κόμη (komē)
komē
hair
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun komē refers specifically to the hair on the head. It appears only once in the New Testament, in First Corinthians 11:15, where Paul discusses cultural norms regarding gender and appearance. The word distinguishes itself from other Greek terms for hair by often implying long or flowing locks rather than just the general substance of hair.
In its single biblical occurrence, the term carries significant weight in Paul’s argument about head coverings. He suggests that long hair is a natural disgrace for men but a glory for women, using komē to denote a visible, distinguishing feature of gender identity in the first-century context. This usage highlights how physical appearance served as a marker of social and theological order in early Christian communities.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word komē refers specifically to the hair on one's head, often implying long or flowing locks rather than just the general substance of hair. In its single biblical occurrence, it carries significant weight in Paul’s argument about head coverings and cultural norms regarding gender.
Paul suggests that long hair is a natural disgrace for men but a glory for women, using komē to denote a visible, distinguishing feature of gender identity in the first-century context. This usage highlights how physical appearance served as a marker of social and theological order in early Christian communities.
Understanding this word helps us see how Paul used familiar cultural markers to teach about order and propriety. It invites reflection on how our outward appearance can reflect inner values, while reminding us that God looks at the heart above all else.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- long hair1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κόμη1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 11:15
But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her, for her hair is given to her for a covering.
This is the only occurrence of komē in the New Testament, where Paul uses it to argue that long hair serves as a natural covering and glory for women.