RAZOR HADATTAH (ha'z'O'r ha-dat'tah), NCNV Hazor " (Josh. xv:25). (See HADATTAIL) HE (he). The form of this letter is 71.
The fifth letter of the Hcbrew alphabet. The English letter E has the same origin, but is a vowel. Where "he" preserves its power as a con sonant in Hebrew names, and properly at other limes, it is represented by "li" in the English form; as in Abraham.
It stands at the head of the fifth section of Ps. cxix, since each verse in the section begins with this letter in the original.
Through sonic s.imilarity of form combined with careless writing and slight effacement of the text, it was sometimes misread as aleph on the one hand and tau on the othcr. (Davis, Bib. Dict.) HEAD (hiid), (Heb.1.1`g"), roshe; Gr. KecbaXi, As the head is the topmost part of the hu man body', it came derivatively to signify, that which is highest, chief, the highest in position locally being regarded as highest in office, rank, or dignity: whence, as the head is the center of the nervous system, holds the brain, and stands above all the other parts, Plato regarded it as thc scat of the deathless soul; and it has gcverally been considered as the abode of the intellect or intelli gence by which man is enlighttned and his walk in life directed; while the heart, or thc parts placed ncar it, have bcen accountcd the place where the affections lic (Gen. iii :15; Ps. iii:3; Eccles. ii :14). The head and the heart arc some times taken for the entire person (Is. i :5). Even the head alone, as being the chief member, fre quently stands for the man (Prov. x :6). The head also denotes sovereignty, ( Cor xi:3). Cov ering the head, and cutting off the hair, were sig-ns of mourning and tokens of distress, which were enhanced by throwing ashes on the head, together with sackcloth (Amos viii :to; Job i :20 ; Lev. xxi: 5 ; Dent. xiv :/ ; 2 Sam. xiii:19; Esther iv :/) while anointing the head was practiced on festive occasions, and considered an emblem of felicity (Eccles. ix :8; Ps. xxiii :5; Luke vii :46). It was usual to swear by the head (Matt. v :36).
The general character of the human head is such as to establish the idcntity of the human race, and to distinguish man from every other animal. At the same time different families of
mankind are markcd by peculiarities of construc tion of the head, which, (hough they run one into the other to the entire loss of distinctive lines, in individual cases, and when extremes arc compared together, yet are in the main broadly contrasted one with the other. These peculiarities in the structure of the skull give rise to and are connected with other peculiarities of feature and general contour of face. In the union of cranial Peculiarities with those of the face, certain clear marks are presented, by, which physiologists have been able to range the individuals of our race into a few great classes, and in so doing to afford an unintentional corroboration of the information which the Scriptures afford regarding the origin and dispersion of mankind.
Physiologists have established five classes of heads corresponding with five great families. (1) The Caucasian family, comprising the nations of Europe, some of the Western Asiatics, etc., have the head of the most symmetrical shape, almost round, the forehead of moderate extent, the. cheek bones rather narrow, without any projection, but a direction downwards from the molar process of the frontal bone; the alveolar edge well rounded; the front teeth of each jaw placed perpendicularly; the face of oval shape, straight, features moderately prominent ; fore head arched ; nose narrow, slightly arched; mouth small ; chin full and round. (2) The second is the Mongolian variety. (3) Ethiopian. (4) Malay and South Sea Islanders. (5) American.
J. R. B.
Customs. Anointing the head was a common practice amongst the Jews (Ps. xxiii :5; Matt. vi: 17 ; xxvi :7 ; Mark xiv :3 ; Luke vii :46). (See ANOINTING.) To cover (nr.,1) the head was a token of mourning f.2 Sam. xv:3o). David and his men when fleeing from Absalom (Jer. xiv:3; Esth. vi:i2). The same was expressed by Putting the hand upon the head (2 Sam. xiii:to Tamar after Amnon's outrage), or putting ashes (41P3) or earth (7"Wki) upon it (Josh. vii:6; I Sam. iv:t2; 2 Sam. i:2.; xiii:t9; Lam. ii:to).