The Bible touches on the topic of braided hair in a few different passages, specifically calling it out as something that should be avoided or cautioned against. There are a few potential reasons the Bible seems to speak against braided hair:
1. Braided hair was associated with pride and vanity
In 1 Timothy 2:9, Paul instructs women to dress modestly, “not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire.” The concern here seems to be that elaborate hairstyles and excessive jewelry can promote vanity and draw attention to outward appearance rather than inner spirituality. Braiding and styling hair in extravagant ways was seen as a way to show off wealth and status, rather than living humbly.
2. Braided hair had pagan or immoral associations
In ancient times, braided or ornate hairstyles were common among pagan priestesses in Greek and Roman temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Some of these temples also served as brothels. So braided hair became associated with pagan rituals and sexual immorality in the Greco-Roman world (1 Peter 3:3). The early Christian church wanted to avoid any associations with such practices.
Likewise, ephod in some translations refers to an elaborate braided hairstyle (Isaiah 3:20 KJV). Since ephods were also worn by priests in idol worship, braided hair may have been avoided because of those immoral connotations.
3. Braiding could indicate social or marital status
In some ancient cultures, braided hairstyles held social significance and indicated whether a woman was married, betrothed, a widow, etc. Wearing hair loose or unbraided could imply sexual availability. So restrictions on braiding may have been intended to uphold morality and sexual purity until marriage (1 Corinthians 11:5-6).
Single braids or plaits were common among young unmarried women, while more complex braiding indicated marriage. God’s people were instructed not to follow social customs of the surrounding nations, so avoiding traditional braided hairstyles may have been meant as a mark of spiritual separation.
4. Focus should be internal, not external
As mentioned regarding vanity, avoiding braided hair was part of a larger teaching to place emphasis on inner spirituality rather than being preoccupied with outer appearance. Braided hair can give an outward impression of elegance, status, or femininity. The Bible encourages a focus on righteous character and a gentle and quiet spirit over external trappings (1 Timothy 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:3-4).
5. Avoidance of excessive ornamentation
Braided hair was one type of extravagant ornamentation that Scripture instructs God’s people to avoid. Just as jewelry, fancy clothes, and other outward decorations could reflect pride or vanity, elaborate hairstyles like braids could also shift focus to temporary outward beauty over inward humility and modesty. Simple, unaffected styles were encouraged instead.
6. Association with seduction and sensuality
As mentioned, loose, flowing hair in ancient times was associated with unmarried women indicating sexual availability. Intricate braided hairstyles could also draw attention and invite inappropriate interest. So restrictions on braiding may have been intended to avoid styles that hinted at promiscuity or seduction (1 Timothy 2:9). Godly women were urged to refrain from flaunting their sexuality through sensual adornment.
7. OT Law prohibited cutting or shaving hair
The Nazirite vow in Numbers 6 prohibited cutting or shaving one’s hair during the period of consecration to the Lord. So in order to keep hair neatly groomed, braiding would likely have been necessary. This special vow seems to represent shifting focus away from outward dedication and back to spiritual devotion after a period of focused consecration.
Likewise, Leviticus 19 banned “rounding off” the hair at the temples – likely describing a specific haircut common in Canaanite religious rituals. So avoidance of braided hairstyles may have been intended to uphold the holiness code rather than following pagan customs.
8. Association with glory and sexuality
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul writes that long hair on a woman is her glory, given to her as a covering. This seems to refer to feminine beauty and sexuality. Since braided hair draws attention to this glory, it may be cautioned against to avoid flaunting feminine sexuality and beauty.
Likewise, God designed woman for man and glory of man is woman. Braided hair draws attention to this dynamic. So restrictions maybe were given to focus that glory onto God instead.
9. Head coverings were used to cover elaborate hairstyles
Also in 1 Corinthians 11, Paul instructs women to cover their heads while worshiping. This may have implied covering up elaborate hairstyles like braids and keeping things simple and modest. The head covering showed submission to God’s order of authority and helped avoid distraction from extravagant hair arrangements.
So instructions against braided hair likely had the intent of keeping worship focused on God rather than fashionable outward appearance. Simple hair and covered heads directed attention to the proper place.
