The Long And Short Of It
Posted By Miss Jocelyn Tzahala on January 3, 2010 | Category: Feelin' Feminine, I Follow Yeshua HaMashyiach, Ponder Me This
It is commonly known, just by physical appearance (you don’t even have to ask! hehe), that not everyone agrees with others on head-veils, but it is non-debatable in the Scriptures that it is shameful to have short hair as a woman. A woman who has short hair brings shame upon her head, both on top of her shoulders and her husband. We are told in the Scriptures that having long hair enhances one’s appearance. In most cases short hair is not considered feminine nor is it.
“For if a woman is not veiled, let her also have her hair cut short; but if it is shameful for a woman to wear her hair cut short or to have her head shaved, then let her be veiled.”
1 Corinthians 11:6
It seems now that the argument is “what is short?” as everyone has their own views points on this, but I personally don’t think it’s very difficult to decide. Even by looking at the world’s standards of long and short you can see what is so. You can flip through hair and fashion magazines to see examples of short and long hair. You can walk into a beauty-salon and say “cut it short” and they will. I see all the time ladies who chop their hair off and know it’s now considered “short”, not just shorter. Some hair may be shorter than others but when asked if this or that length is short it doesn’t take one to be a an expert on hair to know the answer.
Some people may consider short hair “not very short at all”, but that is not the question. The question is: is it long? If you have long hair you know it. Long hair is… well… long, and many times is considered to be to the shoulder blades. If women just didn’t worry about having a certain style or having to change here and there, but let their hair grow out there will be no need to debate “how long is long”. Vanity and the world’s definition of beauty and youth have caused us to worry about ‘the style and fashion’ of everything. As I wrote this I researched to see what the definition of long hair actually was, and was surprised to find that it is defined as “a style of hair that is not cut”. So if you have long hair you have hair that isn’t cut [note: not talking about trimmings].
I personally love to have curly hair via a perm, but Yah has been convicting me of taking better care of my body with the products I use. Having a perm done every 6 months by applying chemicals directly on my scalp is not properly caring for my body, which is the temple of the Ruach HaKodesh. I must forgo having to have my own style so that I can honour Yah. Each time I try talk myself out of it I am reminded that I am fully trusting in Yahweh and not putting the value of beauty in physical appearance.
As ladies striving for spiritual goals, rather than material ones, having to have a certain style or cut should not be something that concerns us when we consider the Scriptures. It shouldn’t be a concern if we think we wouldn’t look good with longer hair or if it would take more to care for it or you wouldn’t be able to style it the way you want to. We should be focused on obeying the Scriptures and pleasing Yahweh.
How beautiful you are, my love! How beautiful you are! Your eyes are doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gil’ad.
{Song of Solomon 4:1}
This article was originally published in the November issue of Challenging Femininity, see comments here What About… The Long And Short Of It
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35 Responses to “The Long And Short Of It”
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Thank you for visiting my site! I hope that it has encouraged and challenged you in someway. Please be aware that my blog is not intended for any debatable purposes (honestly!!), though that's not to say admonishment (via the Scriptures in context) is not welcome. This is simply just a place for me to share what YHVH-God is convicting me of and showing me in my walk with Him. Please read "You're Judgmental" before commenting if the thought strikes you.
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Shalom, welcome to A Pondering Heart. I hope you will be challenged by what you read here and it will cause you to search deeper and deeper into the Word of YAH. My name is Jocelyn Tzahala - I am a 19yo young woman, living in Latin America, seeking to be 'set apart as YHVH is set-apart". I want my faith to resemble that Avraham because in him YHVH found a man who would trust in him with everything and act upon his Word. My hope is that my life may be a sweet fragrance unto YHVH the MOST HIGH! HalleluYAH!
Thanks for reiterating the part about how we should be striving for spiritual goals rather than materialistic. It’s far too easy to get caught up in the world’s perception of beauty because it’s basically just thrown at people our age and around our age in a way that seems pleasing to us. But we are called to perceive beauty differently – to perceive it in a biblical sense. I guess I struggle with that – I guess we all do in some way. We battle an urge to look our best and I don’t think there’s anything wrong in looking good and beautiful. What’s wrong is that if we place that above what’s truly important.
