Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VEIL OF THE TEMPLE

Of the curtains of the tabernacle (Exod. 26) and temple (cf. Yoma 5.1), two were of particular importance. The “inner veil” (Heb. pārōḵeṯ) screened the holy of holies (dĕḇîr), separating it from the holy place sanctuary (hêḵāl); within this space the high priest officiated once a year on the Day of Atonement (Exod. 26:31-33; Lev. 16:12-15; Josephus BJ 5.219; Philo Life of Moses 2.101: Heb. 9:3). The “outer veil” (māsāḵ) hung at the entrance to the tabernacle sanctuary; inside the priests offered the daily incense offering (Exod. 26:36; Josephus BJ 5.212; Philo Spec. leg. 1.171, 274; Ep. Arist. 86). The linguistic distinction between the terms is usually maintained in Hebrew, but not in the LXX which uses Gk. katapétasma for both, nor in the writings of Josephus or Philo. The “house of the veil” (most likely the inner curtain) designates the sanctuary of the temple in Sir. 50:5.

The rendering (by God) of the veil (katapétasma) of the temple sanctuary, in response to (Matt. 27:51; Mark 15:38) or preceding (Luke 23:45) the death of Jesus could refer to either curtain, though most take it to refer to the inner because of its particular significance. In all three it seems primarily an ominous sign for the temple and its cult, though less emphatic in Luke. It probably also conveys the positive sense of a new beginning. In Hebrews (cf. Heb. 10:19-20) Jesus’ passing through the inner veil opens a new way to God for believers.

Bibliography. H. W. Attridge, The Epistle to the Hebrews. Herm (Philadelphia, 1989); R. E. Brown, The Death of the Messiah (New York, 1994) 2:1097-1113; F. Ó. Fearghail, “Sir 50, 5-21: Yom Kippur or the Daily Whole-Offering?” Bibl 59 (1978): 301-16; O. Hofius, “Katapétasma, -atos,” EDNT 2:266; D. D. Sylva, “The Temple Curtain and Jesus’ Death in the Gospel of Luke,” JBL 105 (1986): 239-50.

Fearghus Ó. Fearghail

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

VEIL OF THE TEMPLE

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)