Original Word: מִסְפָחָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: micpachah
Pronunciation: mis-paw-khaw'
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-paw-khaw')
KJV: kerchief
NASB: veils
Word Origin: [from H5596 (סָפַח שָׂפַח - assign)]

1. a veil (as spread out)

kerchief

From caphach; a veil (as spread out) -- kerchief.

see HEBREW caphach

Word Origin
from the same as sappachath
Definition
a long veil
NASB Translation
veils (2).

[מִסְמָּחָה] noun feminine long veil (properly sheathing?) covering whole person; plural absolute וְעשֹׁוֺת הַמִּסְמָּחוֺת עַלרֿאֹשׁ Ezekiel 13:18; suffix מִסְמְּחֹתֵיכֶם Ezekiel 13:21.

סִמַּי see ספף.

Definition and Semantic Range

מִסְפָחָה designates a textile covering—translated by the Berean Standard Bible as “veil” (Ezekiel 13:18) and “magic veil” (Ezekiel 13:21). The term evokes the idea of spreading or overlaying, suggesting a broad cloth placed over the head or body. In Ezekiel it functions as an occult instrument, an accessory for deception rather than modesty or protection.

Biblical Occurrences

• Ezekiel 13:18 – False prophetesses “sew magic bands for all wrists and make veils for the heads of people of every stature in order to ensnare souls”.
• Ezekiel 13:21 – The LORD promises, “I will tear off your magic bands and deliver My people from your hands”, pairing the veils with wristbands as emblems of sorcery.

Historical Context

Ezekiel ministered among the exiles in Babylon around 593–571 BC. Chapter 13 exposes counterfeit prophets—men and women—who exploited Judah’s distress with promises of safety. The prophetesses employed visible props (mispachot and kesatot) to lend mystical credibility. Comparable Near Eastern religions used amuletic cloths and headgear in divination rites; here, such items infiltrated Israel’s community, contradicting Deuteronomy 18:10–12 and Leviticus 19:31.

Symbolism in Ezekiel’s Prophecy

1. Concealment of Truth: The veil hides reality, illustrating how false teachers obscure God’s word (Jeremiah 14:14).
2. Ensnarement of Souls: By “covering” the heads of their clients, the prophetesses metaphorically netted lives, much as fishermen cover their catch (Habakkuk 1:15).
3. Counterfeit Covering: Whereas the LORD alone is a refuge and covering (Psalm 91:4; Isaiah 25:7), the mispachah offers a satanic substitute, promising protection while leading to captivity.

Theological Themes

• Divine Jealousy for His People – The judgment pronounced (“I will tear off your magic bands,” Ezekiel 13:21) underscores God’s resolve to free Israel from every competing allegiance.
• Authority of Prophetic Revelation – Authentic prophecy accords with earlier revelation (Numbers 12:6; Isaiah 8:20). The mispachah episode demonstrates the peril of seeking guidance outside the word of God.
• Deliverance and Exposure – God both removes the deceptive covering and reveals the naked truth, foreshadowing the ultimate unveiling in Christ (Luke 12:2; Revelation 19:8).

Application for Ministry

1. Discernment in Teaching – Pastors and teachers must test every spiritual claim against Scripture (1 John 4:1), refusing modern equivalents of the mispachah—objects, rituals, or teachings that promise spiritual advantage apart from the gospel.
2. Protection of the Vulnerable – Ezekiel addresses souls “of every stature” (13:18), reminding the church to guard all demographics—young, old, wealthy, poor—from manipulative leaders (Acts 20:28–30).
3. Prophetic Integrity – Those who speak for God must renounce tricks and theatrics that draw attention to themselves rather than to Christ (2 Corinthians 4:2).

Connections to New Testament Teaching

Paul speaks of an Israelite “veil” that obscures the reading of the Old Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:14–16). While context differs, the imagery parallels Ezekiel: only divine intervention removes the covering. Jesus, by His atoning death, tore the temple veil (Matthew 27:51), granting unmediated access to God—an antithesis to the enslaving mispachah. Believers are therefore exhorted to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14), rejecting counterfeit coverings.

Homiletical Insights

A sermon on Ezekiel 13 might contrast three coverings:
• The False Covering (mispachah) – man-made, manipulative, temporary.
• The Figurative Covering of Unbelief – the veil over the heart.
• The Faithful Covering in Christ – His righteousness credited to believers (Isaiah 61:10; Philippians 3:9).

Conclusion

Though מִסְפָחָה appears only twice, its message resounds through Scripture: God unmasks deception and clothes His people in truth. The church’s mandate is to expose false veils, proclaim the unveiled Christ, and shelter souls under the everlasting wings of the Almighty.

הַמִּסְפָּח֛וֹת המספחות מִסְפְּחֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם מספחתיכם ham·mis·pā·ḥō·wṯ hammispaChot hammispāḥōwṯ mis·pə·ḥō·ṯê·ḵem mispechoteiChem mispəḥōṯêḵemInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts