The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Kingdoms (2 Samuel) 14:26Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And when he polled his hair (now he was polled once a year, because his hair was burdensome to him) he weighed the hair of his head at two hundred sicles, according to the common weight.

Douay-Rheims

וּֽבְגַלְּחוֹ֮ אֶת־רֹאשׁוֹ֒ וְֽ֠הָיָה מִקֵּ֨ץ יָמִ֤ים ׀ לַיָּמִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר יְגַלֵּ֔חַ כִּֽי־כָבֵ֥ד עָלָ֖יו וְגִלְּח֑וֹ וְשָׁקַל֙ אֶת־שְׂעַ֣ר רֹאשׁ֔וֹ מָאתַ֥יִם שְׁקָלִ֖ים בְּאֶ֥בֶן הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

One Church Father comments on this verse

John Chrysostom

4th centuryChurch Father

There are numerous natural attributes found in wicked individuals. Take Absalom, for instance, who was striking and handsome; even the beauty of his body extended to the curls of his hair. Yet, this physical appearance offered him no advantage.

Let young men beautify themselves by adhering to God's commandments and refrain from exhibiting the malice of Absalom. His desire for wrongdoing clouded his judgment, as symbolized by the abundant growth of his hair—representative of lifelessness. In fact, it was his hair that led to his demise when he became ensnared by it in an oak tree, as chronicled in the annals of the kings. Regrettably, even today, one can find imitators who flaunt long locks and curls, surpassing even the intricacies of women's adornments with their lavish styles.

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In their foolishness, they fail to realize that they bring greater shame upon themselves, as the Apostle points out: "If a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him" (1 Corinthians 11:14). This behavior is reminiscent of the Greeks, whom Homer referred to as the curly-haired Achaeans. Esteemed physicians also echo this sentiment. Therefore, let us choose to maintain a modest hairstyle in accordance with the traditions of the ancients and avoid allowing it to cascade down to our heels or shoulders, as such an appearance brings dishonor to a man, as we have learned from the Apostle.

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