רַעֲלָה
a long veil (as fluttering)
Definition
רַעֲלָה refers to a specific type of women's garment, best understood as a long, flowing veil or shawl. The term appears only in Isaiah 3:19, where it is listed among the extravagant fineries of the women of Jerusalem that God will remove in judgment. The imagery of 'fluttering' in its gloss suggests a veil of fine, sheer, or perhaps fringed material that moves with the wearer. This single biblical usage defines it as a luxury item within a catalog of ornamental accessories.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Isaiah 3:19. It appears in a prophetic oracle of judgment against the prideful and materially obsessed women of Jerusalem. The context is a detailed list of various luxury items—anklets, headbands, crescents, pendants, bracelets, and veils—that God will take away. Its usage is purely descriptive within this inventory of opulent fashion, serving to illustrate the societal vanity that provoked divine displeasure.
Etymology
רַעֲלָה is the feminine form of the noun רַעַל (raʿal, H7478), which means 'to shake, tremble, or quiver.' The derivation directly informs its meaning; a רַעֲלָה is thus 'a shaking thing' or 'a tremulous thing,' perfectly describing the visual effect of a long, lightweight veil fluttering in motion. This connection to movement is central to its identity as a garment.
Semantic Range
While the word itself names a simple garment, its theological significance is derived entirely from its context in Isaiah 3:16-24. It represents the external trappings of pride, self-absorption, and misplaced trust in wealth and beauty rather than in God. The prophet uses these items, including the רַעֲלָה, as symbols of a corrupt social order that prioritizes appearance and luxury over justice and righteousness. Understanding this enriches the reading of Isaiah's prophecy, turning a list of fashion items into a potent metaphor for spiritual bankruptcy and the certainty of God's corrective judgment.
In the ancient Near East, veils and shawls were common articles of women's clothing, serving both practical and social purposes. However, the רַעֲלָה, by its specific derivation and its place in Isaiah's list, was likely a particularly fine, expensive, and showy accessory. It was not a simple head covering for modesty but an ornament denoting high social status and wealth. Its 'fluttering' quality may have been a deliberate display of luxury fabrics like fine linen or gauzy wool, meant to attract attention and signify elite fashion.
צָעִיף (tsaʿiph, H6804) — a general term for a veil or covering, as worn by Rebekah (Genesis 24:65) or Tamar (Genesis 38:14). מַסְוֶה (masveh, H4533) — a veil used to conceal the face, such as the one Moses wore (Exodus 34:33-35).
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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