Expert: Brenton Hepburn - 8/31/2006

Question
Is it true that if your a Jehovah's Witness you haveto have your hair cut short if your a guy.  Why is that?  Didn't your messiah Jesus have long hair?  So why would it be wrong for a guy to grow his hair long?

Answer
Hello

Thank you for an interesting question.

It is true that Jesus had a beard, and his hear was longer that what most men have their today.  That was part of the law of the Israelites.  Their grooming was to reflect a difference to the nations around them.

Today, we can often tell a lot by the grooming of an individual.  For example, different occupations have different “uniforms” that distinguish the from other people occupations.   A chef has a different uniform to a police officer, and an airline attendant has a different uniform, even between different airlines.  This distinguishes as to who they are,

When it comes to length of hair, different styles and lengths can tell a story about the individual as to background, occupation or hygiene.

We do not set rules as to how long the hair of a male should be, however we do follow a few Bible principles to give us a guide. For example note the next three scriptures.

(1 Peter 3:3-4) "3 And do not let YOUR adornment be that of the external braiding of the hair and of the putting on of gold ornaments or the wearing of outer garments, 4 but let it be the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible [apparel] of the quiet and mild spirit, which is of great value in the eyes of God."


(1 Timothy 2:9-10) "9 Likewise I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, 10 but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God, namely, through good works."

(1 Timothy 2:9-10) "9 Likewise I desire the women to adorn themselves in well-arranged dress, with modesty and soundness of mind, not with styles of hair braiding and gold or pearls or very expensive garb, 10 but in the way that befits women professing to reverence God, namely, through good works."

There is no rule here but principles that can adapted for men and woman, and that is our style of grooming should be modest, and clean.  What dictates that?  In a lot of instances it is the local customs. What does the general population view as acceptable!  

Even then not all local customs are adhered to.  For example, in most western societies it is customary for woman to wear very low cut bikinis.  If these become to a stage where they are considered in modest a JW woman would be advised not to wear such a garment.

In deciding what is modest and acceptable we also take into account the conscience of other people.  We do not want to have a hair length or style, or clothing that will offend someone else.  Please take note of the following texts

(Matthew 18:5-6) . . .. "6 But whoever stumbles one of these little ones who put faith in me, it is more beneficial for him to have hung around his neck a millstone such as is turned by an ass and to be sunk in the wide, open sea."

(Philippians 1:10) "10 that YOU may make sure of the more important things, so that YOU may be flawless and not be stumbling others up to the day of Christ,”

So no we do not have hard and fast rules about the length of hair. In some communities the standard might vary depending on customs and general standards, but we endeavor to be attired in such a way as one that represents God.


I hope I have been able to answer your question,

Please feel free to ask any further questions.

Brenton