Veil
Summary
The veil was a garment used in biblical times for various purposes including modesty, concealment, and religious symbolism, ranging from ample outer wraps to light face coverings.
☩Hebrew Terms for Veils
Several Hebrew words describe different types of veils. The mitpachath was a wide outer garment rendered 'vail' in Ruth 3:15 and 'wimple' in Isaiah 3:22, strong enough to carry grain. The tsa'iph, used in Genesis 24:65 and 38:14-19, was an ample wrapper worn outdoors that concealed the face—Judah could not recognize Tamar when she wore one. The radid in Song of Solomon 5:7 and Isaiah 3:23 was another large, loose upper covering of finer materials. The masveh, used only of Moses' veil in Exodus 34:33-35, was assumed to conceal the glory on his face after descending from Mount Sinai. Paul designates this with the Greek word kalumma, meaning 'a covering.'
☩Types of Indoor Veils
Eastern women also wore lighter indoor veils of muslin or similar fabric attached to the headdress and falling over the back. The re'aloth were light veils called 'mufflers' in Isaiah 3:19, named from their rustling motion. The Mishna describes these as slender pieces fastened above the eyes with one part thrown over the head and the other shading the face. The tsammah in Song of Solomon 4:1, 3 and 6:7 may also refer to a decorative veil worn by well-dressed women.
☩Ancient Usage
In ancient times, the veil was not universally worn as in modern Islamic practice. Women used it as ornamental dress, by betrothed maidens meeting their future husbands especially at weddings, or by women of loose character for concealment. Rebekah veiled herself upon meeting Isaac, conforming to etiquette requiring the veiling of brides. In Genesis 38, Tamar's use of the veil was partly to avoid recognition and possibly in parody of the marriage custom. Egyptian women of the Pharaonic period exposed their faces freely, and this changed only after Persian conquest. The widespread veiling of women dates largely from Islamic influence and the Koran.
☩The Temple Veil
The most significant veil in biblical symbolism was the katapetasma, the curtain dividing the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in both Tabernacle and Temple. It was suspended upon four pillars overlaid with gold and made of fine tapestry. Only the high priest could enter beyond it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. When Jesus died, 'the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom,' symbolizing the end of separation between God and humanity. In Hebrews 10:20, the veil is allegorized as Christ's flesh—rent that He might enter heaven and become a path-finder for all seekers of immortality.
☩New Testament Practice
Among Greeks and Romans of New Testament times, reputable women wore veils in public, and appearing without one was considered brazen or worse. Tarsus, Paul's home city, was especially noted for strictness in this regard. Hence Paul's directions in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 have their basis in the social proprieties of the time, where women's head covering in worship signified subjection to their husbands. Paul argues that a woman praying or prophesying with uncovered head dishonors her husband.
Related Verses13 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Veil," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. X (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Veil (1)," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. V (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Veil," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Veil," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Veil," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 6.James Hastings (ed.), "Veil," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).