Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "mask" as understood in contemporary terms is not explicitly mentioned in Scripture. However, the idea of covering one's face or altering one's appearance can be found in various contexts throughout the Bible. These instances often carry symbolic or spiritual significance, reflecting themes of identity, deception, and transformation.
Old Testament References1.
Veils and Coverings: In the Old Testament, veils were commonly used by women as a form of modesty or cultural practice. For example, Rebekah covered herself with a veil when she first met Isaac (
Genesis 24:65). Similarly, Tamar used a veil to disguise herself when she approached Judah (
Genesis 38:14-15). While not masks in the modern sense, these coverings served to conceal identity or intentions.
2.
Moses' Veil: One of the most notable instances of face covering in the Bible is when Moses wore a veil after speaking with God. His face shone with the glory of God, and he covered it with a veil to shield the Israelites from the radiance (
Exodus 34:33-35). This act symbolized the separation between the divine and the human, as well as the temporary nature of the old covenant.
New Testament References1.
Hypocrisy and Deception: In the New Testament, the concept of a "mask" is metaphorically related to hypocrisy. Jesus frequently criticized the Pharisees and religious leaders for their outward displays of piety that masked their inner corruption. In
Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside but are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."
2.
Transformation and Renewal: The New Testament also speaks to the transformation of believers, which can be seen as a removal of the "masks" of the old self. In
2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes, "And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." This passage highlights the spiritual renewal and authenticity that comes from a relationship with Christ.
Symbolism and Themes·
Identity and Authenticity: Masks, in a symbolic sense, can represent the tension between one's true identity and the persona presented to the world. The Bible encourages believers to live authentically, reflecting the image of Christ without pretense or deceit.
·
Deception and Concealment: The use of masks or veils to deceive or conceal is a recurring theme. The Bible warns against the dangers of hypocrisy and the importance of sincerity in one's faith and actions.
·
Divine Encounter and Transformation: The removal of veils or masks is often associated with divine encounters and spiritual transformation. Believers are called to approach God with unveiled faces, reflecting His glory and being transformed into His likeness.
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly mention masks as understood today, the themes of covering, deception, and transformation are woven throughout Scripture, offering profound insights into the nature of identity and the call to live authentically before God and others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection; as, a dancer's mask; a fencer's mask; a ball player's mask.
2. (n.) That which disguises; a pretext or subterfuge.
3. (n.) A festive entertainment of dancing or other diversions, where all wear masks; a masquerade; hence, a revel; a frolic; a delusive show.
4. (n.) A dramatic performance, formerly in vogue, in which the actors wore masks and represented mythical or allegorical characters.
5. (n.) A grotesque head or face, used to adorn keystones and other prominent parts, to spout water in fountains, and the like; -- called also mascaron.
6. (n.) In a permanent fortification, a redoubt which protects the caponiere.
7. (n.) A screen for a battery.
8. (n.) The lower lip of the larva of a dragon fly, modified so as to form a prehensile organ.
9. (v. t.) To cover, as the face, by way of concealment or defense against injury; to conceal with a mask or visor.
10. (v. t.) To disguise; to cover; to hide.
11. (v. t.) To conceal; also, to intervene in the line of.
12. (v. t.) To cover or keep in check; as, to mask a body of troops or a fortress by a superior force, while some hostile evolution is being carried out.
13. (v. i.) To take part as a masker in a masquerade.
14. (v. i.) To wear a mask; to be disguised in any way.
Strong's Hebrew
2664. chaphas -- to search... A primitive root; to seek; causatively, to conceal oneself (ie Let be sought), or
mask -- change, (make) diligent (search), disquise self, hide, search (for
...Library
Chapter xix.
... good and benevolent men; and when bad men do it, they are acting a part which does
not belong to them; just like hypocrites, who conceal under amask what they...
Of the Holy Martyrs Juventinus and Maximinus.
... Now Julian, with less restraint, or shall I say, less shame, began to arm himself
against true religion, wearing indeed amask of moderation, but all the while...
Those Days it was Near Twelve O'Clock by the Great Dial of History...
... Tall and erect, with curly blond locks and blue eyes and lips delicately curved,
there was in that hall no ancestralmask or statue so nobly favored....
Simon Magus.
... such a personage, and have resolved the account of him into a Jewish Christian fiction
produced in hostility to the apostle Paul, who under themask of Simon...
On Pleasing all Men
... Constant and careful dissimulation; always wearing amask; trusting no man upon
earth, so as to let him know his real thoughts, but perpetually seeming to mean...
A Treatise against Eutyches and Nestorius
... different subjects of representation. Now persona "mask" is derived from
personare, with a circumflex on the penultimate. But if the...
The Paradoxes of Christianity
... This puzzled me; the charges seemed inconsistent. Christianity could not at once
be the blackmask on a white world, and also the whitemask on a black world....
What Good Does it do Me that He Declares on his Oath that it was...
... You openly assail your friend, and set out charges against him under themask of
an admirer; and he is not even to be allowed to prove himself a catholic, or...
The Career of the Antichrist
... But at a later stage he will throw off hismask, and appear in his true
character as the opponent of Christ and the defier of God....
Sixth Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Christian Living.
... It is terrified by themask of death, and imagines that it is still suffering the
old death; for it does not understand the spiritual dying unto sin....
Thesaurus
Mask (3 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) A cover, or partial cover, for the face, used for disguise or protection;
as, a dancer's
mask; a fencer's
mask; a ball player's
mask.
...Jest (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A deed; an action. 2. (n.) Amask; a pageant; an interlude.... 5. (vi) To take
part in a merrymaking; -- especially, to act in amask or interlude....
Wickedness (232 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:40 and who swallow up the property of widows and thenmask their wickedness
by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment." (WEY...
Personality
... The word "person" (Latin, persona) is derived from themask through which
an actor spoke his part (persona). "From being applied...
Swallow (38 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:40 and who swallow up the property of widows and thenmask their wickedness
by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment." (WEY...
Property (212 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:40 and who swallow up the property of widows and thenmask their wickedness
by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment...
Making (644 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:40 and who swallow up the property of widows and thenmask their wickedness
by making long prayers: these men will receive far heavier punishment...
Masquerade (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A costume party of persons wearing masks; a disguise or false outward
appearance. 2. (n.) A dramatic performance by actors in masks; amask. SeeMask....
Maskil (13 Occurrences)
Veil (67 Occurrences)
... hide or protect the face. 2. (n.) A cover; disguise; amask; a pretense. 3.
(n.) The calyptra of mosses. 4. (n.) A membrane connecting...
Resources
What does the Bible say about toxic relationships? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about hypocrisy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about androgyny? | GotQuestions.orgMask: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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