Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VEIL

A cloth covering used to conceal the face or head (Heb. ṣāʿîp). It is usually a separate garment, but could also be part of the outer garments drawn up and over the head (1 Kgs. 19:13). The male version of the veil is the turban made of linen or other fabric that was worn by priests (Exod. 29:6; Zech. 3:5) and royalty (Ezek. 21:26[MT 31]).

Although women were not covered at all times, in biblical references the veil is associated with them more often than with men. The veil identifies a woman as a prostitute (Gen. 38:14-15, 19), though it was apparently also part of the finery worn by royal (Isa. 47:2) and haughty (3:23) women. An air of mystery could also be added by this garment, enabling it to contribute to the beauty of a woman (Cant. 4:1, 3; 6:7). Rebekah wore a veil when she met Isaac on her wedding day (Gen. 24:65); this may be indicative of her status as a single woman (though single women elsewhere do not always go veiled) or may be part of a woman’s bridal attire. The presence of a bridal veil could explain why Jacob did not realize that he had been deceived into marriage with Leah instead of Rachel (Gen. 29:18-25).

Moses used a veil to hide his shining face after he had spoken to the Lord on Mt. Sinai (Exod. 34:33-35) so that he would no longer induce fear among his people. Paul explains this veil as a means by which the temporary nature of the old covenant could be disguised (2 Cor. 3:13) and uses it metaphorically to explain Jewish misunderstanding of the Scriptures (2 Cor. 3:14-18).

Katharine A. Mackay

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VEIL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)