As for long hair being “hair that is not cut” – wow…that’s a very interesting definition. Thanks for sharing that. I love long hair – it’s our glory. It’s feminine. And Scripture is most definitely correct when it says that long hair enhances one’s appearance.
Do you think it’s better to leave long hair down or tie it up? Or would you say that’s up to each girl’s discretion?
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 2:56 am
Thanks for the comment, Jocelyn! :)
What do you mean by tied up?
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Jocelyn P.'s Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:05 am
From a simple ponytail to braids to something elegant…
Scripture commands that we girls have long hair, yet it doesn’t really say what we should do with it. I’m guessing it’s up to each girl? What are your thoughts?
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:30 pm
Ok, that’s what I thought. I really couldn’t say. I guess it would be up to each lady and the Spirit to discerning what is appropriate or not. I definitely don’t think hairstyles should be drawing the wrong attention or extravagant.
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Jocelyn P.'s Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 3:50 pm
Thanks =).
And by “tied up” – I didn’t mean to be confusing – that’s the way we Jersey people say it. =/
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Tied up means in a ponytail, put into a bun or braided (there are lots of way in which you can have your hair (tied) up!.
I myself am growing my hair long now and just get it trimmed (mind you my hair has only on two occasions had short hair and that was through my teens but this really didn’s suit me). I know this is neither by the by.
I have also started wearing head coverings each day and at times I wear my hair loose and at others I just clip it back or braid my hair.(I know this is slightly going off topic here and perhaps this is a hint for another post for you :)
As always an excellent post Jocelyn – thank you for sharing :)
Hugs
Elisheva
.-= Page´s last blog ..My thoughts on christmas – Part Two =-.
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Nice post Jocelyn ! By the way, I think the other Jocelyn, by “tied-up”, meant arranged in a chignon or an ponytail…
Blessings !
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I have bounced back and forth over the course of my whole life between long and short hair. I get “tired” of taking care of long hair, so I cut it all off. I even used the Locks for Love program as an excuse on my 40th birthday to cut it all off. I haven’t had it boy short since I was a little girl, thank goodness, but I find that once I cut it short, within a week I dislike it.
Maybe it is God convicting me? Whatever the reason for the feeling, I have decided that I do not want to cut it anymore. My children are fabulous with helping me take care of it on the days when my arm doesn’t work good. And to know I am honoring YHWH at the same time makes me ecstatic.
Thank you for sharing this with me Miss Jocelyn.
.-= Stephanie Bateman´s last blog ..You’re Really Fine? =-.
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I enjoyed this post~~ In 2005 due to medical reasons I had to have my hair cut ever so short~~ I was so sad that it had to be done~~ However it is getting long again~ Praises to Him~~ I also used to have perms every 6 months and enjoyed the body and curl that my long hair would have~~ However I was convicted that it was not the thing to be doing it has been lets see 13 years plus that I have had perms and my hair is a grey~ straight~ very thick~ with body~~ I am Blessed~~
Have a wonderful day~~
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I’m curious… Where did you find the definition of long hair? Was that from the Bible or a man made definition?
.-= Cassandra´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Day 2 =-.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 12:14 pm
Various sources. There is no place in the Scriptures where it gives the length of what is considered long hair. I did, however, look up the original Greek for verse 15 for the word ‘long’ for long hair, and found it is koma or kom-ah. I was searching to see if this Greek word had a definition of what length Paul might have been referring to. I didn’t find anything, but I did find that the word is the same word that we get ‘coma’ from, which means ‘deep sleep’. Take that into consideration of the depth or length of the hair he was referring to… pretty long.
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Cassandra's Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Ok. Thanks for explaining. I was curious about that.
Interesting timing on your post as I just last week cut off my hair to donate it. lol. It’s at my shoulders now but was down to the bottom of my back.
.-= Cassandra´s last blog ..Bible in 90 Days – Day 2 =-.
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I think long hair is beautiful. My dad likes his girls to have long hair. My fiance likes long hair and has said that when we have girls that he won’t let me cut their hair (and I am fine with that!). While I haven’t started covering full time I think that keep my hair long also is a way of obeying Yahweh while I am still an off and on head cover-er.
