Biblical Hebrew Forum

["Charles David Isbell" <cisbell AT home.com>]

cisbell AT home.com writes:
Not only does Gordon note literary links between Samson and Enkidu, but he
also comments on the motif of long hair going hand in hand with
extra-ordinary strength.  Not only biblical Samson, but also Esau and
Avshalom exhibit these dual characteristics.  The heroic Achaeans are also
described as "long-haired" and Gordon mentions "the Minoan insistence on
long hair for men" (p. 62).
Gordon's student, Harry Hoffner, has also worked extensively in this field.

gfsomsel suggests:
Perhaps you misremember slightly.  Esau is said to have been a "hairy man",
but he is not said to have had long hair.  The one who is noted for his long
hair which proved to be his undoing was David's son Absalom.

gfsomsel

Isbell answers:

Actually I am not just remembering, but reading Gordon's book.  On page 62,
he links Esau with Samson and Avshalom.  His exact sentence is:  "The mighty
Esau was born ruddy and hairy (Genesis 25:25), two sure signs that he was
destined to be a mighty man."