Bible Encyclopedias
Covering, for the Head

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

kuv´ẽr -ing , (περιβόλαιον , peribólaion ): Mentioned in the New Testament only in 1 Corinthians 11:15 : "For her hair is given her for a covering," literally, "something cast round," probably equivalent to "veil" (which see). Read in the light of the context: "Every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head" ( 1 Corinthians 11:5 ). The meaning would seem to be that Nature itself, in providing women with a natural veil, has taught the lesson underlying the prevailing custom, that woman should not be unveiled in the public assemblies.