What is a…
lock in the Bible

This English word has two different meanings in Scripture.

  1. Door or box lock

    The Hebrews usually secured their doors by bars of wood or iron (Isaiah 45:2; 1 Kings 4:3).

    Some were locked and unlocked by large keys applied through an opening in the outside (Judges 3:24). (See KEY.)

  2. Lock of hair

    …weave the seven locks of my hair with the web [and fasten it with a pin… —Judges 16:13 NASB excerpt

    She made him sleep on her knees, and called for a man and had him shave off the seven locks of his hair. Then she began to afflict him, and his strength left him. —Judges 16:19 NASB

    …caught me by a lock of my head… —Ezekiel 8:3 NASB excerpt

    ‘All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall pass over his head. He shall be holy until the days are fulfilled for which he separated himself to the Lord; he shall let the locks of hair on his head grow long. —Numbers 6:5 NASB

    See: hair and Nazarites

Article Version: October 12, 2021