Bible Dictionary
Baldness
Baldness in Scripture commonly refers to shaving the head as a sign of mourning or calamity, rather than natural loss of hair. Israelites were forbidden to imitate pagan mourning practices.
Definition
Biblical baldness generally refers not to natural loss of hair but to the shaving of the head. It could be associated with mourning, calamity, the conclusion of a Nazarite vow, or contempt. Natural baldness appears to have been uncommon.
Biblical Usage
Israelites were forbidden to imitate surrounding peoples by making themselves bald for the dead. Shaving could mark mourning or disaster, and it marked the end of a Nazarite vow. “Bald head” could also be an insult, while baldness figuratively expressed a devastated land.
Historical Background
The Egyptians commonly shaved their heads and allowed hair to grow as a sign of mourning. Natural baldness could expose a person to public derision.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
From natural causes was uncommon (2 Kings 2:23; Isa. 3:24). It was included apparently under “scab” and “scurf,” which disqualified for the priesthood (Lev. 21:20). The Egyptians were rarely subject to it. This probably arose from their custom of constantly shaving the head, only allowing the hair to grow as a sign of mourning. With the Jews artificial baldness was a sign of mourning (Isa. 22:12; Jer. 7:29; 16:6); it also marked the conclusion of a Nazarite’s vow (Acts 18:18; 21:24; Num. 6:9). It is often alluded to (Micah 1:16; Amos 8:10; Jer. 47:5). The Jews were forbidden to follow the customs of surrounding nations in making themselves bald (Deut. 14:1).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Natural baldness seems to have been uncommon, since it exposed people to public derision. (Leviticus 13:29; 2 Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:24; 15:2; Jeremiah 47:5; Ezekiel 7:18) Artificial baldness marked the conclusion of a Nazarite’s vow, (Numbers 6:9; Acts 18:18) and was a sign of mourning.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bald'-ness qorchah: The reference in the Bible to baldness is not to the natural loss of hair, but to baldness produced by shaving the head. This was practiced as a mark of mourning for the dead (Le 21:5; Isa 15:2; 22:12); as the result of any disaster (Am 8:10; Mic 1:16). The custom arose from the fact that the hair was regarded as a special ornament. It was the custom of the people of the land, and the Israelites were strictly forbidden to practice it (Le 21:5; Deut 14:1). These are striking passages with reference to the knowledge the Israelites had concerning the future life. This is saying to them what Paul said to the Thessalonians (1Th 4:13). To call one a "bald head" was an epithet of contempt, and was sometimes applied to persons who were not naturally bald. It was the epithet applied by certain infidel young men to Elisha (2Ki 2:23,24). In a figurative sense it is used to express the barrenness of the country (Jer 47:5).</p><p>See HAIR; SHAVING.</p><p>Jacob W. Kapp</p>