King James Bible Dictionary

BALD, adjective bauld.

1. Destitute of hair, especially on the top and back of the head.

2. Destitute of the natural covering; as a bald oak.

3. Without feathers on the head; as a bald vulture.

4. Destitute of trees on the top; as a bald mountain.

5. Unadorned; inelegant; as a bald translation.

6. Mean; naked; base; without dignity or value.

7. In popular language, open, bold, audacious.

8. Without beard or awn; as bald wheat.

BALD'A-CHIN,

BALD'AQUIN, noun In architecture, a building in form of a canopy, supported by columns, and often used as a covering to insulated altars; sometimes used for a shell over a door.

17

BALD'ERDASH, noun Mean, senseless prate; a jargon of words; ribaldry; anything jumbled together without judgment.

BALD'ERDASH, verb transitive To mix or adulterate liquors.

BALDL'LY, adverb Nakedly; meanly; inelegantly; openly.

From natural causes was uncommon (2 Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:24). It was included apparently under "scab" and "scurf," which disqualified for the priesthood (Leviticus 21:20). The Egyptians were rarely subject to it. This probably arose from their custom of constantly shaving the head, only allowing the hair to grow as a sign of mourning. With the Jews artificial baldness was a sign of mourning (Isaiah 22:12; Jeremiah 7:29; 16:6); it also marked the conclusion of a Nazarite's vow (Acts 18:18; 21:24; Numbers 6:9). It is often alluded to (Micah 1:16; Amos 8:10; Jeremiah 47:5). The Jews were forbidden to follow the customs of surrounding nations in making themselves bald (Deuteronomy 14:1).

General references
Leviticus 13:40-41

A judgment
Isaiah 3:24; Jeremiah 47:5; Jeremiah 48:37; Ezekiel 7:18

Artificial, a sign of mourning
Isaiah 22:12; Jeremiah 16:6; Ezekiel 27:31; Ezekiel 29:18; Amos 8:10; Micah 1:16

Artificial, as an idolatrous practice, forbidden
Leviticus 21:5; Deuteronomy 14:1

Instances of, Elisha
2 Kings 2:23

Natural baldness seems to have been uncommon, since it exposed people to public derision. (Leviticus 13:29; 2 Kings 2:23; Isaiah 3:24; 15:2; Jeremiah 47:5; Ezekiel 7:18) Artificial baldness marked the conclusion of a Nazarite's vow, (Numbers 6:9; Acts 18:18) and was a sign of mourning.

BALD'NESS, noun Want of hair on the top and back of the head; loss of hair; meanness or inelegance of writing; want of ornament.

BALD'PATE, noun A pate without hair.

BALD'PATED, adjective Destitute of hair; shorn of hair.

BALD'RICK, noun [Latin balleus, a belt, and rick, rich. See these words.]

1. A girdle, or richly ornamented belt; a war girdle.

A radiant baldrick o'er his shoulders tied.

2. The zodiac.