Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
BALD'NESS, when voluntary, was a token of mourning and great distress, Isa 3:24; Eze 7:18, or else showed the conclusion of a Nazarite's vow. Num 6:9. Natural baldness seems to have been uncommon. "Bald head" was a cry of contempt, 2 Kgs 2:23, because it was generally caused by leprosy. Lev 13:40-43. The people, and especially the priests, were forbidden to make themselves bald, since this was a heathen custom. Lev 21:5; Deut 14:1; Eze 44:20.