The Spiritual Meaning of Grey Hair in the Bible

Most people go above and beyond to avoid having gray hair. Especially if they start getting gray hair when they’re younger. I noticed my first gray hair when I was 27, but it can happen at any age. Once it starts turning, there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Other than dyeing your hair, of course. 

While most people reject the loss of their natural hair color, the Bible only has good things to say about having gray hair. It’s a sign of aging and wisdom.

Here are a few Bible verses about gray hair and getting older that will encourage you and maybe help you embrace the change.

We should respect the gray

It’s common in many cultures to respect older people. I think America lacks some of the respect for elders that most other countries have. In Leviticus 19:32, God commands people to stand up before elderly people and have honor for gray-haired people. The respect for them goes hand-in-hand with revering God.

“You shall rise before the gray-headed and honor the aged, and you shall fear your God [with profound reverence]; I am the Lord.” 
Leviticus 19:32 AMP

“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.” 
Job 12:12 NLT

Grey hair is beautiful

In a world that’s constantly advertising ways to get rid of your gray hair, the Bible explains that it’s actually beautiful.

“The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the gray head.” 
Proverbs 20:29 KJV

When you’re young, you should be grateful that your body is strong, and you can do things that older people can’t do. In a similar fashion, when you’re older and start to see those gray hairs, view them as a thing of beauty. You have more life experience and more wisdom.

“Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.”
Proverbs 16:31 NIV

God is still with you

I’m not that old, but I can imagine that as we grow older, we start believing that our opportunities are disappearing. We think that God is more focused on the younger people who have more time on earth. 

The Bible makes it clear that even when we’re old and don’t have the physical strength or sharpness of mind, God hasn’t abandoned us.

“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.”
Isaiah 46:4-5 NIV

“He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.”
Ruth 4:15 NIV

“Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”
Psalm 71:18 NIV

I love the story of Caleb in Joshua 14. When Caleb was 40, he received a promise from God– an inheritance of land for his children. When Caleb was 85 years old, he was just as strong and equally passionate about pursuing the promises of God.

“So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.” 
Joshua 14:10-11 NIV

That’s exactly how we should act. No matter what our age is or what our body looks like, we can look to God and have faith that He will fulfill His promises. 

“They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing.” 
Psalm 92:14 NKJV