Quote:
Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson
That is how I understand that scripture too. It speaks of the femininity that long hair represents. However, there are cultures with women whose hair do not grow long, at least not in the western sense.
I also view this scripture through the lens of the culture and time period in which it was composed.
Not all women have long hair. The Bible's casting of shame on women with cut hair is STRICTLY CULTURAL. It was never presented in the way that some Christians present it.
The language of the Bible reads, "If it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered".
A woman with shortened hair is not a source of shame.
Some women actually look more attractive with certain haircuts and styles.
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1Co 11:5
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.
The woman who prays or prophesies uncovered 'dishonours her head'. Why?
BECAUSE it is the same as if she were shaven. Paul right there establishes that it is a shame for a woman to be shaven, otherwise his argument makes no sense whatsoever.
1Co 11:6
For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
He then says, 'for' meaning 'because of what I just told you in verse 5'. For if the woman will not be covered, then let her ALSO be shorn. This proves two things: First, that being uncovered is something distinct from having her hair cut off. Second, that since it is a shame for a woman to be shaven, and since a woman who prays uncovered is dishonouring her head, she might as well cut her hair off if she's going to pray uncovered.
BUT, if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, then let her be covered. That is to say, if it would be too much for her to be sheared like a sheep and lose all that hair on her head, then she best be covered.
The whole argument requires that it be shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off, otherwise his argument is senseless.
As for cultures where women's hair simply does not grow long, that doesn't change the fact that 1)if a woman has long hair it is a glory to her, and 2)that it would be shameful for a woman to have her head shaved or her hair shorn off, and finally 3)a woman who prays or prophesies uncovered dishonours her head.