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Jocelyn, I agree with your post. I wanted to add too that I also due to medical conditions cannot have long hair. It has been really embarrassing to me honestly because I used to have very thick hair with natural wave and curl and now am bald in parts and my hair only grows longer in certain parts. Now I have 75% less and realize that my hair was probably a source of pride when I was younger. Now it does not grow long and I have kept it in an A-line cut so that it is longer near my face in order to be more feminine. At first I felt grief that I would be disobedient to God, but prayed with my husband about it. Together we concluded that if God healed the medical condition causing the problem, I would definitely grow it long, but that He would look at my heart before my hair and that there was no human way for me to make my hair grow! Like you, I was also convicted not to use any products on my hair that would be damaging to my hair and skin since I am His temple. While the Bible does not say about leaving it up or down, I think there has been through the centuries a cultural way of doing this, that a woman put her hair up once she was married and in some cases once she was eligible for marriage. Then only her husband delighted in her hair down. In some cases women responded almost as if they had been caught unclothed, when a man saw her hair down. I think this is part of why men seem to be so attracted to women with long hair. Not saying this is what God says to do, just offering something I’ve noticed in reading history.
.-= Theresa´s last blog ..Pantry Shelves =-.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I completely understand you and these types of situations. I will pray for healing for you and strength as you continue on your journey. May Yah’s face shine upon you give you absolute shalom.
As for women seen unveiled = unclothed I have seen that too, in different cultures, groups, and stories. If you look on the Teach Me Some Greek link you can click to the entire article. On there it makes the point that if hair was such a sexy or attractive thing then it would have been inappropriate for Mary to washed Yahushua’s feet with her hair. Although I know in that culture now once a woman is married, to be modest, she covers her hair completely.
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Long hair, this is the first time in many years I have had long hair, in fact it has never been this long, but I will keep on it, for I believe we are to very separate from the world, as in what society calls long, or short – should play no factor, …..thanks for sharing!
.-= Andi´s last blog ..~ Something To Consider ~ =-.
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I agree this issue is not debateable. Women should have long hair. I cut my hair several years ago and have regretted ever since. My hair is finally growing to a length that is more acceptable to God and my husband. I also feel more feminine.
I would like to say to the woman with the medical condition – that I, too, will pray for your healing. The important thing is that your heart is right before the Lord. He knows and cares for you.
Jocelyn, thank you for thought provoking posts. Thank you, most of all for always quoting scripture and referring to our Lord. His word is what is true and reliable – for God is not a man that He should lie.
Many blessings for the New Year.
Mrs. Cucuta
.-= Far Above Rubies´s last blog ..Mom’s Olive Spread =-.
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Yahveh convicted me of this not too long ago, when in my rebellion I chose to cut my hair short just like all the celebrities had it. I now regret it fully. I realize it was just my sinful and vain desires that made me do it.
Now I never want to cut my hair again!
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Nice post. The womens hair is her crown of glory.
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Rules For Daily Living =-.
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Hi Jocelyn!
Thanks for this thoughtful post! Some have stated that the Bible commands that we have long hair. Do you agree with that statement? I think it’s a bit of an overstatement. The 1 Cor 11 passage commands covering the head (which some take to mean long hair) but no where does it say women SHOULD have long hair. Paul assumes that women have long hair and want to keep their long hair–after all, it’s a glory to them. And he appeals to that fact of nature but doesn’t command it.
Does that all make sense?
That said, my husband and I think I shouldn’t wear my hair shorter than shoulder length.
Nice title, btw. I have an unpublished article on this topic with the same title. You beat me to it! :-)
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..New Year, New Things =-.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
The only command in the Scriptures that I can think of that directly says “don’t cut your hair, let it grow long” is the Nazarene Vow. However, there is indication all through the Scriptures that women had their hair grown long as was womanly. In Revelation John gives description of the locust/creatures that had “hair like women’s hair”. There was a definite distinction, per the command of Deuteronomy 22:5, between masculine and feminine.
Men, and preists especially, kept their hair, except for by the temples, trimmed and cut short {Ezekiel 44}. Women, as we see in Mary, Solomon’s lover, and descriptions of women in the prophets, all had long hair. Having your hair cut short was a sign of disgrace for women, usually involving adultery, and shaving your head meant some kind of sadness or mourning. This passage here in 1 Corinthians does say “there is no difference between her {a woman who prophesies with her head unveiled} and a woman who has had her head shaved”, saying these are shameful, and he goes on to say about having your hair short is also the same.
