Veil

<<curtain; covering>>

The Tabernacle, and then the Temple that replaced it, had a veil or curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies.  Although the priests daily attended to their duties in the Holy Place, the High Priest could only enter the Holy of Holies once a year (Ex 30:10; Heb 9:6,7).  It was here God’s earthly presence resided and access was restricted, with the veil a constant reminder that sin renders humanity unfit for the presence of God (Isa 59:1,2).

This thick veil (believed to be 100mm thick by up to 20m high) was made from blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. When Christ died on the cross, the veil was miraculously torn from the top to the bottom, indicating free access to God because of the significance of His death (Mk 15:38). It symbolized that His sacrifice, the shedding of His own blood, was a sufficient atonement for sins; the way into the Holy of Holies was open. Now all people can freely approach God directly through Christ, there being no need to come through any other intermediary or only at a set time (Heb 6:19,20, 9:1-14, 10:19-22). Jesus Christ, through His death, has removed the barriers between God and us, and now we may approach Him with confidence and boldness (Heb 4:14-16). The new covenant was being established, one in which God does not dwell in a temple built by human hands (Act 17:24; Heb 8:13).

seeing their need of a Saviour. Satan has blinded their minds, so that they cannot see ‘the light of the gospel’ (2 Cor 3:14-16, 4:4). In contrast, we who know the Lord have unveiled faces, so we can openly radiate or reflect His glory by letting our light (the Lord in us) shine as a witness to the world (Mt 5:16; 2 Cor 3:18).

Both the Islamic scarf worn by Muslim women and the bridal veil are worn to conceal the face.

See also: Tabernacle, Temple.