The curtain, or veil, in biblical texts holds profound symbolic significance, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple. It serves as a powerful representation of the separation between God and humanity due to sin, as well as the eventual reconciliation made possible through Jesus Christ.

The Tabernacle and the Temple

In the Old Testament, the curtain is first introduced in the construction of the Tabernacle, as described in the book of Exodus. God commands Moses to make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled craftsman (Exodus 26:31). This curtain was to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement, to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2, 34).

The Temple built by Solomon also featured a similar curtain, maintaining the same symbolic function. The veil served as a constant reminder of the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man, emphasizing the need for atonement and the mediation of a priest.

Symbolism of Separation

The curtain's primary symbolism is that of separation. It illustrates the barrier that sin creates between a holy God and sinful humanity. The presence of cherubim on the veil echoes the cherubim placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve's expulsion, symbolizing the loss of direct access to God due to sin (Genesis 3:24).

The Curtain Torn

The most significant event involving the curtain occurs at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. According to the Gospels, at the moment of Jesus' death, the curtain of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). This miraculous event holds deep theological significance. It symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, achieved through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus. As the author of Hebrews explains, "Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way opened for us through the curtain of His body" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Access to God

The tearing of the curtain signifies that believers now have direct access to God through Jesus Christ, the ultimate High Priest. This access is no longer limited to a select few but is available to all who come to God through faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul writes, "For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18).

A New Covenant

The curtain's tearing also marks the inauguration of the New Covenant, prophesied in the Old Testament and fulfilled in Christ. The sacrificial system of the Old Covenant, with its repeated offerings and the mediation of human priests, is replaced by the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. As Hebrews states, "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:12).

In summary, the curtain in biblical symbolism represents the separation caused by sin, the holiness of God, and the need for atonement. Its tearing at the crucifixion of Christ signifies the removal of this separation, granting believers direct access to God and establishing the New Covenant through Jesus' sacrificial death.