I don’t think he appeals to the fact that the nature of it doesn’t command it. In verse 14-15 of 1 Corinthians it says “Doesn’t the nature of things itself teach you that a man who wears his hair long degrades himself? But a woman who wears her hair long enhances her appearance, because her hair has been given to her as a covering.” and then he follows that up with “However, if anyone wants to argue about it, the fact remains that we have no such custom, nor do the Messianic communities of God.” meaning there is no such customs that a man with long hair degrades himself or that the hair is the woman’s covering.
Haha, am I making any sense?? :)
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Lauren's Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 10:12 am
LOL, I’m not sure!
I follow you with the practice of women having long hair and men having short hair as customary practice for the people of God throughout history. In the context of this passage, though, I don’t see a command. Paul appeals to nature and hair length in his argument for the covering. And yes, it is shameful for a woman to have short hair. Not that it is necessarily a sin (as with a woman who literally cannot have long hair), but that most women naturally feel ashamed when their hair is chopped off. And that’s still true today.
My main thought is, if your hair is given to you for a kind of covering, and it is a glory to you, WHY NOT wear it long? :0)
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Totally Dependent Emily =-.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 12:58 am
Ah Lauren you confused me off the subject lol – I wasn’t really addressing having to have long hair. I was more addressing the fact that it is shameful to have short hair. A lot of people make up their own ways and ideas about what is short so they don’t have to keep their hair any type of certain length. Obviously I know there is no Scripture that says “this ____ length is short” which is why I presented what is considered the opposite of short (ie long) and gave that definition. If we aren’t supposed to have short hair because it’s shameful then I think it’s safe to conclude we are supposed to have it long.
Shame is defined as “A painful sensation excited by a consciousness of guilt, or of having done something which injures reputation”. As we representatives of the Most High we should avoid shaming him and his name at any possible cost.
I like what this quote has to say about ‘possibilities’:
As I commented below I was hoping to offer some direction and encouragement there. :)
Shalom Aleichem!
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Great post! Still working on the headcovering…it’s really bothering me that it isn’t in Torah. I’ve been covering on Shabbat, but I don’t know if I’ll continue. Still doing research on it, but nothing’s really jumping out at me…
HUGS!
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Fascinating post; although, I must admit that it has filled me with some consternation.
I am the daughter and granddaughter of two thin and fine-haired ladies, as well as mother to a beautiful 5-year old who has almost NO hair! Is this disturbing to me? Absolutely, but after countless trips to different hair salons and multiple discussions with our pediatrician, I am resigned to the fact that some people are genetically predetermined to have fine, thin, SHORT hair. Maybe I can get Mary Catherine’s hair to a MEDIUM length, but it will never be truly “long”.
Is this displeasing to GOD? I do not believe so.
What I do think is displeasing to GOD is the “Hollywood” type worship that is given to long-haired beauties, especially as evidenced by weaves, wigs, extensions, etc. I WILL NOT put such things on my daughter’s head and would appreciate it if Disney would create just one “short-haired” princess so that my daughter might feel strong and confident in a world that worships “long hair.” And while we already curtail general television viewing, I have decided that I now need to extend that to Disney movies as my daughter is begging to have long hair.
What do I tell her?
Mary Catherine’s sweet and gentle spirit, love for the Lord, and kindness towards all living creatures is what makes her pleasing to GOD, not the length, or lack thereof, of her hair.
Perhaps the crowning glory in our family is the fabulous white-blonde color we have been blessed with as opposed to long, strong, brunette locks.
Blessings to you this New Year,
Valerie
.-= Valerie´s last blog ..Simplify =-.
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
No, I don’t think your situation with your hair is displeasing to Yahweh – obviously he gave you your hair and created you that way. I have found that eating flaxseed in your foods (it can go in ANYTHING) will make your hair very healthy and cause it to grow. Also washing and conditioning your hair with eggs gives a ton of protein and healthy vitamins. You may want to try that and see what other natural ways you can take to help with healthy hair.
