Why does the bible say that a woman should wear a head covering?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
P

pjharrison

Guest
#21
Well I think the key to understanding the verse is what the verse says about when to do so, a woman who prays or prophesies, that would be the time to do so, hope this helps.

God bless
I understand it, just trying to give us something to discuss.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#23
I understand it, just trying to give us something to discuss.
Indeed and I think it's a good topic, looking at what the bible says about coverings.

1 Cor 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering

so if a woman already has hair then there is need to cover their head up for the woman's hair is her covering.
 
P

pjharrison

Guest
#24
Indeed and I think it's a good topic, looking at what the bible says about coverings.

1 Cor 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering

so if a woman already has hair then there is need to cover their head up for the woman's hair is her covering.
It's a spiritual covering. The hair is just an example of a natural covering.
1 Cor: 11:10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels (fallen angels who are deceiving spirits.)
 
L

LPT

Guest
#25
It's a spiritual covering. The hair is just an example of a natural covering.
1 Cor: 11:10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels (fallen angels who are deceiving spirits.)
Interesting statement, personally I don't see in 1 Cor 11 speaking about spiritual covering, I view it as mentioning a woman's natural hair nor do I see in those verses about fallen angels. Now I have heard some scholars have interpreted Paul's writings as to a referencing to fallen angels but IMO that is a far reach indeed. but does Paul actually mentioned that I haven't heard of him doing so. please supply your references to those statements if you don't mind.
 
P

pjharrison

Guest
#26
Interesting statement, personally I don't see in 1 Cor 11 speaking about spiritual covering, I view it as mentioning a woman's natural hair nor do I see in those verses about fallen angels. Now I have heard some scholars have interpreted Paul's writings as to a referencing to fallen angels but IMO that is a far reach indeed. but does Paul actually mentioned that I haven't heard of him doing so. please supply your references to those statements if you don't mind.
First of all, why would Paul say a woman should cover her head because of the angels. Holy angels have no interest in woman, unless God send them to a woman for some reason, but fallen angels do. Paul was just trying to help us in our spiritual race. Now I believe you know the story about Adam and Eve. Eve was deceived. If Adam would have said no, "we will not eat of this tree because God said not too", then there would have been something else going on today. Adam was her covering, but he did not cover her. He went along with the deception. The devil still does that today. That's why it says this
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#27
First of all, why would Paul say a woman should cover her head because of the angels. Holy angels have no interest in woman, unless God send them to a woman for some reason, but fallen angels do. Paul was just trying to help us in our spiritual race. Now I believe you know the story about Adam and Eve. Eve was deceived. If Adam would have said no, "we will not eat of this tree because God said not too", then there would have been something else going on today. Adam was her covering, but he did not cover her. He went along with the deception. The devil still does that today. That's why it says this
1 Corinthians 11:3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
Well I was responding to your statement about mentioning it is a spiritual covering, where do you get this info from Is there any mentioning 1 Cor 11 that directly says (spiritual) covering or does 1 Cor 11 simply say covering. In saying that one has to be a little cautionary when mentioning things that the scripture doesn't actually say like spiritual covering that in it's self can be viewed as adding to the verses. I don't mean to be disrespectful in anyway as to my response above to being cautionary and adding to scripture.

As to your reference to fallen angels quite frankly I don't really know why that was even mentioned but like as I said in that chapter are verses that speaks about angels and I've heard scolars say its a reference to (fallen) angels please forgive me if I have misunderstood what you were saying about the fallen angels statement. Though I would like to know a little more about that as to why you think 1 Cor 11:10 is referring to fallen angels when in fact that verse doesn't mention such thing? the verses says angels only.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#29
As to the reference angels don't have any interest in woman, I can agree as well if it's for a purpose, a reason from God as the below verse does do just that.

Luke 1:28
And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that arthighly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women

Thank you for the responses and for creating the thread topic it was interesting indeed.

God bless.
 
P

pjharrison

Guest
#30
Well I was responding to your statement about mentioning it is a spiritual covering, where do you get this info from Is there any mentioning 1 Cor 11 that directly says (spiritual) covering or does 1 Cor 11 simply say covering. In saying that one has to be a little cautionary when mentioning things that the scripture doesn't actually say like spiritual covering that in it's self can be viewed as adding to the verses. I don't mean to be disrespectful in anyway as to my response above to being cautionary and adding to scripture.

