 
Headcoverings
(Should women wear them?) Written by: Luann Avalos
If you have studied the
scriptures in any length the question might come up about
whether the verses referring to head coverings are still in
effect today. One of the major references in scriptures of
head covering is in 1 Cor 11:5 “But every woman
that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered
dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she
were shaven.” 1Co 11:6 “For if the woman be not covered, let
her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be
shorn or shaven, let her be covered.”
The word “uncovered” is the Greek
word: akatakaluptos ak-at-ak-al'-oop-tos From G1 (as a
negative particle) and a derivative of a compound of G2596
and G2572; unveiled: - uncovered.
G2572 kaluptō kal-oop'-to Akin to G2813 and G2928;
to cover up (literally or figuratively): - cover, hide.
The above scripture
tells us that if a woman is uncovered/unveiled when she
prays or prophecies that it is a dishonor to her head.
Further reading will indicate that the woman is the glory of
the man and the man is the glory of Yahweh. A woman who
prophesieth with her head uncovered/unveiled overshadows the
man’s glory and usurps the authority that she is under. The
woman was made to be a helpmeet to the man, the man was made
to give glory and honor to Yahweh. Co 11:6
“For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but
if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her
be covered.” 1Co 11:7 “For a man indeed ought not to
cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and esteem of
Yahweh: but the woman is the esteem of the man.” 1Co 11:8
“For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.”
1Co 11:9 “Neither was the man created for the woman; but the
woman for the man.” From
what we are reading so far is that a woman is to be covered
or veiled when she is praying or prophesying. Some may
interpret this to mean that her hair is her covering and
that is all that is needed. You will notice the covering
comes from the root word:
G4016 περιβάλλω periballō
per-ee-bal'-lo From G4012 and G906; to throw all around,
that is, invest (with a palisade or with clothing): - array,
cast about, clothe (-d me), put on. Reading the above
explanation, we gather that the covering is clothing or
array that you put on. Your hair is always on your head, it
is not something that is put on and taken off at will!
In 1 Corinthians 11:14 it states that “Doth not even
nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it
is a shame unto him?” 1 Corinthians 15: “But if a
woman have long hair, it is a honor to her: for her hair is
given her for a covering.”
Also, note that it says that the
hair is A covering, not the covering. If Yahweh was talking
about long hair in verses 4-7, why didn't He say, "Every man
who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his
head...Every woman who prays or prophesies with short
hair..."? Also, why would the length of hair be an issue
only when praying or prophesying? How could a woman only
have long hair when praying or prophesying?
The covering in this verse is;
G4018 περιβόλαιον peribolaion per-ib-ol'-ah-yon
Neuter of a presumed derivative of G4016; something thrown
around one, that is, a mantle, veil: - covering, vesture.
If you refer back to
Genesis 24:65 we read “For she had saidH559 untoH413 the
servant,H5650 WhatH4310 manH376 is thisH1976 that
walkethH1980 in the fieldH7704 to meetH7125 us? And the
servantH5650 had said,H559 ItH1931 is my master:H113
therefore she tookH3947 a vail,H6809 and covered herself.”
The vail in the
above is scripture is: H6809 צעיף tsâ‛ı̂yph
tsaw-eef' From an unused root meaning to wrap over; a
veil: - vail
Therefore she took a veil to wrap over herself.
When we approach Kings, dignitaries and especially our
Heavenly Father we do so with submission and reverence. One
way that we show submission is by wearing a veil or
headcovering. In other cultures you may bow down and offer
gifts as a token of acceptance. Our dignitaries when
visiting other countries and their rulers will bow to them
and offer presents. Why do we offer this form of submission
to earthly beings but cannot wear a physical covering in
submission to our Creator?
As we have seen from previous verses and descriptions, a
women’s long hair is her glory, and the glory that she has
been given is to be for her husband and ruler. No
matter how you look at it, women were not created before
men, the woman was created to be a helpmeet and servant to
the man. One way
to look at the authority and the positions that women have
been given is similar to an employer and employee. Your
supervisor is essentially accountable for your actions,
someone who gives you your assignments and gives an answer
to their (headship) about the progress or lack of it if that
is the case. In the same way your husband is the supervisor,
he will have to answer and give an account for your actions
that he was aware of on judgment day. Therefore, if he gives
you an assignment and you go over his head and approach the
Father, is this not usurping his authority and his covering
is not available to you?
The question may come up of single women who are not
married. Although a woman does not have a husband, when she
is coming to give honor to her Creator, the concept is still
there that she is in submission to Yahweh.
When Moses approached before Yahweh was he submissive or did
he come before Him emboldened? Exo 3:6 Moreover he said, I
am the Elohim of thy father, the Elohim of Abraham, the
Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob. And Moses hid his
face; for he was afraid to look upon Elohim.
Whether a man or woman, we notice that when they are in the
presence of the King, that they were NOT arrogant or proud
but had an attitude of subservience to their maker!
You will notice that
even in the description of the temple that a veil/covering
was present to separate those who are not righteous from
entering into the Holy Place.
Exo 35:12 (H853) The ark,H727 and the stavesH905 thereof,
with(H853) the mercy seat,H3727 and the vailH6532 of the
covering,H4539
Vail is H6532 פּרכת pôreketh po-reh'-keth
Feminine active participle of the same as H6531; a
separatrix, that is, (the sacred) screen: - vail.
Covering is H4539 מסך
mâsâk maw-sawk From H5526; a cover, that is, veil: -
covering, curtain, hanging.
Mat 27:51 And,G2532 behold,G2400 theG3588 veilG2665 of
theG3588 templeG3485 was rentG4977 inG1519 twainG1417
fromG575 the topG509 toG2193 the bottom;G2736 andG2532
theG3588 earthG1093 did quake,G4579 andG2532 theG3588
rocksG4073 rent;G4977
Veil is G2665
καταπέτασμα katapetasma kat-ap-et'-as-mah From a
compound of G2596 and a congener of G4072; something spread
thoroughly, that is, (specifically) the door screen (to the
Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple: - vail.
We notice that in the
Old Testament that at certain times men wore headcoverings.
Aaron and his sons
wore bonnets, mitres: Exo 28:37 “And thou
shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre;
upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.” Exo 28:38
“And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear
the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of
Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be
always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before
Yahweh.” Exo 28:39 “And thou shalt embroider the coat of
fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and
thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.”
It would seem that since Yahshua
is our High Priest, he would relieve this role from an
earthly High Priest. Also, Yahshua bears all our iniquity,
and goes before the Father for us and intercedes.
Exo 28:40 And for Aaron's sons thou shalt make
coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets
shalt thou make for them, for dignity and for beauty.
Bonnets means H4021 מגבּעה
migbâ‛âh mig-baw-aw' From the same as H1389; a cap
(as hemispherical): - bonnet., headband
As you will notice these bonnets and hats were made for
dignity and beauty and for serving in the temple. We do not
see these bonnets being worn by all men in the Assembly
hall, nor were they worn in daily activities of living.
Eze 24:23 “And your tiresH6287 shall be
uponH5921 your heads,H7218 and your shoesH5275 upon your
feet:H7272 ye shall notH3808 mournH5594 norH3808 weep;H1058
but ye shall pine awayH4743 for your iniquities,H5771 and
mournH5098 oneH376 towardH413 another.H251”
H6287 פּאר pe'êr
peh-ayr' From H6286; an embellishment, that is, fancy
head dress: - beauty, bonnet, goodly, ornament, tire.
Num 6:18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his
separation at the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his
separation, and put it in the fire which is under the
sacrifice of the peace offerings.”
Among the Jews the abundance of
the hair was considered to betoken physical strength and
perfection (compare 2Sa_14:25-26), and baldness was regarded
as a grave blemish (compare Lev_21:20 note, Lev_13:40 ff;
2Ki_2:23; Isa_3:24). Thus, the free growth of the hair on
the head of the Nazarite represented the dedication of the
man with all his strength and powers to the service of
Yahweh. Other
examples of headcoverings in the Old Testament on men were
when they wore them at times of mourning or sadness.
2Sa 15:30 “And David went up by the ascent of mount
Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered,
and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him
covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as
they went up.” Est 6:12 “And Mordecai came again to
the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and
having his head covered.” Jer 14:3 “And their nobles
have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to the
pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels
empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their
heads.” Jer 14:4 “Because the ground is chapt, for there
was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they
covered their heads.” Another
view of headship is that it shows deep humility and reliance
on the person that you are in submission to. When we appear
before our Heavenly Father with our head covered we
acknowledge our submission to Him and His authority and are
seeking protection and reliance on Him that we alone cannot
attain ourselves. Even when I am alone in my prayer or
studies I cover my head in recognition of my place in the
ruler-ship of mankind.
According to several sources in the Scriptures single women
were under the leadership of their earthly dad’s until they
were married. Once they married they were now under the
leadership of their husband who will petition the Father on
their behalf. Vows could not be made without the approval of
your earthly dad or husband.
Some who are reading this article may make the statement
that I am advocating that you wear a headcovering at all
times to show your submission. However, you will notice that
the Scripture states that: 1Co 11:5 But
every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head
uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as
if she were shaven. (shameful)
The scripture above is referring
to when a woman is praying or prophesying.
I have also heard statements made that a women does not need
a physical covering as her hair is her covering, if you read
the scripture above, it states “with her head uncovered,
…even all one as if she were shaven.” If her hair is her
covering then how is her head uncovered unless she is shaven
or shorn? Unless you have shaved your head you will have
hair making this verse a moot point! 1Co 11:6
“For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but
if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her
be covered.” If I read
the above scripture with the meaning that my hair is my
covering, I would gather that if I don’t have hair to cover
my head that I need to be shaven, but if it is a shame for
me to be shaven let me have hair. If I don’t have hair then
I am already shaven and am “shamed”. I must then draw a
conclusion that my head needs to have a physical covering
besides my hair.
History of headcoverings show that from the very beginning
women have been wearing headcoverings or veils until
fashions or groups decided that it was no longer necessary
to wear them. There are many religions that formerly
supported the use of headcoverings in services but have
later changed to their stance due to popular demand.
We find three Old
Testament references that indicate women were wearing
headcoverings/veils in ancient history. The verses do not
specify that these coverings/veils were being worn only for
religious purposes but also in everyday life. Genesis
24:65, Numbers 5:18 and Isaiah 47:2
If you refer back to Genesis 24:65 we read “For she had
saidH559 untoH413 the servant,H5650 WhatH4310 manH376 is
thisH1976 that walkethH1980 in the fieldH7704 to meetH7125
us? And the servantH5650 had said,H559 ItH1931 is my
master:H113 therefore she tookH3947 a vail,H6809 and covered
herself.” The
vail in the above is scripture is: H6809 צעיף
tsâ‛ı̂yph tsaw-eef' From an unused root meaning to
wrap over; a veil: - vail
Therefore she took a veil to wrap over herself.
Num 5:18 “And the priest shall set the woman before Yahweh,
and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of
memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and
the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that
causeth the curse:”
Uncover in Numbers 5:18 is:
H6544 פּרע pâra‛ paw-rah' A primitive root; to
loosen; by implication to expose, dismiss; figuratively
absolve, begin: - avenge, avoid, bare, go back, let, (make)
naked, set at nought, perish, refuse, uncover.
