κομάω
komáō
G2863 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To let the hair grow long, to wear long hair, especially in reference to the head hair that is not cut short or cropped. In extended and specific contexts, may also refer to having hair styled or arranged in an elaborate fashion, though the emphasis is on the unshorn state rather than style.
Semantic Range
to let hair grow long, to wear long hair, to have uncut hair, to allow natural hair growth, to display locks or tresses
Root / Etymology
From the noun κόμη ('hair of the head, long hair'), a common ancient Greek term for the head hair or hair locks, with the verbative suffix -άω indicating action or state.
Historical & Contextual Notes
κομάω is attested in classical, Hellenistic, and Koine Greek, generally describing the act or state of wearing (especially letting grow) long hair, regardless of gender. In many Greek contexts, including in philosophical and cultural discussions (e.g., Plato, Xenophon), κομάω described both men's and women's hair practices, sometimes with positive or negative social connotations (e.g., luxury, softness, effeminacy). In the New Testament (notably 1 Corinthians 11:14-15), κομάω is used in the context of discussions about propriety, gender norms, and social customs regarding hair; it does not explicitly specify a particular style but refers to the natural state of wearing hair grown out rather than cut short. English translations often render it as 'have long hair,' but this may obscure its broader use in Greek, which sometimes includes ideas of grooming, adornment, or distinctive hair length in societal contexts.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from κόμη; to wear tresses of hair:--have long hair.
Root Family
κομ- (komáō) — hair, grow, wear
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| G2864 | κόμη | ornamental hair |
| G2865 | κομίζω | I obtained for myself |
| G4792 | συγκομίζω | they carried away together |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2863-01 |
κομᾷ | koma | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
has long hair | should wear long hair | has long hair | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G2863-01 |
1 Corinthians 11:14 | κομᾷ | koma | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
has long hair | should wear long hair | wears long hair |
G2863-01 |
1 Corinthians 11:15 | κομᾷ | koma | V PRS ACT SUBJ 3P SG |
has long hair | should wear long hair | has long hair |