Bible Dictionary
Veil
A veil was a covering or wrap used as an article of dress, for modesty, ornament, or concealment. In biblical times women did not uniformly cover the face, though head coverings were associated with some public and religious settings.
Definition
A veil is a covering used as an article of dress, ornament, concealment, or religious observance. In ancient biblical society it was not worn universally by women, and it could cover the head without covering the face.
Biblical Usage
Veils appear in descriptions of ornamental dress, betrothed maidens, and concealment. Among Jews of the New Testament period, women apparently covered their heads in public worship, though not necessarily their faces.
Historical Background
In ancient times veiling was exceptional rather than general. The supplied material contrasts this with the greater veiling customary after the promulgation of the Koran.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
With regard to the use of the veil, it is important to observe that it was by no means so general in ancient as in modern times. Much of the scrupulousness in respect of the use of the veil dates from the promulgation of the Koran, which forbade women appearing unveiled except in the presence of their nearest relatives. In ancient times the veil was adopted only in exceptional cases, either as an article of ornamental dress, (Song of Solomon 4:1,3; 6:7) or by betrothed maidens in the presence of their future husbands, especially at the time of the wedding, (Genesis 24:65) or lastly, by women of loose character for purposes of concealment. (Genesis 38:14) Among the Jews of the New Testament age it appears to have been customary for the women to cover their heads (not necessarily their faces) when engaged in public worship.