10. Association with harlots and worldly display
As mentioned before, the elaborate braided hairstyles of Greek and Roman temple priestesses carried immoral connotations. Corinth had one of the largest temples to Aphrodite, so Paul urged Christian women there to avoid braided hairstyles associated with those pagan temple prostitutes (1 Corinthians 11:5-6, 13-15).
Likewise, a braided harlot’s head in Ezekiel 16:10-13 symbolized Israel’s sin before God. So braided hair was associated with the sinful ornamentation of a prostitute rather than a pure bride of Yahweh. Avoiding braids spoke to purity and holiness.
In summary, the Bible speaks against braided hair in the larger context of avoiding excessive outward ornamentation and pride. Braided hairstyles carried associations of flaunting sexuality, displaying social status, and conforming to pagan customs of the surrounding nations. God’s people were instructed to focus on inward spirituality, modesty, submission, and setting themselves apart for Him. Flowing hair showed devotion while braided hair hinted at worldly vanities and corrupt influences. So avoiding braids was one way God’s people displayed humble obedience and spiritual purity.
While braided hair may not carry all these associations today, the principles can still apply. Showy outward appearance meant to flaunt beauty, wealth, and status can breed pride and detract from living humbly and purely as followers of Christ. Rather than conforming to the customs and values of the world, Christians are called to modesty, simplicity, and focus on the inner person which is precious in God’s sight. This includes avoiding extravagant hairstyles and keeping the focus on worshipping God in spirit and truth.
11. Braided hair could indicate conformity to cultural standards of beauty
In addition to associations with pride and paganism, restrictions on braided hair may have been intended to counter cultural standards of beauty and status. Elaborate braided and ornamented hairstyles were fashionable in ancient Greek, Roman, and Canaanite societies. But God called His people to avoid assimilation to those cultures and their practices (Numbers 15:37-41).
By refraining from trendy braided hairstyles, Hebrew women displayed nonconformity to the cultural norms of beauty and aesthetics around them. This was a visible marker setting God’s people apart as holy, similar to restrictions on certain foods, fabrics, and other customs.
Likewise, New Testament instructions indicate that Christians should not be conformed to this world but be transformed by God’s truth (Romans 12:2). So avoiding braided hair styles that were prideful or immodest according to cultural norms displayed spiritual distinction from society’s values and standards.
12. Hairstyles reflected religious devotion
In the ancient Near East, hair practices and restrictions often related to the religious beliefs of a people group. For example, the worshippers of Baal cut their hair short in dedication to their god. Hebrew practices like not cutting the hair of a Nazirite reflected devotion to Yahweh instead of other gods.
Pagan temple prostitutes wove gold or silver threads and jewelry into their braided hair. So Hebrew women avoiding braids or excessive ornamentation demonstrated their set-apartness for Yahweh and dedication to purity rather than idolatry. Their simple, unbraided hairstyles reflected inner devotion to the one true God.
13. Lack of braided hair indicated repentance and mourning
Donning sackcloth and ashes was a common sign of repentance and mourning in biblical times. Often this included letting the hair go unkempt – dirty, uncombed, and loose rather than neatly braided. This displayed an outward posture of sadness and humility before God (Isaiah 3:24).
Likewise, when God’s people wandered from Him spiritually, the prophets pleaded with them to “put away the braided hairstyles” and instead lament their sin (Isaiah 3:16-24). So avoiding decorative braiding was an outward sign of repentance and desire to return to God.
Thus, lack of braided hair indicated humility, awareness of sin, and a posture of mourning over grieving God. Simply dressed hair reflected a contrite heart seeking Him again and separating from previous sin or idolatry.
14. Braided hair as a sign of wealth and status
In several passages, the Bible mentions “braided hair” along with gold, silver, jewels, pearl necklaces, expensive clothing, and perfumes (Isaiah 3:18–23, 1 Timothy 2:9, 1 Peter 3:3). This indicates that ornate braided hairstyles were a luxury at that time, reserved for women of wealth and high status who could afford decorative accessories.
Since God’s people were instructed to avoid showy displays of wealth and proud clinging to status symbols, resisting elaborate braided hair was one way to exhibit modesty and humility. Simple hair demonstrated contentment rather than flaunting privilege and status through fashionable coiffures.