As to your reference to fallen angels quite frankly I don't really know why that was even mentioned but like as I said in that chapter are verses that speaks about angels and I've heard scolars say its a reference to (fallen) angels please forgive me if I have misunderstood what you were saying about the fallen angels statement. Though I would like to know a little more about that as to why you think 1 Cor 11:10 is referring to fallen angels when in fact that verse doesn't mention such thing? the verses says angels only.
Sometimes you have to depend on the Holy Spirit to help you understand the scriptures, because your just not going to find that the bible explains everything. I'm not going to find a scripture that says that those are fallen angels. I just come to that conclusion, because why would Paul say that the woman need to have a covering because there are Gods angels present. We can't see them. How would a woman know when to cover her head.
 

RickyZ

Senior Member
Sep 20, 2012
9,635
787
113
#31
An interesting topic, and nice to see one that isn't beating dead horse ;). Having read thru, I'ma going to shotgun this one, touching on things from several posts.

Now, this is theory, so don't crucify me if you disagree, but...

Arguments have been made that in the time of Adam and Eve and their progeny, fallen angels mated with human women. Perhaps the covering of the head during prayers and prophecy, is to keep these fallen angels from looking down upon women communing with God?

It also establishes the spiritual order, man's head being covered by God and woman's head being covered by the man.

About that man ... is that necessarily one man or a man that a woman is under? or is it all women in general are under all men in general - under meaning under that covering of protection of man.

Adam and Eve make me smhl. Here, from the very beginning, is a perfect example of a woman starting something we men then take the blame for ;)

And, uh, pj, don't forget Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It's not a question of if you want to.
 
P

pjharrison

Guest
#32
Paul said angels not falling angels and there is nothing in there that suggest anything about them lusting after women or whatever.

Here is an article about some of the thoughts on it.
https://www.godvine.com/bible/1-corinthians/11-10
I said nothing about angels lust after women. Why would Paul say the woman need a covering because Gods angel are present. Do you understand what the covering is?
 
P

pjharrison

Guest
#33
An interesting topic, and nice to see one that isn't beating dead horse ;). Having read thru, I'ma going to shotgun this one, touching on things from several posts.

Now, this is theory, so don't crucify me if you disagree, but...

Arguments have been made that in the time of Adam and Eve and their progeny, fallen angels mated with human women. Perhaps the covering of the head during prayers and prophecy, is to keep these fallen angels from looking down upon women communing with God?

It also establishes the spiritual order, man's head being covered by God and woman's head being covered by the man.

About that man ... is that necessarily one man or a man that a woman is under? or is it all women in general are under all men in general - under meaning under that covering of protection of man.

Adam and Eve make me smhl. Here, from the very beginning, is a perfect example of a woman starting something we men then take the blame for ;)

And, uh, pj, don't forget Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. It's not a question of if you want to.
You know if Adam would have told Eve," we are not going to eat of this tree", it would be different now. Instead he went along with her. He did not cover her. The demons are still at work today. The demons deceive the men too, but the woman are a weaker vessel, an easier target. The demons that are hanging around are not trying to mate, they are trying to entice men and women. Anything to get them away from the knowledge of God.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,764
113
#34
The covering for the woman is to protect the woman from the angels(fallen angels).
Where did you come up with this nonsense?

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

The head covering is the symbol of the husband's authority (translated as "power") over his wife. And angels observe whether Christian women are in submission to their husbands (and therefore obedient to God) through this symbol.

So what is "this cause" (or this reason)?

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

This is explained in the next verse. Adam was a direct creation of God, and was made in the image and likeness of God. But the woman (Eve) was taken as a rib about the man, and then formed into a woman.

For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
 

Adstar

Senior Member
Jul 24, 2016
7,417
3,468
113
#35
1 Corinthians 11: 4 - 5 Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.
If you keep reading and get the Bibles Revelation about head coverings in context of that passage you will get the revelation that long hair is a covering that God provides for woman.. That long hair satisfies the need for a covering for woman..

1 Corinthians 11: KJV
13 "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? {14} Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? {15} But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#36
It was a custom at that time period and that verse was merely the opinion of the author.

The disappearance of a new order of the ceremonial ordnance as two parts making it one new ceremonial law. The head/hair covering for the woman and uncovering for the men, and bread and wine that speaks of the consummation of the wedding supper in the new heavens and earth as the unveiling of the bride of Christ as a new creature made up of male and female .It has been all but destroyed in most places of worship . It was not a fashion statement for a temporal time period .The author is Christ.

Removing half of the new ceremonial law removes the whole purpose. The church as a representative glory of the upcoming wedding supper unveiled in the new heavens and earth

The time of reformation had come .The old testament ceremonial laws that looked ahead as a parable to Christ coming in the flesh used to represent the gospel of Christ in respect to the suffering of Christ beforehand had come to a end. .Jewish flesh was no longer needed as a metaphor to point ahead but restored to a different time period before there were kings in Israel.

The old testament saints received the end of their faith, trusting the Spirit of Christ in them just as we do today. They looked ahead trusting the word of God just as we look back to the same reformation signaled by the renting of the veil as the glory that would follow.

