Bible Dictionary
Veil, vail
The Bible uses “veil” for several kinds of coverings, including garments, shawls, Moses’ face covering, and the curtains at the entrances and inner division of the tabernacle. The temple veil symbolized restricted access to the holy presence of God.
Definition
The Bible uses “veil” for several coverings, including a mantle or shawl, a covering spread over something, the covering of Moses’ face, and curtains at the entrances and inner division of the tabernacle and temple.
Biblical Usage
Moses wore a veil after speaking with the people. The tabernacle veil separated the holy place from the Most Holy Place, while another curtain hung before the holy place. The inner veil was torn when Christ died.
Historical Background
The Hebrew terms describe wraps, shawls, cloaks, face coverings, and sanctuary curtains. Hebrew women generally appeared in public without veils, while Rebekah and Tamar are specifically described as covering themselves.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(1.) Heb. mitpahath (Ruth 3:15; marg., “sheet” or “apron;” R.V., “mantle”). In Isa. 3:22 this word is plural, rendered “wimples;” R.V., “shawls” i.e., wraps. (2.) Massekah (Isa. 25:7; in Isa. 28:20 rendered “covering”). The word denotes something spread out and covering or concealing something else (comp. 2 Cor. 3:13-15). (3.) Masveh (Ex. 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. 2 Cor. 3:13, etc.). (4.) Paroheth (Ex. 26:31-35), the veil of the tabernacle and the temple, which hung between the holy place and the most holy (2 Chr. 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 (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). (5.) Tza’iph (Gen. 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; 1 Sam. 1:12). (6.) Radhidh (Cant. 5:7, R.V. “mantle;” Isa. 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 (Ex. 26:36, 37).