A headband, the most common form of headdress worn in Syria and Palestine in OT times. The Torah enjoins that certain of God’s teachings (
Deut 6:8;
Deut 11:18) and rites commemorating the exodus (
Exod 13:16; cf. v. 9 ) are to “serve as a frontlet on [the] forehead” (
Deut 14:1).
Deut 6:8
8Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead,
Deut 11:18
18You shall put these words of mine in your heart and soul, and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and fix them as an emblem on your forehead.
Exod 13:16
16It shall serve as a sign on your hand and as an emblem on your forehead that by strength of hand the Lord brought us out of Egypt.”
Deut 14:1
Pagan Practices Forbidden
1You are children of the Lord your God. You must not lacerate yourselves or shave your forelocks for the dead.
