Definition and Cultural Context:
Veils in biblical times were garments or pieces of fabric used to cover the face or head, often signifying modesty, reverence, or separation. They were commonly worn by women in various cultural and religious contexts throughout the ancient Near East. The use of veils is mentioned in several passages of the Bible, reflecting both cultural practices and spiritual symbolism.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, veils are often associated with modesty and marital customs. Genesis 24:65 describes Rebekah covering herself with a veil upon meeting Isaac, indicating her modesty and readiness for marriage: "For she had said to the servant, 'Who is that man in the field coming to meet us?' 'It is my master,' the servant answered. So she took her veil and covered herself."

Veils also appear in the context of deception and disguise. In Genesis 38:14-15, Tamar uses a veil to conceal her identity from Judah: "So she took off her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and sat down at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah had grown up, but she had not been given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face."

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance:
Veils carry significant symbolic meaning in the Bible, often representing separation or a barrier between humanity and the divine. In Exodus 26:33, the veil in the Tabernacle separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, signifying the holiness of God and the separation from sin: "Hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the testimony behind the veil. The veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place."

The tearing of the temple veil at the moment of Jesus' death, as recorded in Matthew 27:51, symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, granting believers direct access to God through Christ: "At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split."

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of veiling in the context of worship and propriety. In 1 Corinthians 11:4-7, Paul discusses the practice of women covering their heads during prayer or prophecy as a sign of authority and respect: "Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is just as if her head were shaved. If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. And if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head."

Cultural and Theological Implications:
The use of veils in biblical times reflects broader cultural norms regarding gender roles, modesty, and religious practice. While the specific practices and interpretations of veiling have evolved over time, the underlying principles of modesty, respect, and reverence remain significant in many Christian traditions. The veil serves as a powerful symbol of the relationship between humanity and God, illustrating themes of separation, holiness, and redemption through Christ.4555. mispachah -- a long veil
... 4554, 4555. mispachah. 4556 . a long veil. Transliteration: mispachah
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-paw-khaw') Short Definition: veils. ...
/hebrew/4555.htm - 6k

7479. realah -- probably a veil
... 7478, 7479. realah. 7480 . probably a veil. Transliteration: realah Phonetic
Spelling: (rah-al-aw') Short Definition: veils. Word ...
/hebrew/7479.htm - 6k

5844a. atah -- to wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself
... root Definition to wrap oneself, enwrap, envelop oneself NASB Word Usage cover
(5), covered (2), covering (1), covers (2), veils (1), wrap himself (1), wrapped ...
/hebrew/5844a.htm - 5k

7289. radid -- a wide wrapper, large veil
... Definition: shawl. Word Origin from radad Definition a wide wrapper, large
veil NASB Word Usage shawl (1), veils (1). vail, veil. From ...
/hebrew/7289.htm - 6k

Of the Agreement of the Evangelists Matthew and Luke in the ...
... Honour in Him then what as yet thou understandest not, and so much the more as the
veils which thou seest are more in number: for the higher in honour any one ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon i of the agreement.htm

Epistle Xliv. To Rusticiana, Patrician .
... lord Symmachus, finding me ill from pains of gout and almost despaired of, deferred
giving me your letters, and gave them long after the veils had been received ...
/.../epistle xliv to rusticiana patrician.htm

The Veil Over all Nations
... sin? I. Sin veils God from men's sight. It ... Him. Nor is it 'the veils of flesh
and sense,' as we often hear it said, that hide Him. But ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the veil over all nations.htm

Transformation by Beholding
... "No man hath seen God at any time, nor can see Him"; and besides that absolute
impossibility, have we not veils of flesh and sense, to say ... Away with all veils! ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/transformation by beholding.htm

O Food to Pilgrims Given
... 3. We love Thee, Jesu tender Who hid'st Thine awful splendor Beneath these veils
of grace: O let the veils be riven, And our clear eye in heaven Behold Thee ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 57 o food to.htm

Whether the Prophecy which is Accompanied by Intellective and ...
... i) that "it is impossible for the Divine ray to shine on us, except as screened
round about by the many-colored sacred veils." Now the prophetic revelation is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the prophecy which is.htm

The Guide into all Truth
... A wise oculist does not flood that eye with full sunshine, but he puts on veils
and bandages, and closes the shutters, and lets a stray beam, ever growing as ...
/.../the guide into all truth.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... Breastplate (xxxvi.15"29). Veils (xxxvi.35"38). ... Veils (xxxvii.3"6). Altar
of Burnt-offering (xxxviii.1"7). Court (xxxvii.7"18). ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

A Seraph's Wings
... in which we 'behold the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father.' All the tempering
that the divine lustre needed has been done by Him who veils His glory ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a seraphs wings.htm

A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday.
... the holy women who did not leave the Cenaculum retired to take their rest in the
cell-like compartments spoken of above: they fastened long veils over their ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lviii a glance at.htm

Veils (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Veils (5 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Isaiah 3:19 the
earrings, the bracelets, the veils, (WEB JPS DBY NAS NIV). ...
/v/veils.htm - 7k

Veil (67 Occurrences)
... Rebekah "took a vail and covered herself." (See also 38:14, 19.) Hebrew women generally
appeared in public without veils (12:14; 24:16; 29:10; 1 Samuel 1:12). ...
/v/veil.htm - 35k

Veiling (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Veil. 2. (n.) A veil; a thin covering; also, material for
making veils. Multi-Version Concordance Veiling (2 Occurrences). ...
/v/veiling.htm - 7k

Vein (1 Occurrence)

/v/vein.htm - 8k

Vail (44 Occurrences)
... Rebekah "took a vail and covered herself." (See also 38:14, 19.) Hebrew women generally
appeared in public without veils (12:14; 24:16; 29:10; 1 Samuel 1:12). ...
/v/vail.htm - 22k

Kerchief
... They were apparently long veils or coverings put over the heads of those consulting
the false prophetesses and reaching down to the feet, for they were for ...
/k/kerchief.htm - 7k

Undergarments (6 Occurrences)
... water. (See NAS NIV). Isaiah 3:23 The looking-glasses, and the fair linen,
and the high head-dresses, and the veils. (See NAS). Ezekiel ...
/u/undergarments.htm - 8k

Looking-glasses (2 Occurrences)
... (BBE WBS YLT). Isaiah 3:23 The looking-glasses, and the fair linen, and the high
head-dresses, and the veils. (BBE). Lookingglasses, Looking-glasses. Lookout ...
/l/looking-glasses.htm - 7k

Gauze (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gauze (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 3:23 the hand-mirrors, and
the fine linen, and the turbans, and the veils. (See JPS RSV). ...
/g/gauze.htm - 7k

What does the Bible say about hair length? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about wearing hats in church? | GotQuestions.org

Has anyone ever seen God? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus