JBL 137, no. 2 (2018): 501-517 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.15699/jbl. 1372.2018.346666 Veiling among Men in Roman Corinth: 1 Corinthians 11:4 and the Potential Problem of East Meeting West PRESTON T. MASSEY
[email protected] Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, IN 46953 Close attention to the original meaning of the words κατακαλύπτω (1 Cor 11:6) and κατά κεφαλής εχων ( 1 Cor 11:4) permits a translation only of a material head covering. These words do not describe the process of letting hair hang down loosely. These words are consistently used in Classical and Hellenistic Greek to describe the action of covering the head with a textile covering of some kind. In spite of sustained efforts by advocates, the long-hair theory still has not sue- ceeded in gaining an entry into standard reference works. The original edition of BAGD in 1957, the revised edition in 1979, and the more recent edition of BDAG in 2000 all support the view that the text of 1 Cor 11:2-16 describes an artificial textile head covering of some kind. In 1988, Richard Oster published a provocative article detailing the cultural practice of Roman men wearing head coverings in a liturgical setting.*1 His study called attention to the value of the artifactual evidence as well as the many literary texts documenting the widespread use of veiling among Roman men. His purpose was to establish the fact that it was obligatory for elite Roman men in certain ritual settings to wear a head covering. His article did not focus on the element of shame.