Veil

Generally, an item of female dress worn by an unmarried woman in the presence of her future husband and also by a prostitute. Head-coverings were worn by men and women as a sign of mourning. The term is also used metaphorically to indicate a lack of understanding of God's truth. Scripture uses the imagery of “removing a veil” to refer to God's final self-revelation at the end of the age, or the making known of God's will and nature through Jesus Christ or other means.

The veil as an item of female dress

Worn by women in general

Song of Solomon 4:1 The veil covered the lower part of the face, so focusing attention on the eyes and temples. See also Genesis 24:65 Rebekah veils herself in the presence of her future husband, Isaac; Song of Solomon 4:3, Song of Solomon 6:7

How beautiful you are, my darling— how very beautiful! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil. Your hair is like a flock of goats streaming down Mount Gilead.

Worn by prostitutes

Genesis 38:14–15 See also Song of Solomon 1:7

she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute because she had covered her face.

Worn by female sorcerers

Ezekiel 13:18, Ezekiel 13:21

Worn as a sign of wealth and status

Isaiah 3:19, Isaiah 47:2 Babylon's veil will be removed as a mark of her humiliation.

Veils worn as a sign of grief

Faces covered in sorrow and dismay

2 Samuel 15:30 See also Leviticus 13:45 A veil worn by the ceremonially unclean signifies grief at separation from God; Jeremiah 14:4

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.

Veils customarily worn by mourners

2 Samuel 19:4 See also Ezekiel 24:17, Ezekiel 24:22

But the king covered his face and cried out at the top of his voice, “O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!”

Faces covered as a sign of disgrace

Esther 6:12, Esther 7:8; Micah 3:7

Head-coverings in worship

1 Corinthians 11:4 A man's uncovered head in worship signifies submission to his spiritual head, i.e., Jesus Christ; 1 Corinthians 11:5–6 A woman's covered head signifies proper submission to her husband. See also 1 Corinthians 11:7, 1 Corinthians 11:13

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.

God's sight of humanity is not veiled

The wicked foolishly boast that God does not see them

Job 22:12–14 See also Psalm 10:11, Psalm 94:7; Isaiah 29:15

Is not God as high as the heavens? Look at the highest stars, how lofty they are! Yet you say: ‘What does God know? Does He judge through thick darkness? Thick clouds veil Him so He does not see us as He traverses the vault of heaven.’

God's people complain that God does not see their suffering

Psalm 44:24 See also Job 13:24; Psalm 69:17, Psalm 88:14

Why do You hide Your face and forget our affliction and oppression?

God sees all humanity

Job 28:24 See also Genesis 16:13; Job 34:21; Psalm 33:13, Psalm 139:1–3

For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

People's deeds will be made known

1 Corinthians 4:5 See also Job 28:11; Isaiah 26:21; Matthew 10:26 parallel Luke 12:2; 1 Corinthians 3:13

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

The truth about God is sometimes veiled

The veil worn by Moses

2 Corinthians 3:13 After speaking with God, Moses' face was radiant; the veil, possibly a loose part of his clothing pulled over his face, prevented the Israelites from seeing that the radiance did not last. See also Exodus 34:29–35

We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at the end of what was fading away.

Lack of understanding of God's truth

2 Corinthians 3:14–15 See also Isaiah 44:18; Lamentations 3:65; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 2 Corinthians 4:3; Ephesians 4:18

But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

The unveiling of God's truth

God's hidden truth is revealed to believers

1 Corinthians 2:7–10; Colossians 1:26 See also Isaiah 64:4; Romans 16:25–26; 2 Corinthians 3:16–18; Ephesians 1:9, Ephesians 3:3–6; 2 Timothy 1:10; Titus 1:2–3

No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Rather, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no heart has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed it to us by the Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.

God's self-revelation at the end of the age

Daniel 12:2–4 See also Isaiah 25:7–8; Romans 8:19; 1 John 3:2

And many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, but others to shame and everlasting contempt. Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”