Head-covering

A form of clothing worn on the head, often as a sign of status or rank.

Priestly head-coverings

Exodus 29:6 See also Exodus 28:4 parallel Leviticus 8:9; Leviticus 16:4; Zechariah 3:5

Put the turban on his head and attach the holy diadem to the turban.

Royal head-coverings

Ezekiel 21:25–26 See also 2 Samuel 1:10; 2 Kings 11:12 parallel 2 Chronicles 23:11; Esther 1:10–11, Esther 2:17; Psalm 21:1–3; Song of Solomon 3:11; Revelation 14:14

And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’ This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted.

Military head-coverings

1 Samuel 17:5 See also 2 Chronicles 26:14; Ezekiel 23:15, Ezekiel 23:24, Ezekiel 27:10, Ezekiel 38:5

and he had a bronze helmet on his head. He wore a bronze coat of mail weighing five thousand shekels,

Head-coverings in mourning

2 Samuel 15:30 See also Esther 6:12; Ezekiel 24:17

But David continued up the Mount of Olives, weeping as he went up. His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot. And all the people with him covered their heads and went up, weeping as they went.

Head-coverings in worship

1 Corinthians 11:4–7 NIV footnote gives an alternative translation for these verses, taking hair as the head-covering.

Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 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. A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

Metaphorical use of head-coverings

Job 29:14 See also Ephesians 6:17

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; justice was my robe and my turban.