1; on hair as offering and in vows see W. R. Smith, l.c. 323 ff.; Frazer, l.c. i. 370 ff.). In NT times long hair was regarded as a glory of women, but a disgrace to men (1 Corinthians 11:14-15). Opinion had changed since the days of Absalom.

　　Among the Arabs the ancient sentiment survives. Many stalwart men, not merely ‘immature lads’ (RSθρὶξ καμήλου, Matthew 3:4) is probably identical with שׂעִר of Zechariah 13:4, and that of his great prototype (2 Kings 1:8, where we should read with (Revised Version margin) ‘a man with a garment of hair’). The rough outer cloak generally worn is of goats’ hair. Wabar al-ibil, the hair, or wool, (