Veil (2)
The Veil in the Tabernacle
When God gave Moses instructions for building the tabernacle in the wilderness, He specified that a veil should be made of fine twisted linen in blue, purple, and scarlet, with cherubim skillfully embroidered into its fabric (Exodus 26:31). This veil hung between the Holy Place, where priests ministered daily, and the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant rested beneath the mercy seat.
The veil was distinct from the screen that hung at the entrance to the tabernacle (Exodus 35:12, 15). While the outer screen separated the world from the sacred space, the inner veil marked the most profound boundary in Israelite worship: the threshold of God's immediate presence. Only the high priest could pass beyond this curtain, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, carrying the blood of sacrifice (Leviticus 16:2, 15).
The Veil's Sacred Function
The veil served multiple purposes in Israel's worship. Practically, it shielded the Ark of the Covenant from view. When the tabernacle was moved, the priests would take down the veil and use it to wrap the Ark before transport (Numbers 4:5). Because of its proximity to the Ark, the veil itself took on special significance and was sometimes called "the veil of the testimony" (Leviticus 24:3).
Theologically, the veil was a visible declaration that sin creates a barrier between God and humanity. The cherubim woven into the fabric recalled the cherubim placed at the entrance to Eden after Adam and Eve's expulsion (Genesis 3:24), reinforcing the message that humanity's access to God's presence had been blocked by sin. The elaborate beauty of the veil — its costly materials and skilled craftsmanship — also communicated that what lay beyond was of supreme value and holiness.
The Veil in Solomon's Temple and Beyond
When Solomon built the permanent temple in Jerusalem, he included a veil of blue, purple, crimson, and fine linen with cherubim worked into it (2 Chronicles 3:14). In Solomon's temple, the veil was further protected by doors of olive wood (1 Kings 6:31-32). The temple that Herod the Great rebuilt and expanded also contained a veil, which Jewish sources describe as an enormous and magnificent curtain.
The Mishnah records details about the temple veil in Herod's time, describing it as approximately sixty feet high, thirty feet wide, and the thickness of a man's hand. It was reportedly so heavy that it required hundreds of priests to handle it. While these exact measurements may contain some exaggeration, they convey the imposing nature of this sacred barrier.
The Tearing of the Veil
The most dramatic moment in the veil's history came at the crucifixion of Jesus. All three Synoptic Gospels record that at the moment of Christ's death, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The detail that it was torn "from top to bottom" emphasizes that this was an act of God, not human hands.
This event carried profound theological meaning. The barrier between God and humanity was permanently removed through Christ's sacrificial death. What the high priest could approach only once a year with animal blood, every believer could now access freely through the blood of Jesus.
The Veil in Christian Theology
The writer of Hebrews drew out the full significance of the torn veil. He described believers as having "confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body" (Hebrews 10:19-20). Just as the veil was torn, Christ's body was broken, and through that sacrifice a permanent way of access to God was established.
Hebrews further explains that the old arrangement, with its veil and restricted access, was "an illustration for the present time" pointing to something greater (Hebrews 9:8-9). The earthly tabernacle and its veil were shadows of heavenly realities. Christ, as the great high priest, entered not an earthly sanctuary but heaven itself, appearing in the presence of God on behalf of all who trust in Him (Hebrews 9:24).
Biblical Context
The veil is described in detail in the tabernacle instructions (Exodus 26:31-35; 36:35) and is referenced throughout the Pentateuch in connection with the Ark, the Day of Atonement, and priestly service (Leviticus 16:2, 12, 15; 24:3; Numbers 4:5). It appears in Solomon's temple (2 Chronicles 3:14) and is mentioned in connection with Herod's temple at the crucifixion (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The book of Hebrews provides the fullest theological interpretation of the veil's meaning (Hebrews 6:19; 9:3; 10:19-20).
Theological Significance
The veil is one of the most powerful symbols in Scripture, representing the separation between God and humanity caused by sin. Its tearing at Christ's death is a defining moment in redemptive history, declaring that the sacrificial system is fulfilled and direct access to God is now available to all through faith in Christ. The writer of Hebrews identifies the veil with Christ's body (Hebrews 10:20), establishing a profound connection between the curtain's tearing and Christ's physical suffering. This event transformed worship from a mediated, restricted experience to an intimate, direct relationship with God.
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern temples commonly featured inner sanctums restricted to priests, but the Israelite veil was unique in its theological significance. The Mishnah (Shekalim 8:5; Middot 4:7) describes the temple veil as an enormous, elaborately woven curtain. Josephus also describes the temple veil as a Babylonian tapestry of great beauty, embroidered with a panorama representing the heavens. Archaeological evidence from other ancient temples confirms the practice of using curtains to screen inner sanctums. The Roman historian Tacitus and other ancient writers noted the Jewish temple's unusual arrangement, though they misunderstood its theological purpose.