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The Historic Faith
Scripture Topic Guide

Bible Verses About Men Covering Their Heads In Worship

Early Christian teaching is mixed on head covering for men in worship: 1 Corinthians 11:4-7 is the direct Bible text used most often, and Tertullian clearly says a Christian man should not cover his head in prayer. But the strongest early Christian witness in this set is mostly about women covering their heads, not men, so the male practice is supported by fewer direct early writers than the female rule.

Some later liturgical and moral texts also mention covered heads, but many of those are about women or are only background uses of the word head. Overall, the case for men praying with uncovered heads is real and direct in the Bible and in Tertullian, while the broader patristic record is thinner than the topic title may suggest.

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Key Passages

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How to Study Men Covering Their Heads In Worship

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Scripture Map

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25 references

Foundation Texts

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Direct Bible wording against a covered head for men in prayer

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

Direct Bible wording that an uncovered woman dishonors her head

Supporting Passages

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

Explains the honor reason behind the male rule

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Direct Bible question about a woman praying uncovered

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Direct Bible wording about a symbol on the woman's head

And the man bowed down his head, and worshipped the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the LORD, worshipping the LORD.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins; they shall not gird themselves with any thing that causeth sweat.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when they had stripped him, they took his head, and his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to carry tidings unto their idols, and to the people.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

He hath stripped me of my glory, and taken the crown from my head.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews!

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the LORD,

Scripture passage attached to the early Christian evidence page.