מַסְוֶה
a veil
Definition
The Hebrew noun מַסְוֶה (masveh) refers specifically to a veil or covering used to conceal the face. In the Bible, it is used exclusively to describe the veil Moses wore over his face after speaking with God on Mount Sinai (Exodus 34:33-35). This was not a typical garment but a functional covering intended to shield the Israelites from the radiant glory that shone from Moses's skin after his divine encounters. The term implies a temporary, removable barrier rather than a permanent or ornamental piece of clothing.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only three times in the Old Testament, all within three consecutive verses in Exodus 34:33-35. Its usage is highly specific, describing the action of Moses putting on the veil after speaking to the people, and taking it off when he returned to speak with God. The pattern highlights a ritual or practical act connected to the manifestation of God's glory.
Etymology
The noun מַסְוֶה (masveh) is derived from the Hebrew root סוה (s-v-h), which is unattested in the Bible but is understood to mean 'to cover' or 'to veil.' It is a nominal form indicating an instrument or object used for covering. Cognates in other Semitic languages support the meaning of covering or hiding.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it is directly tied to the narrative of God's glory and human mediation. The veil (masveh) Moses wore served as a tangible symbol of the fading glory of the old covenant and the separation between a holy God and the people (2 Corinthians 3:13 alludes to this). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Exodus 34 by highlighting the temporary nature of the glory reflected on Moses's face and points forward to the greater, permanent glory revealed in Christ.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, veils could signify status, modesty, or separation. However, Moses's veil was unique. It was not a common cultural garment for men but a specific response to a supernatural phenomenon—the radiant afterglow of being in God's presence. This distinguishes it from other coverings used in daily life or religious ritual.
צָעִיף (tsa'if, H6809) — a general term for a veil or shawl, often a woman's head covering (Genesis 24:65, Genesis 38:14). רְדִיד (redid, H7289) — a wide veil or wrap, also typically feminine (Song of Solomon 5:7, Isaiah 3:23).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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