Bible Encyclopedias
Veil

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(or Vail [q.v.]) is an essential article of female apparel in the East.(See DRESS).

I. Original Terms. — These may be divided, for the sake of convenient and clear treatment, into several classes.

(I

.) General. — The following words (which, however, are the only ones rendered "vail" or "veil" in the A. V. as an article of dress) may be explained to be rather shawls, or mantles, which might at pleasure be drawn over the face, but not designed for the special purpose of veils, or for concealment of the features alone.

1. Mitpá chath (מַטְפִּחִת, from טָפִח, to expand) denotes the wide outer and upper garment of a female (see Schroder, De Vestit. Mulier. Heb. c. 16), and is rendered "vail" in Ruth 3, 15; "wimple" in Isaiah 3, 22. It evidently was one of the wrappers of different kinds in which the Eastern women envelop themselves when they quit their houses, These are of great amplitude, and, among the common people, of strong and coarse texture, like that in which Ruth carried home her corn (Ruth 3:15). The illustration will show how sufficient the out-door veils of the Eastern women are for such a use. (See WIMPLE).

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