042. Veil

Veil The Eastern or original veil may be anything from a square yard to three or four square yards in dimension.

It is usually of cotton material, and is worn down the back, not necessarily covering the face. The veil is useful in many ways, especially for carrying things in. Ruth would have no difficulty in carrying sir measures of barley presented to her by Boaz. A veil is always used at a wedding ceremony to cover the face of the bride. Even the Bedouin women, who never cover their faces on ordinary occasions, have their brides’ faces covered, and the removing of the veil is the great point in the wedding ceremony. The bridegroom, after walking round the bride three times, removes the veil from her face and throws it over his shoulder. It is a proclamation to all that the government of his bride rests upon him. How very wonderfully this ceremony is brought to notice in the prophecy referring to our Lord, "the government shall be upon his shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6) - Christ in glory reigning with His bride, the Church.