What does the Bible say about hair coloring?

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The Bible does not forbid hair coloring, but calls believers to practice personal adornment with modesty, humility, and faithfulness to God. Scripture recognizes hair as part of ordinary human appearance, including its beauty and the honor associated with age, as Proverbs 16:31 and Song of Solomon 5:11 suggest. 1 Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 warn against making outward display the source of worth, directing attention instead to godly character. Nazarite vows involved special rules about uncut hair in Numbers 6:5, but these were temporary covenantal vows, not a universal command. Christians therefore have liberty in such matters, provided their choices are not vain, immodest, or driven by worldly pride.

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • 1 Timothy 2:9

    In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in decent clothing, with modesty and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing;

  • Numbers 6:5

    "All the days of his vow of separation there shall no razor come on his head, until the days are fulfilled, in which he separates himself to Yahweh. He shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.

  • 1 Peter 3:3-4

    [3] Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; [4] but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious.

  • Leviticus 13:30

    then the priest shall examine the plague; and, behold, if the appearance of it is deeper than the skin, and the hair in it is yellow and thin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean: it is an itch, it is leprosy of the head or of the beard.

  • Leviticus 19:28

    "'You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Yahweh.

  • Leviticus 13:3

    and the priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body: and if the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body's skin, it is the plague of leprosy; and the priest shall examine him, and pronounce him unclean.

  • Proverbs 16:31

    Gray hair is a crown of glory. It is attained by a life of righteousness.

  • Song of Solomon 5:11

    His head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:14-15

    [14] Doesn't even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? [15] But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.

  • Matthew 5:36

    Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can't make one hair white or black.

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