# head

## Definition:

In the Bible, the word "head" is used with several figurative meanings.

* Often this term is used to refer to a ruler or to someone who has authority over people, as in "you have made me the head over nations." 
* Jesus is called the "head of the church." Just as a person's head guides and directs the members of its body, so Jesus guides and directs the members of his "body," the Church.
* The New Testament teaches that a husband is the "head" or authority of his wife. He is given the responsibility of leading and guiding his wife and family.
* The term "head" can also represent the whole person, as in "this gray head," referring to an elderly person, or as in "the head of Joseph," which refers to Joseph. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-synecdoche]])
* The expression "no razor will ever touch his head" means" he will never cut or shave his hair."
* The expression "let their blood be on his own head" means that the man is responsible for their deaths and will receive the punishment for that.
* The expression "heads of grain" refers to the top parts of a wheat or barley plant that contains the seeds.
* The term "head" can also refer to the beginning or source of something, as in the "head of the street."

## Picture of a Head:

<a href="https://content.bibletranslationtools.org/WycliffeAssociates/en_tw/raw/branch/master/PNGs/h/Head.png"><img src="https://content.bibletranslationtools.org/WycliffeAssociates/en_tw/raw/branch/master/PNGs/h/Head.png" ></a>

## Translation Suggestions

* Depending on the context, the term "head" could be translated as "ruler" or "the one who leads and directs" or "the one who is responsible for."
* The expression "head of" can refer to the whole person and so this expression could be translated using just the person's name. For example, "the head of Joseph" could simply be translated as "Joseph."
* The expression "will be on his own head" could be translated as "will be on him" or "he will be punished for" or "he will be held responsible for" or "he will be considered guilty for."
* Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include "beginning" or "source" or "ruler" or "leader" or "top."

(See also: [grain](../other/grain.md))

## Bible References:

* [1 Chronicles 01:51-54](rc://en/tn/help/1ch/01/51)
* [1 Kings 08:1-2](rc://en/tn/help/1ki/08/01)
* [1 Samuel 09:22](rc://en/tn/help/1sa/09/22)
* [Colossians 02:10](rc://en/tn/help/col/02/10)
* [Colossians 02:19](rc://en/tn/help/col/02/19)
* [Numbers 01:04](rc://en/tn/help/num/01/04)

## Word Data:

* Strong's: H441, H1538, H4425, H4761, H4763, H5110, H5324, H6285, H6915, H6936, H7139, H7144, H7146, H7217, H7226, H7218, H7541, H7636, H7641, H7872, G346, G755, G2775, G2776, G4719

## Forms Found in the English ULB:

head, heads


