Lexical Summary katapetasma: Veil, curtain Original Word: καταπέτασμα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance a curtain or veilFrom a compound of kata and a congener of petomai; something spread thoroughly, i.e. (specially) the door screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple -- vail. see GREEK kata see GREEK petomai NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and petannumi (to spread out) Definition a curtain (the inner veil of the temple) NASB Translation veil (6). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2665: καταπέτασμακαταπέτασμα, καταπετάσματος, τό (καταπετάννυμι to spread out over, to cover), an Alex. Greek word for παραπέτασμα. which the other Greeks use from Herodotus down; a veil spread out, a curtain — the name given in the Greek Scriptures, as well as in the writings of Philo and Josephus, to the two curtains in the temple at Jerusalem (τά καταπετάσματα, 1 Macc. 4:51; (yet cf. Edersheim, Jesus the Messiah, 2:611)): one of them (Hebrew מָסָך) at the entrance of the temple separated the Holy place from the outer court (Exodus 26:37; Exodus 38:18; Numbers 3:26; Josephus, b. j. 5, 5, 4; it is called also τό κάλυμμα by the Sept. and Philo, Exodus 27:16; Numbers 3:25; Philo, vit. Moys. 3: §§ 5 and 9), the other veiled the Holy of holies from the Holy place (in Hebrew the פָּרֹכֶת; ἐνδοτερον καταπέτασμα, Josephus, Antiquities 8, 3, 3; τό ἐσωτατον καταπέτασμα Philo de gig. § 12; by the Sept. and Philo this is called pre-eminently τό καταπέτασμα, Exodus 26:31ff; Leviticus 21:23; Leviticus 24:3; Philo, vit. Moys. as above). This latter καταπέτασμα is the only one mentioned in the N. T.: τό καταπέτασμα τοῦ ναοῦ, Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45; τό δεύτερον καταπέτασμα, Hebrews 9:3; τό ἐσώτερον τοῦ καταπετάσματος (cf. Leviticus 16:2, 12, 15; Exodus 26:33) the space more inward them the veil, equivalent to 'the space within the veil,' i. e. the Holy of holies, figuratively used of heaven, as the true abode of God, Hebrews 6:19; in a similar figurative way the body of Christ is called καταπέτασμα, in (Heb.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Old Testament Background The καταπέτασμα was the heavy inner curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in both Tabernacle and Temple (Exodus 26:31-35; 2 Chronicles 3:14). Woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and embroidered with cherubim, it visibly marked the boundary between a holy God and sinful humanity. Only the high priest, and only on the Day of Atonement, could pass this barrier, bearing atoning blood for himself and the nation (Leviticus 16). Occurrences in the New Testament Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45; Hebrews 6:19; Hebrews 9:3; Hebrews 10:20. Each occurrence consciously echoes the Old Testament veil while unfolding its fulfillment in Christ. Narrative Significance in the Gospels Matthew, Mark, and Luke report that when Jesus surrendered His spirit, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51; see Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). The tear begins “from top,” signaling an act of God rather than of man. In the same moment the earth quakes, graves open, and centurions confess; the rent veil thus becomes the central sign that Christ’s death has accomplished divine reconciliation (Isaiah 59:1-2 fulfilled). Doctrinal Significance in Hebrews Hebrews uses the term three times to develop its high-priestly Christology. Christological Fulfillment and Atonement The καταπέτασμα therefore prefigures Christ’s mediatorial work. As the veil was fashioned of cherubic imagery, so Christ embodies the meeting point of heaven and earth (John 1:51). As its tearing coincided with the outpouring of His blood, so atonement is achieved not by ritual repetition but by a single, perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26-28). Implications for Worship and Ministry 1. Direct Access: Believers approach the Father “by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:18) without earthly intermediaries. Corporate worship is therefore a gathering of priests whose entrance has been secured. Pastoral and Devotional Application The motif encourages confidence in prayer, conscience-cleansing through confession, and assurance during spiritual attack (Hebrews 10:22-23). It also warns against treating access lightly; those who reject the Son cannot expect entrance (Hebrews 10:29). Eschatological Expectation Revelation envisions no temple in the New Jerusalem “because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple” (Revelation 21:22). The earthly veil, already rendered obsolete, will give way to unmediated, eternal fellowship when faith becomes sight. Related Old Testament Passages Exodus 26; Leviticus 16; Numbers 4:5; 1 Kings 6:19-35; Psalm 24; Isaiah 6:1-7. Each text supplies background to the veil’s symbolism, deepening appreciation for its New Testament fulfillment. Forms and Transliterations καταπετασθή καταπετασμα καταπέτασμα καταπετάσματι καταπετασματος καταπετάσματος καταπέτασματος κατάπικροι κατεπήδησεν κατέπηξαν katapetasma katapétasma katapetasmatos katapetásmatosLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:51 N-NNSGRK: ἰδοὺ τὸ καταπέτασμα τοῦ ναοῦ NAS: And behold, the veil of the temple KJV: behold, the veil of the temple INT: behold the veil of the temple Mark 15:38 N-NNS Luke 23:45 N-NNS Hebrews 6:19 N-GNS Hebrews 9:3 N-ANS Hebrews 10:20 N-GNS Strong's Greek 2665 |
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