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. 1 Peter 1:10-12

Before the time reformation (Hebrew 9) men and woman were separated .Woman were not allowed to be part of the ceremonial ordinances a wall separated the two.

The head /hair covering and uncovering signaled new creatures to represent the bride of Christ the church, the spiritual house of God made up of many lively stones.
 
Mar 28, 2016
15,954
1,528
113
#37
If you keep reading and get the Bibles Revelation about head coverings in context of that passage you will get the revelation that long hair is a covering that God provides for woman.. That long hair satisfies the need for a covering for woman..

1 Corinthians 11: KJV
13 "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? {14} Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? {15} But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering."
The length of the hair is not the issue or subject matter. Longer hair for a woman is normally or naturally accepted in most societies

Except in a temporal vow called Nazarene, one that Paul and possibly other disciples applied .It could apply even today.

If a woman a represented glory of man her head does not cover her head/ hair then she should shave it off to show shame. Man a representative glory of Christ not seen is not to cover his head hair it would dishonor Christ, not seen .

God did not leave woman without a representative glory as a sign to the angels .Both men and woman are both required to follow the new ordnance as one representative glory .

Shaving the head of the woman and trimming the nails of a woman who was converted and desired to be identified as a believer (new creature) was necessary when entering fellowship with other believers as an act of humility to God .

And seest among the captives a beautiful woman, and hast a desire unto her, that thou wouldest have her to thy wife;
Then thou shalt bring her home to thine house, and she shall shave her head, and pare her nails;And she shall put the raiment of her captivity from off her, and shall remain in thine house, and bewail her father and her mother a full month: and after that thou shalt go in unto her, and be her husband, and she shall be thy wife. Deuteronomy 21:11-13

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head (of hair) uncovered dishonoureth her head:(husband) for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to let her be covered.1 Corithians 11:5-6

And interesting parable is given in Revelation 9 using many different metaphors to describe the father of lies, Satan coming in full glory .

And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions.And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months.
And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon Revelation 9:7-11

Today it would appear as a sign the end is near. The separation of men and woman has become un-popular, just as marriage between men and woman, no longer has any value in defining the word marriage .(no gender difference)

The counterfeiter (Satan) would have us to believe the kingdom of God does come by observation and we have already received our new incorruptible bodies, as the bride of Christ (neither male nor female Jew nor Gentile )
 

trofimus

Senior Member
Aug 17, 2015
10,684
794
113
#38
I think the jewish and amish still wear head coverings during prayer..especially the women...
Also many protestants and all orthodox Christians. I have also seen some more traditional catholics doing it.

In summary, I think more Christian women did it than not.... But the idea "I will wear what I want" is spreading more and more, so maybe the practice will die out soon.
 

lightbearer

Senior Member
Jun 17, 2017
2,375
504
113
57
HBG. Pa. USA
#39
You know there is a natural world, and a spiritual world. This is all about the spiritual world. A head covering in the natural will protect a woman's head from the rain maybe, but not the spiritual.
1 cor: 11:10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels ( these are angels which are deceiving angels)
The man should not cover his head. Not talking about a hat. Spiritually, with another spirit. That's why we are told to test the spirits.
Nice! Praise GOD! The man being her covering and His covering or "head" mind you is Christ.
 
L

LPT

Guest
#40
Sometimes you have to depend on the Holy Spirit to help you understand the scriptures, because your just not going to find that the bible explains everything. I'm not going to find a scripture that says that those are fallen angels. I just come to that conclusion, because why would Paul say that the woman need to have a covering because there are Gods angels present. We can't see them. How would a woman know when to cover her head.
Well i think Paul was teaching about some of the Old Testament practices that was going on in those days, folks were asking questions about should they or should they not be doing such things as like today and I think he goes on and says there's no such law in the church "Christ congregation" but if one was trying to keep the old traditions then that is something that goes with it. As I said scriptures says the woman's hair is her covering so a woman wouldn't have to know when to cover her head unless that woman cut her hair or shaved her head then of coarse how would that woman know when to do it. Well that would be a challenge to know when for sure like keeping all the laws of of OT.

Now if it was me I'd be cautious about saying I learnt it through the Holy Spirit though it is not written in scripture IMO that would be a good time to put the brakes on and review that theory because the scriptures does say satan can and will percieve to people as being a angel of light. satan was able to tempt Jesus so what is he able do to the average person. Also if satan can percieve as being a angel of light then that surely wouldn't be easily to recognize that everytime, at times it may be easy to recognize a false spirit speaking in ones ear and at other times hard to recognize that. surely the first step of knowing that would be does it line up with scripture in anyway.