Muffler (רִעִל, ra'al, a reeling, as in Zec 12:2; Sept. and Vulg. undistinguishable), a term occurring in Isa 3:19, among articles of female apparel or ornament, and thought by Gesenius (Heb. Lex. s.v.) to signify a veil, from its tremulous motion, the corresponding Arabic word denoting a similar article of dress. SEE VEIL. The margin of the Auth. Vers. has "spangled ornaments," a mere conjecture. Roberts explains the ornaments spoken of by reference to the costume of the women of India: "The 'chains,' as consisting first of one most beautifully worked with a pendant ornament for the neck; there is also a profusion of others, which go round the same part, and rest on the bosom. In making curious chains, the goldsmiths of England do not surpass those of the East. The 'bracelets' are large ornaments for the wrists, in which are sometimes enclosed small bells. The 'mufflers' are, so far as I can judge, not for the face, but for the breasts." Kitto however, accedes to the opinion .of Gesenius that the last are a species of outdoor veil (see Daily Bible Illustra. ad loc.). SEE ATTIRE.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More