Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  7000 God's people  »  7300 Institutions and culture of OT  »  7344 curtain

Mentioned chiefly in relation to the construction of the tabernacle. The curtain which separated off the Most Holy Place symbolised the separation between God and humanity. The tearing of the curtain when Jesus Christ was crucified symbolised the end of this separation and gave access into God's presence for believers.

Curtains for the construction of the tabernacle

Exodus 26:1-6 See also Exodus 36:8-13

Exodus 26:7-13 See also Exodus 36:14-18

Exodus 26:36-37 See also Exodus 36:37-38

Exodus 27:9-18 See also Exodus 38:9-19; Exodus 35:10-17 pp Exodus 39:33-40; Numbers 3:25-26

The curtain in the Most Holy Place

The Most Holy Place shielded with a curtain

Hebrews 9:2-4 See also Exodus 26:31-33; Exodus 40:2-3,21; Numbers 4:5; 2 Chronicles 3:14 As in the tabernacle, the Most Holy Place in Solomon's temple was shut off with a curtain.

The curtain symbolises separation from God

Leviticus 16:2 See also Numbers 18:7; Hebrews 9:6-9

The curtain indicates the hiddenness of God

Psalm 18:11 pp 2 Samuel 22:12 See also Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11; Job 22:14; Psalm 97:2; 1 Timothy 6:16

The torn curtain symbolises access to God

Matthew 27:51 pp Mark 15:38 pp Luke 23:45 Hebrews 10:19-20 See also Hebrews 6:19-20

Other examples of tent curtains

Songs 1:5; Isaiah 54:2

See also

2530  Christ, death of
5211  art
5272  craftsmen
5578  tents
6606  access to God
7396  Most Holy Place
7459  tabernacle, in OT
7467  temple, Solomon's
7469  temple, Herod's
7474  Tent of Meeting
8266  holiness
8341  separation