15. Head coverings as an alternative to braided hair
As mentioned regarding 1 Corinthians 11, head coverings were an alternative to drawing attention to fancy hair arrangements. But why were head coverings preferable to braids?
First, coverings showed submission to authority (1 Cor. 11:10). They also directed attention to God and the angels present in worship rather than becoming distracted by fashionable hair.
In addition, head coverings were simple and modest rather than ornate and extravagant. They kept the focus on worship, not outward appearance.
So coverings accomplished the goal of avoiding elaborate hairstyles in a way that also facilitated reverence in worship. They exemplified modesty and humility before God.
16. Calling attention to inner beauty over outward appearance
As referenced in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Peter 3, avoiding braided hair was part of a larger exhortation for women to cultivate inner beauty over outward adornment. While braids draw attention to physical appearance, God is concerned with the heart and character (1 Samuel 16:7).
The unfading beauty praised in Scripture comes from a gentle and quiet spirit, not hairstyles, jewelry, or fancy clothes (1 Peter 3:4-5). So avoiding braids kept the focus on developing inner beauty – having a heart set apart for God.
This inner vs. outward distinction applies to both men and women. But instruction about hair and clothing was given specifically to women likely because they were more prone to over-adorn themselves in these ways in ancient cultures.
17. Avoiding distraction to enhance focus on God
Elaborate hairstyles can draw attention and cause others to focus on physical beauty over inner character. This risks diverting focus away from God onto superficial outward appearance.
Likewise, in places of worship elaborate coiffures could distract from focusing on God. So restrictions against braided hair aimed to avoid diversion and enhance spiritual focus.
God instructed His people to abstain from anything that would detract from single-hearted devotion to Him. So guidelines on hair, clothing, and accessories were given to minimize distraction and foster undivided attention on the Lord.
18. Reflection of the heart’s priorities
As Jesus taught, outward actions and appearances simply reflect inner realities (Luke 11:39-41). Elaborate outward adornment can indicate misplaced priorities in the heart.
A priority on fashionable hair and makeup reveals a heart consumed with vanity over virtue, status over service, outward beauty over inner character.
But a woman who avoids braided hair and costly attire often demonstrates a heart focused on worshipping God, cultivating a gentle spirit, and pursuing righteousness over vanity. Her simple, modest hair reflects inner priorities pleasing to God.
19. Avoiding undue time, labor and expense on hair
In ancient times, ornate braided hairstyles took considerable time, labor and expense to arrange properly. Workers had to be paid to help style hair before events and gatherings.
But God’s word encourages proper stewardship of time, talents and money. Women were encouraged to devote themselves to good works, child-rearing, hospitality and other expressions of godly virtue – not excessive primping. Avoiding braided hair freed up time and resources to invest in eternal priorities.
So while braided hair was not intrinsically evil, avoiding it enabled ancient Christian women and modern ones to steward time and talents in a way that honored God and served others.
20. Identity rooted in God versus fashion of the age
Fashion tends to reflect the values and priorities of a particular culture and generation. But Scripture urges finding identity in God rather than trends of the age.
1 Peter 1:24 describes physical beauty like fancy hairstyles as temporary compared to eternal existence with God. So avoiding braids displays anchoring identity in Christ rather than shifting cultural fads.
Likewise, Romans 12:2 urges not being conformed to this world or its fleeting beauty standards but being transformed into Christ’s image. Refusing to let hair fashions define you exhibits devotion to God’s perspective, not whatever is en vogue.
So avoiding braids could represent embracing God-given identity over seeking validation through stylish coiffures that communicate cultural values. If identity is secure in Christ, hair is just hair.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible’s warnings against braided hair aim to promote virtues like simplicity, modesty, purity, humility, spiritual focus, and good stewardship versus vanity, sexual allurement, idolatry, materialism, and distraction from God.
While the specific cultural associations of braided hair in biblical times may not all apply today, the principles behind avoiding extravagant or sensual hair arrangements still hold true. As believers, our appearance should reflect our highest priorities – bringing glory to God, cultivating inner beauty, and pointing others to Christ through modest and unpretentious presentation of self.