Dictionaries :: Veil, Vail

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Veil, Vail:

(1.) Heb. mitpahath (Rth 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 (2Cr 3:13-15).

(3.) Masveh (Exd 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 (2Cr 3:13, etc.).

(4.) Paroheth (Exd 26:31-35), the veil of the tabernacle and the temple, which hung between the holy place and the most holy (2Ch 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 (Mat 27:51; Mar 15:38; Luk 23:45).

(5.) Tza'iph (Gen 24:65). Rebekah "took a vail and covered herself." (See also Gen 38:14, 19.) Hebrew women generally appeared in public without veils (Gen 12:14; 24:16; 29:10; 1Sa 1:12).

(6.) Radhidh (Sgs 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 (Exd 26:36,37).