King James Bible Dictionary

1. Hangings used in the tabernacle to divide the holy of holies from the holy place:

Called the second veil
Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 9:3

Ordinances prescribing
Exodus 26:31-33

Made by Bezaleel and Aholiab
Exodus 36:35-36

2. A covering for the ark
Exodus 35:12; Exodus 39:34; Exodus 40:21; Numbers 4:5

3. Veil of the temple:

General references
2 Chronicles 3:14

Rent at the time of the crucifixion of Jesus
Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45

4. Figurative
Hebrews 10:20

5. A facial covering:
Genesis 24:65

Worn by Tamar
Genesis 38:14; Genesis 38:19

Worn by Moses, to screen his face when he descended from Mount Sinai
Exodus 34:33; Exodus 34:35; 2 Corinthians 3:13-16
Dress; Wimple

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, (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.

VEIL, noun [Latin velum.

1. A cover; a curtain; something to intercept the view and lude an object.

2. A cover; a disguise. [See Vail. The latter orthography gives the Latin pronunciation as well as the English, and is to be preferred.

VEIL, verb transitive

1. To cover with a veil; to conceal.

2. To invest; to cover.

3. To hide. [See Vail.]

[TABERNACLE; TEMPLE]

1. Heb. mitpahath (Ruth 3:15; marg., "sheet" or "apron;" R.V., "mantle"). In Isaiah 3:22 this word is plural, rendered "wimples;" R.V., "shawls" i.e., wraps.

2. Massekah (Isaiah 25:7; in Isaiah 28:20 rendered "covering"). The word denotes something spread out and covering or concealing something else (comp. 2 Corinthians 3:13-15).

3. Masveh (Exodus 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 (comp. 2 Corinthians 3:13, etc.).

4. Paroheth (Exodus 26:31-35), the veil of the tabernacle and the temple, which hung between the holy place and the most holy (2 Chronicles 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 (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).

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

6. Radhidh (Song of Solomon 5:7, R.V. "mantle;" Isaiah 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 (Exodus 26:36, 37).