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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Head
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HEAD.—Not the head but the heart was regarded as the seat of intellect; it was, however, the seat of life, and was naturally held in honour. Hence phrases such as ‘keeper of my head’ (1Sa_28:2; cf. Psa_140:7), ‘swearing by the head’ (Mat_5:36), and the metaphorical use, common to all languages, as equivalent to ‘chief.’ In Deu_28:13, Isa_9:14, we find ‘head and tail’ as a proverbial expression. Christ is the head of the Church (Eph_4:15, Col_1:18; Col_2:19), as man is of the woman (Eph_5:23). To lift up the head is to grant success (Psa_27:6; Psa_110:7, Gen_41:13, where there is an obvious ironical parallel in Gen_41:19). The hand on the head was a sign of mourning (2Sa_13:19, Jer_2:37); so dust or ashes (2Sa_1:2, Lam_2:10); or covering the head (2Sa_15:30, Jer_14:3). On the other hand, to uncover the head, i.e. to loose the turban and leave the hair in disorder, was also a sign of mourning (see AV [Note: Authorized Version.] and RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] , Lev_10:6; Lev_13:45, Eze_24:17). Similarly shaving the head, a common practice in the East (Job_1:20, Isa_15:2; Isa_22:12, Eze_7:18, Amo_8:10); it was forbidden to priests (Lev_21:5), and, in special forms, to all Israelites (Lev_19:27, Deu_14:1). It might also mark the close of a period of mourning (Deu_21:12), or of a Nazirite’s vow (Num_6:9, Act_18:18), or of a Levite’s purification (Num_8:7). In Deu_32:42 there is a reference to the warrior’s long hair, RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] . Laying hands on the head was (a) part of the symbolism of sacrifice (Lev_16:21), (b) a sign of blessing (Gen_48:14), (c) a sign of consecration or ordination (Num_27:23, Act_6:6). In 2Ki_2:3 the reference seems to be to the pupil sitting at the feet of his master. ‘Head’ is also used, like ‘face,’ as a synonym for ‘self’ (Psa_7:16; and probably Pro_25:22, Rom_12:20).
C. W. Emmet.