Dictionary of Bible Themes – 5157 head
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5157 head

5157 head

The position of the head often expresses an attitude or emotion. Figuratively head may mean “chief”, “first” or “top”.

The head as part of the body

Heads of people Ge 28:11,18; Ge 48:14,17; Jdg 5:26; SS 2:6; Jnh 2:5

Heads of animals Ex 12:9; Lev 1:4; 2Ki 6:25 “head of cattle” refers to the number of cattle: Ex 22:1; 1Ki 4:23; 2Ch 15:11; 2Ch 35:9

Heads of idols 1Sa 5:4; 1Sa 19:13,16

The head as the uppermost part of the body

Lev 13:12; 2Sa 14:25; Job 2:7; Isa 1:6; Hab 3:13; Jn 13:9

A measure of height 1Sa 9:2; 1Sa 10:23

A crown worn on the head 2Sa 1:10; Est 2:17; Ps 21:3; Jer 13:18; La 5:16; Zec 6:11

A turban worn on the head Lev 8:9; Eze 23:15; Zec 3:5

Death and decapitation Ge 40:19; 1Sa 17:46,51; 2Sa 4:7; 2Sa 16:9; Mt 14:8-11 pp Mk 6:24-28

Head used figuratively in various expressions

“Be it on one’s own head”: personal responsibility that is inescapable Lev 20:9,11-13,27; Jos 2:19; 1Sa 25:39; 2Sa 1:16; 1Ki 2:33; Eze 9:10; Eze 33:4-5

“To come back on one’s own head”: a wrongdoer suffering the very wrong he or she has committed 1Ki 8:32 pp 2Ch 6:23; Ne 4:4; Est 9:25; Ps 7:16; Ps 140:9; Joel 3:4,7; Ob 15

“To heap burning coals on his head”: generosity towards an enemy in the hope of causing a change of heart Pr 25:22; Ro 12:20

“Not a hair on one’s head will be lost”: absolute safety 1Sa 14:45; 1Ki 1:52; Da 3:27; Lk 12:7; Ac 27:34

“To keep one’s head”: staying calm 2Ti 4:5

“Making it up out of one’s head”: imagining something Ne 6:8

“Blessing resting on your head” Ge 49:26; Dt 33:16; Pr 10:6; Isa 35:10; Isa 51:11

Rituals concerning the head

Cleansing after infectious skin diseases: Lev 14:9,18,29 Provisions connected with the Nazirite vow: Nu 6:9; Jdg 13:5; Jdg 16:17; 1Sa 1:11
Dt 21:12

The anointing of the head Ex 29:7; Lev 8:12; Mt 26:7 pp Mk 14:3

Covering or uncovering the head in Christian worship

1Co 11:4-7,10,13-15

Expressions of grief involving the head

Bowing the head Ps 35:14; La 2:10

Shaving the head Dt 14:1; Isa 15:2; Jer 47:5; Jer 48:37; Eze 7:18; Eze 27:30-31; Eze 44:20; Am 8:10; Mic 1:16

Putting dust on the head Jos 7:6; 1Sa 4:12; 2Sa 1:2; 2Sa 15:32; Ne 9:1; Job 2:12

Covering the head 2Sa 15:30; Est 6:12; Jer 14:3-4

Various attitudes expressed with the head

Lifting up the head in joy and expectation Ps 3:3; Ps 27:6; Ps 110:7; Lk 21:28

Bowing the head in humility Isa 58:5; Lk 18:13

Hanging the head in shame and dejection Jdg 8:28; Job 10:15

Shaking the head in scorn 2Ki 19:21 pp Isa 37:22; Job 16:4; Ps 109:25; Jer 18:16; Jer 48:27; La 2:15; Mt 27:39 pp Mk 15:29; Ps 22:7

Rearing the head in rebellion Ps 83:2

Head meaning “chief” or “first”

Jesus Christ as the head 1Co 11:3; Eph 1:10,22; Eph 5:23; Col 1:18; Col 2:10,19

The head of a family, tribe or kingdom Ex 6:14,25; Nu 1:4; Nu 17:3; Jdg 11:8-9; Isa 7:8-9; Isa 9:14-15

Man as the head 1Co 11:3; Eph 5:23

Head meaning “top”

Head of a street Pr 1:21; Isa 51:20; La 2:19; La 4:1; Eze 16:25; Na 3:10

Head of a valley Isa 28:1,4

Head of a table 1Sa 9:22

Head of a stalk of grain Lev 2:14; Hos 8:7

Head of an axe Dt 19:5; 2Ki 6:5

Head meaning “front”

2Ch 20:21; Joel 2:11

See also

2069Christ, pre-eminence
2212Christ, head of church
5051responsibility
5155hair
5158head-covering
5180shaving
5215authority
5280crown
5419mourning
5700headship
5865gestures
7304anointing

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