I don’t see that same worship of long-haired beauties you mentioned. I think the length of hair in hollywood is equally ‘distributed”, but I do see many with longer hair because it is beautiful and does an enhance, like Paul said, a woman’s appearance. From personal experienced it has never given me, or anyone I’ve known, any strength or a sense of confidence seeing or knowing other people/things, like disney characters, who I can “identify” with. That gives them a place of esteem in my eyes and I try to stay away from all worldly idols and influences.
Yahweh created you and your daughter the way it pleased him and what makes us pleasing to Yahweh is to obey him to the best of our ability. That is all he expects from us. Yes, I would agree with you “Perhaps the crowning glory in our family is the fabulous white-blonde color we have been blessed with”.
May Yahweh continue to bless you and grant you peace as you seek to follow him!
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excellent post! i always learn so much here! i agree wholeheartedly with your opinion.
.-= Tami Lewis´s last blog ..an apron giveaway- whoo hoo! =-.
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I added this on another post and I think it will fit appropriately here as well since several have commented about certain situations where they cannot physically grow their hair long. The intention of my post was not to condemn anyone, but to encourage and present a Scriptural view on the subject.
I guess I’m not like most people. I don’t automatically question things like this or wonder “will Yah be displeased with me” if I physically can’t do something so I don’t always think to put a warning on there for those with special situations. I just know that I can’t and Yahweh does too. Yahweh doesn’t expect our perfection, just our direction.
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Jen's Reply:
January 4th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Thank you for the clarification, sister Jocelyn! :-)
.-= Jen´s last blog ..An Unconventional Christianity =-.
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Thats really great and very challenging! It has made me think about it more.. thanks so much for writing this and for challenging us all to keep our eyes ont he scripture.
Blessings,
Meggie
http://www.inkdrips.wordpress.com
.-= Meggie´s last blog ..The Apostles Creed =-.
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Dear Miss Jocelyn Tzahala, It is such a joy to visit your blog. Your expressed honor and regard for truth is beautiful to behold. Thank you for your succinct but simple explanations. These are divine principles and you honor them well. How wonderful that we can know what He requires of us. BTW that was a clever and creative title. Be joyful,Sandra Bina
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i enjoy your blog and always find it informative, interesting, and entertaining. I just wanted to say that i am reading only “positive” feedback posts – not counting others’ medical issues… I think you have a great point that what matters is our direction in seeking and serving Christ, however it is not through our works ( ie: deeds, actions) that we will be saved – only through Jesus… so to me it is merely a distraction to worry if i wear long or short hair – and getting caught up in wether it is right or wrong takes away from my focus on God – ” do I do this ” or ” do I do that” is self seeking – not God- seeking… I do not argue the point – though – as it is also true that if some of his word is right and divine then All of his word is right and devine. i always find that your posts are thought provoking and encourage me to search his word further and examine what i believe so i do not take anything as ” you should do such and such” and i never find you to be critical/judgemental to anyone).
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Miss Jocelyn Tzahala's Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Thank you for the comment. I enjoyed hearing your thoughts. I understand what you’re saying about it being a distraction, but we are his ambassadors and we are called to be completely set-apart for him. I wrote more on “Does Appearance Matter” here http://aponderingheart.com/blog/?p=2897
:)
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lesley's Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
I want to offer a sincere appology : in your new post about LOTR (etc) and a truly Christian view – These verses speak to me – related to this previous comment I made – 1 John 4:17 “b” , Romans 12:1, James 2:14-24.
9 specifically – Faith without works is dead” : You are correct. I have so much to learn from you. I look forward to it. Thanks. :)
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Hi Jocelyn. It’s been awhile since I could visit. Enjoyed your post. So thankful to have growing hair these days! Not much over a year ago I was shaving my hair to 1 inch long (hard to believe) and felt convicted in my spirit about my hair. I grieved over it and asked for forgiveness. I didn’t know why I really felt the way I did until I searched the scriptures and read about long hair being a woman’s glory (honor). I thought why in the world if God says something is honorable would we not desire to have it? I’m enjoying having shoulder length hair now and can’t wait until it’s much longer. I definitely feel more feminine and am at peace knowing God smiles when we are obedient to something HE stirs in our heart. It was a blessing to get to have a conversation today with my young daughters about this topic.
Joanna
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