Veil, vail @ (1.) Heb. mitpahath Ruth:3:15; marg., "sheet" or "apron;" R.V., "mantle"). In Isaiah:3:22 this word is plural, rendered "wimples;" R.V., "shawls" i.e., wraps. (2.) Massekah Isaiah:25:7; in Isaiah:28:20 rendered "covering"). The word denotes something spread out and covering or concealing something else (comp. 2Corinthians:3:13-15). (3.) Masveh Exodus:34:33-35), the veil on the face of Moses. This verse should be read, "And when Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face," as in the Revised Version. When Moses spoke to them he was without the veil; only when he ceased speaking he put on the veil (comp. 2Corinthians:3:13, etc.). (4.) Paroheth Exodus:26:31-35), the veil of the tabernacle and the temple, which hung between the holy place and the most holy ( 2Chronicals:3:14). In the temple a partition wall separated these two places. In it were two folding-doors, which are supposed to have been always open, the entrance being concealed by the veil which the high priest lifted when he entered into the sanctuary on the day of Atonement. This veil was rent when Christ died on the cross Matthew:27:51; Mark:15:38; Luke:23:45). (5.) Tza'iph Genesis:24:65). 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; 1Samuel:1:12). (6.) Radhidh (Cant. 5:7, R.V. "mantle;" Isaiah:3:23). The word probably denotes some kind of cloak or wrapper. (7.) Masak, the veil which hung before the entrance to the holy place Exodus:26:36-37).
VEIL @ - With regard to the use of the veil, it is important to observe that it was by no means so general in ancient as in modern times. Much of the scrupulousness in respect of the use of the veil dates from the promulgation of the Koran, which forbade women appearing unveiled except in the presence of their nearest relatives. In ancient times the veil was adopted only in exceptional cases, either as an article of ornamental dress, (Solomon 4:1-3; 6:7) or by betrothed maidens in the presence of their future husbands, especially at the time of the wedding, Genesis:24:65) or lastly, by women of loose character for purposes of concealment. Genesis:38:14) Among the Jews of the New Testament age it appears to have been customary for the women to cover their heads (not necessarily their faces) when engaged in public worship.
VEIL OF THE TABERNACLE AND TEMPLE @ - [TABERNACLE; TEMPLE]
