Quote:
Originally Posted by Tithesmeister
I think it is at best an assumption that Rebekah veiled herself out of modesty, respect would be an assumption as well albeit a more believable assumption.
Modesty: She was already in the company of a man, before they met Isaac. So if it were modesty, was she being immodest when she was with Isaac’s servant?
If it was a question of modesty, and to perhaps a lesser extent respect as well, wouldn’t she have been covered already?
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Genesis 24:65 KJV
For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master:
therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
Rules of modesty and propriety are not necessarily the same from era to era and culture to culture. Being unveiled in front of a servant was apparently not considered a big deal. Being unveiled in front of a great important man, specifically one to whom she was betrothed, apparently was a big deal.
I think it is also likely that the veil she put on was not just a headcovering, but probably covered the face as well. In fact, what we see here is most likely an example of the age old custom of the bride being veiled before her betrothed until the marriage ceremony is complete.
That being said, it does indicate
something - the WOMAN took it upon herself to cover herself in the presence of the man. Isaac didn't veil himself when she showed up, she veiled herself when she was coming into his presence. Thus, the same basic principle is at work here as in
1 Cor 11: the woman is the one veiled or covered, and this is what is considered appropriate or "comely" in the presence of respected male authority, requiring certain rules of etiquette.
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