Is it possible that the length of a person’s hair could have anything to do with pleasing God?

Such an idea may at first seem strange. But before the question is dismissed, it would be wise to consider two statements of Scripture: “If a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him . . . if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for hair is given her for a covering” (1 Corinthians 11:14-15).

In the Bible, divinely appointed symbols represents things. The night Jesus was betrayed, for example, he gave His disciples bread to eat and a cup to drink.

God has chosen for the length of people’s hair to symbolize their relationship to him and to the authority he has placed over them. The truth is represented in I Corinthians 11:3-16.

THE PRINCIPLE OF AUTHORITY

The subject of I Corinthians 11:13-16 is AUTHORITY: "the head of every man is Christ; and of the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God” (verse 3). This verse introduces and provides the basis for the following discussion about covering the head.

"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head." (verse 4) Christ is man's head. It is therefore Christ who is dishonored if man prays or prophesies with a covered head.

“But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven” (verse 5).

The man (husband or father) is the head of the woman (wife or daughter). It is therefore the man who is dishonored if a woman prays or prophesies with uncovered head. This dishonor is the same as if her head were shaven.

Not only is it a shame if the woman is shaven, but it is equally a shame if she is shorn. “For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to shorn or shaven, let her be covered” (verse 6). The word “shorn” is simply the past participle of “shear,” which means “to cut.” This is the meaning of the Greek word keiro, from which "shorn” is translated.

SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE

What is the theological basis of this teaching?

“For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man” (verse 7). God has chosen that a man’s uncovered head reflects His image and glory in man; woman’s covered head reflects the glory of the man.

This reflected glory is based on the order at creation. “For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman: but the woman for the man: (verse 8-9).

These things are important even in the spiritual realm is revealed in the next statement: “For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels” (verse 10). Angels are spirits. It is not just in the psysical realm that the authority represented by the length of hair is important; even angels take note of a person’s obedience or disobedience in this matter. Angels, especially the seraphims, have six wings: two wings to cover their faces, two wings to cover their feet and two wings to fly. Covering the seraphim's faces and feet symbolizes respect and subjection to authority and to the headship of God. The same thing applies with the woman's hair as her "covering" for respect.

After establishing the divine order of creation and of authority, the passage affirms that a man and the woman are equally important to each other and of equal value in the kingdom of God (verses 11-12) and yet proper respect of the woman to the man be done accordingly.

THE COVERING

The inspired Apostle Paul believed the church at Corinth would naturally understand the validity of his teaching on this subject: “Judge in yourselves: it is comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? (verse 13). He did not think this should be a surprise to Christians, for the lesson of a clear distinction between male and female in this matter is deeply rooted even in nature: “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have a long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have a long hair, it is glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering” (verses 14-15).

The words “have long hair" in these verses are translated from Greek word komao, which means “to let the hair grow.”

The word "hair” in verse 15 in the phrase “her hair is given her for a covering” is translated from Greek kome, which refers to "uncut hair". This further explains verse 6, which declares it to be a shame if a woman’s hair is shorn (cut) or shaven. Her long, uncut hair is a glory to her, for it illustrates her loving submission to her husband or father.

On the other hand, it is a shame for a man if he allows his hair to grow uncut. For a man to cut his hair reflects his submission to Christ; uncut hair on a man symbolizes rebellion against Christ.

The covering mentioned in this passage is the woman’s uncut hair. Verse 15 is the only place the word “covering” a noun, appears in the passage. Previously, the words “uncovered” and “covered” appear. These two words are adjectives; they do not specifically declare what is the covering. But verse 15 specifically says, “Her hair is given her for a covering.” The word “for” is translated from the Greek anti, which means “against” or “instead of.”

Here the Bible itself declares that the woman’s long, uncut hair is given to her instead of (for) a covering, and this is the inspired explanation of verses 5 and 6. Thus, if a woman cuts or shaves the hair on her head, it is in the eyes of God a shameful dishonor of her father or husband. If a man allows his hair to grow long, it is therefore a shameful dishonor of Christ.

CONTENTION

The passage concludes, “ But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God” (verse 16).

Contention is always the result of pride (Proverbs 13:10). If any man proudly argued against this teaching, he needed to realize that none of the churches had a custom of allowing men to pray or prophesy with their heads covered with long, uncut hair. Nor did they permit women to pray or prophesy unless their heads were covered with long, uncut hair.

QUOTATIONS

"Brother Branham, my husband wants me to have long hair."
I said, "God wants the same thing." That's right. For the women is supposed to have long hair. That's their covering. I know we ladies today--or you ladies, rather, wear hats. You say that's your covering. That's wrong. The Bible said a woman's covering is her hair. And if she cuts her hair, it's a common thing for her to pray. That right? That's Scripture. See? So now, women are supposed to wear long hair, regardless of what you want to think about it; that's what's THUS SAITH THE LORD. If you can show me any place... You say, "Well, my hair's long. See, it's down to my shoulders." That was short hair, "Christ..." You said, "had... Christ had long hair." No, He never. Christ had shoulder length hair, so they say.
They just pull it around this way and cut it off, shoulder length hair. Look at the Greek word on that in there, and you'll find out. Feminish hair... A man shouldn't have long hair, 'cause it's feminish, way down long like this. But He just cut it off here at His shoulders, where they cut it off, around His head, just bob it off like that. That was short hair. So ladies with hair to their shoulder, it's still short hair. Now, I don't say that would send you to hell or take you to heaven. That don't have nothing to do with it. But the order of the church is for women to have long hair."
(QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_NO2 JEFF_IN 01-03-54 Evening)

"Where is it in the church you're supposed to wear a hat in the church? When you wear a hat on your head, you dishonor Christ, that's right; man, I'm speaking of. Women, you do have a covering, but I'll challenge anybody to show me where it's a hat or a handkerchief. It's your hair. And you've cut it all off. Now, what about that? Oh, they say, "That's old fashion." If it is, it's the Bible, God's Word's right.
Speaking here not long ago of the woman that washed Jesus' feet, and took her hair, you know, and wiped it with it. I said, "The only way a woman could do that, is stand on her head to get enough hair down there to wash His feet and to wipe it." That's right. Oh, it's a disgrace.."
(WHY_ARE_WE_NOT_A_DENOMINATION JEFF_IN 09-27-58)

Now a woman is not meant to have an iron disposition. She is, according to the Holy Scripture, to be submissive to the male. That is commanded of her. Woman who is truly female, all female, will be of that disposition. Not a door mat. No real male makes a female a door mat. But she will want to be under authority and not rule over the male, for he is the head of the house. If she breaks that image that God made for her, she is perverted. Any male that lets the woman take authority has also broken that image and he is perverted. That is why a woman CANNOT WEAR THAT WHICH PERTAINETH TO A MAN OR CUT HER HAIR. She is never to wear garments that pertain to a male or cut her hair. When she does she is intruding into the male domain taking authority and perverting herself. And when a woman invades the pulpit which it is COMMANDED SHE MUST NOT DO, she shows what spirit she is of. Being a dominating female is antichrist and the seeds of the Roman Catholic Church are in her though she may deny this ever so vehemently. But when it COMES TO THE WORD, Let God be true and every man’s word a lie. Amen.
(WHY_ARE_WE_NOT_A_DENOMINATION JEFF_IN 09-27-58)