Did Jesus Have Long Hair?
A man under a Nazarite vow was not permitted to cut his hair; he
was to let it grow long. Number 6:5 You must not cut his hair throughout the time of his vow of
consecration. He must be holy until the time is completed during which he
consecrates himself to the LORD; he is to let the hair of his head grow long. This
requirement makes no sense unless the normal Jewish man had short hair.
This normal condition is revealed by nature, as Paul pointed out: “Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man
has long hair it is a disgrace to him.” (1 Cor. 11:14). That would seem to shut the door on long-haired Jesus portrayals. Paul
was very well educated on Mosaic Law and Jewish customs.
Historians have determined that ancient Jewish men did not wear their
hair long; they mocked men with long hair, which was somewhat common among
Roman and Greek philosophers, emperors, and pagan gods.[1]
Archeologists found, for the first time, hair from a Jewish man, in a site
south a Jerusalem, in the year 2000. Hair from Jewish women was common in
excavations, but not hair from men. Until recently.
One of the more fascinating finds in this tomb, one that has not
received much attention, was the preservation of a sample of Jewish
male hair. The hair was lice-free, and was trimmed or cut evenly, probably
indicating that the family buried in this tomb practiced good hygiene and
grooming. The length of the hair was medium to short, averaging 3-4 inches. The
color was reddish.[2]
Why have we settled on portrayals of Jesus with long hair? The biblical
record, historical records, and archeological research all agree: other than
men under a Nazarite Vow, Jewish men had short hair. There is nothing in the
Bible suggesting Jesus was under a Nazarite vow. He had short hair.
[1]
https://relevantmagazine.com/current/buzzworthy/if-jewish-law-says-men-had-to-have-short-hair-why-does-jesus-have-long-hair-in-every-movie/
[2] https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/the-only-ancient-jewish-hair-ever-found/
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