The Hebrews in ancient times, aside from wearing a headdress as an article of apparel, would cover their heads to signify a condition of mourning. (2Sa 15:30; Jer 14:3) Women also showed modesty in this way. When Rebekah was about to meet Isaac, “she proceeded to take a headcloth and to cover herself,” evidently as a symbol of her subjection to him as the one who was to become her husband.​—Ge 24:65; see HEADDRESS; HEADSHIP.

Types of Headdress in Hebrew Scriptures. The head covering first mentioned in the Bible is the headcloth that Rebekah put on when she met Isaac. (Ge 24:65) The Hebrew word used here is tsa·ʽiphʹ, elsewhere translated “shawl.” (Ge 38:14, 19) The wearing of this “headcloth” evidently signified Rebekah’s subjection to her betrothed Isaac.