Topical Encyclopedia The vail of the Tabernacle and Temple holds profound typological significance in the Christian tradition, symbolizing the person and work of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, the vail served as a physical barrier separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the presence of God dwelt. This separation underscored the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity, highlighting the need for a mediator.The Vail in the Tabernacle and Temple The vail was first introduced in the Tabernacle, as described in Exodus 26:31-33: "You are to make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. Hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the testimony behind the veil. The veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place." In Solomon's Temple, the vail continued to serve the same purpose, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 3:14: "He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it." Typology of the Vail The vail's typology is rich and multifaceted, pointing to Christ in several ways: 1. Separation and Access: The vail represented the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2, 34). This foreshadowed Christ's role as the ultimate High Priest, who would provide access to God through His sacrificial death. Hebrews 9:7-8 explains, "But only the high priest entered the inner room, and then only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. By this arrangement the Holy Spirit was showing that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing." 2. The Rending of the Vail: At the moment of Christ's death, the vail of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). This miraculous event signified the end of the old covenant and the establishment of a new covenant, granting believers direct access to God through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:19-20 states, "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." 3. The Flesh of Christ: The vail is also seen as a type of Christ's flesh. Hebrews 10:20 refers to the vail as "His body," indicating that just as the vail was the barrier to the Most Holy Place, so Christ's body was the means through which believers gain access to God. His sacrificial death tore the vail, symbolizing the removal of the barrier of sin. 4. The Colors and Materials: The materials and colors of the vail—blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen—are often interpreted as representing various aspects of Christ's nature and work. Blue symbolizes His heavenly origin, purple His royal kingship, scarlet His atoning sacrifice, and fine linen His purity and righteousness. In summary, the vail of the Tabernacle and Temple serves as a profound type of Christ, illustrating His role as the mediator between God and humanity, His sacrificial death that grants believers access to the Father, and His fulfillment of the old covenant through the establishment of the new. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 40:21And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Chronicles 3:14 Hebrews 10:20 Library Scriptural Types. Index of Subjects. The Copies of Things in the Heavens A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody: Interpretation of Prophecy. Differences in Judgment About Water Baptism, no Bar to Communion ... An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ... Resources What are the different types of fasting? | GotQuestions.orgHow should Christians view the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)? | GotQuestions.org Does the Enneagram of Personality contradict the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Types of Christ: Ark of the Covenant Types of Christ: Atonement, Sacrifices offered on the Day of Types of Christ: Brazen Serpent Types of Christ: Burnt offering Types of Christ: Cities of Refuge Types of Christ: Golden Candlestick Types of Christ: Jacob's Ladder Types of Christ: Laver of Brass Types of Christ: Leper's offering Types of Christ: Morning and Evening Sacrifices Types of Christ: Peace offerings Types of Christ: Rock of Horeb Types of Christ: Table and Show Bread Types of Christ: Trespass offering Types of Christ: Vail of the Tabernacle and Temple Types of the Saviour: High Priest, Typical of the Mediatorship Types of the Saviour: Melchizedek Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Altar Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Laver Types of the Saviour: The Bronze Serpent Types of the Saviour: The Cities of Refuge Types of the Saviour: The Curtain Types of the Saviour: The Institutions Ordained by Moses Types of the Saviour: The Mercy-Seat Types of the Saviour: The Morning and Evening Sacrifice Types of the Saviour: The Paschal Lamb Types of the Saviour: The Red Heifer Types of the Saviour: The Sacrifices Types of the Saviour: The Tree of Life Types: Miscellaneous: Bride, a Type of the Body of Christ Types: Miscellaneous: The Sanctuary a Type of the Heavenly Sanctuary Types: Miscellaneous: The Saving of Noah and his Family, of the Salvation Through the Gospel Related Terms |
    |