Uncover in Isaiah
47:2 H1540 גּלה gâlâh gaw-law'
A primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful
sense); by implication to exile (captives being usually
stripped); figuratively to reveal: - + advertise, appear,
bewray, bring, (carry, lead, go) captive (into captivity),
depart, disclose, discover, exile, be gone, open, X plainly,
publish, remove, reveal, X shamelessly, shew, X surely,
tell, uncover. Num 5:11 “And Yahweh spake
unto Moses, saying, Num 5:12 “Speak unto the children of
Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go aside, and
commit a trespass against him, Num 5:13 “And a man lie
with her carnally, and it be hid from the eyes of her
husband, and be kept close, and she be defiled, and there be
no witness against her, neither she be taken with the
manner; Num 5:14 “And the spirit of jealousy come upon
him, and he be jealous of his wife, and she be defiled: or
if the spirit of jealousy come upon him, and he be jealous
of his wife, and she be not defiled: Num 5:15 “Then shall
the man bring his wife unto the priest, and he shall bring
her offering for her, the tenth part of an ephah of barley
meal; he shall pour no oil upon it, nor put frankincense
thereon; for it is an offering of jealousy, an offering of
memorial, bringing iniquity to remembrance. Num 5:16 “And
the priest shall bring her near, and set her before Yahweh:
Num 5:17 And the priest shall take holy water in an earthen
vessel; and of the dust that is in the floor of the
tabernacle the priest shall take, and put it into the water:
Num 5:18 And the priest shall set the woman before Yahweh,
and uncover the woman's head, and put the offering of
memorial in her hands, which is the jealousy offering: and
the priest shall have in his hand the bitter water that
causeth the curse: Num 5:19 And the priest shall charge
her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain
with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness
with another instead of thy husband, be thou free from this
bitter water that causeth the curse: Num 5:20 But if thou
hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband, and if
thou be defiled, and some man have lain with thee beside
thine husband: Num 5:21 Then the priest shall charge the
woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto
the woman, Yahweh make thee a curse and an oath among thy
people, when Yahweh doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy
belly to swell; Num 5:22 And this water that causeth the
curse shall go into thy bowels, to make thy belly to swell,
and thy thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.
Num 5:23 And the priest shall write these curses in a book,
and he shall blot them out with the bitter water: Num
5:24 And he shall cause the woman to drink the bitter water
that causeth the curse: and the water that causeth the curse
shall enter into her, and become bitter. Num 5:25 Then
the priest shall take the jealousy offering out of the
woman's hand, and shall wave the offering before Yahweh, and
offer it upon the altar: Num 5:26 And the priest shall
take an handful of the offering, even the memorial thereof,
and burn it upon the altar, and afterward shall cause the
woman to drink the water. Num 5:27 And when he hath made
her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, that, if
she be defiled, and have done trespass against her husband,
that the water that causeth the curse shall enter into her,
and become bitter, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh
shall rot: and the woman shall be a curse among her people.
Num 5:28 And if the woman be not defiled, but be clean; then
she shall be free, and shall conceive seed. Num 5:29 This
is the law of jealousies, when a wife goeth aside to another
instead of her husband, and is defiled; Num 5:30 Or when
the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he be jealous
over his wife, and shall set the woman before Yahweh, and
the priest shall execute upon her all this law. Num 5:31
Then shall the man be guiltless from iniquity, and this
woman shall bear her iniquity.
In the previous scripture in my
studies I have recently come to the conclusion that a woman
is covered by her husband’s authority. However, in the above
mentioned verses a woman who was thought to have committed
adultery was brought to the priest by the husband with an
offering for her sin. The priest then “uncovered” the
woman’s head and gave her the bitter waters to drink. If she
was found guilty she bore her iniquity. Some references will
tie 1 Corinthians 11:6 and Numbers 5 together. Since the
husband was physically present when the woman’s head was
uncovered, he couldn’t have been her covering, and unless
the priest shaved off her hair this scripture is referring a
physical covering that protected the woman from her sin!
In conclusion I have
ascertained that from the Scriptures, headcoverings have and
continue to be worn by women who desire to do Yahweh’s will.
It is worn in submission to the husband, his authority and
covering of protection for his wife, to Yahweh and what He
has established from the beginning.
I do not wear
headcoverings all day long but I will put one on during
bible studies, services, or times of worship that shows I am
in submission to my husband.
Although there is one scripture in the bible that we base
this finding on, many examples show us that women of Yahweh
wore coverings and understand their role in the family
dynamics. It is very important when deciding matters that
are not clearly stated in the bible that you pray for
discernment and understanding and make sure that changes you
make in your worship are backed up by Bible.
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