Topical Bible: Women: Veiled the Face

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, the practice of women veiling their faces is a topic that appears in various contexts throughout Scripture. The act of veiling often carried cultural, religious, and social significance, reflecting the customs and values of the societies in which these women lived.

Cultural and Social Context

Veiling was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern cultures, serving as a symbol of modesty, respectability, and sometimes marital status. It was often associated with a woman's honor and the honor of her family. The veil could signify a woman's submission to social norms and her role within the family structure.

Biblical References

One of the earliest references to veiling in the Bible is found in the account of Rebekah. In Genesis 24:65 , when Rebekah first sees Isaac, she covers herself with a veil: "and 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." This act of veiling signifies Rebekah's modesty and respect as she prepares to meet her future husband.

In the account of Tamar in Genesis 38, veiling takes on a different connotation. Tamar veils herself to disguise her identity when she meets Judah, her father-in-law. Genesis 38:14 states, "So she removed her widow’s garments, covered herself with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah." Here, the veil serves as a tool for anonymity and deception, highlighting the complexity of its use in different situations.

Religious and Symbolic Significance

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of veiling in the context of worship. In 1 Corinthians 11:5-6 , Paul writes, "And every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for 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 shameful for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off, she should cover her head." Paul’s instructions reflect the cultural expectations of the time and emphasize the importance of maintaining decorum and propriety in worship settings.

The veil, in this context, is seen as a sign of authority and respect, aligning with the order of creation and the roles established by God. It serves as a visible reminder of the distinctions between men and women and their respective roles within the church and family.

Conclusion

The practice of veiling among women in biblical times is multifaceted, encompassing cultural, social, and religious dimensions. It reflects the values and norms of ancient societies and provides insight into the roles and expectations of women within those contexts. The biblical narrative presents veiling as a practice that can convey modesty, respect, and authority, while also serving as a tool for anonymity and, at times, subversion.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 24:65
For she had said to the servant, What man is this that walks in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a veil, and covered herself.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of the Reasons Assigned by the Apostle for Bidding Women to be ...
... as belonging to their parents"for wedded women are called ... So perilous a face, then,
ought to be shaded, which ... been the duty of virgins to be veiled, as it ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter vii of the reasons assigned.htm

Answer to the Foregoing Arguments.
... for they are being transferred to the rank of "women" both in ... Be veiled, virgin,
if virgin you are; for you ought to ... Let no one wonder at your face; let no one ...
/.../tertullian/on prayer/chapter xxii answer to the foregoing.htm

Transformation by Beholding
... Moses veiled the face that shone with the irradiation of Deity. ... of the glory of God
in the face of Christ ... Take this, then, Christian men and women, as a plain ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/transformation by beholding.htm

On Clothes.
... for him who has married me." But I do not wish chaste women to afford ... it has also
been enjoined that the head should be veiled and the face covered; for it ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi name clothes.htm

Mary in the House of Caiphas.
... The holy women were closely veiled; but the sobs which ... Mary, John, and the holy women
traversed the outer ... opened, and Peter rushed out, his face covered with ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xi mary in the.htm

The Annunciation
... I saw these four women going busily about the house ... Mary turned her veiled head slightly
towards the right, but ... if at his command Mary turned her face a little ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/viii the annunciation.htm

God's Love for a Sinning World
... Let the missionaries labour, let pious women work their very fingers off to raise
funds to ... O no, he could not even behold it"but veiled his face from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/i gods love for a.htm

Death, the Friend
... feared of man' is, after all, a veiled friend, are ... is light, and this we can
see"One face whose brightness ... if I have no nursery or kitchen?' say the women. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/death the friend.htm

The Opening of the Side of Jesus.
... standing or sitting before the Cross, closely veiled and weeping ... and the deep sorrow
of the holy women, determined to ... from it, and flowed over his face and body ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xlviii the opening of.htm

The Early Life of St. Joseph
... in the outer court kneeling down with his face to the ... of the house, inhabited by
a few middle-aged women. They went about veiled, as I often saw women doing ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/v the early life of.htm