Topical Bible: Vail

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "vail" is an archaic English word that is synonymous with "veil." In biblical contexts, a vail refers to a covering or curtain, often used symbolically or literally to denote separation, concealment, or modesty. The concept of a vail is significant in various passages throughout the Bible, serving both practical and theological purposes.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the vail is most prominently featured in the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple. The vail served as a physical barrier separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, or the Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This vail symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Only the High Priest was permitted to pass beyond the vail, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:2, 15).

Exodus 26:33 describes the construction of the vail: "Hang the veil under the clasps, and there behind the veil you shall bring the ark of the Testimony, and the veil will divide for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place."

The vail's presence in the Tabernacle and later in Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 3:14) underscored the holiness of God and the need for atonement and mediation.

New Testament Significance

In the New Testament, the vail takes on profound theological significance with the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. At the moment of Jesus' death, the vail in the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45). This miraculous event symbolized the removal of the barrier between God and humanity, signifying that through Jesus' sacrificial death, believers now have direct access to God. The tearing of the vail represents the new covenant and the fulfillment of the law through Christ.

Hebrews 10:19-20 elaborates on this theme: "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."

Symbolic and Cultural Aspects

Beyond its literal use, the vail also carries symbolic meanings in Scripture. In 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 , the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of a vail to describe the spiritual blindness of those who do not recognize Christ: "But their minds were closed. For to this day the same veil remains at the reading of the old covenant. It has not been lifted, because only in Christ can it be removed. And even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away."

In cultural contexts, the vail is also associated with modesty and propriety, as seen in the customs of women covering their heads (Genesis 24:65, 1 Corinthians 11:5-6).

Conclusion

The concept of the vail in the Bible is rich with meaning, serving as a powerful symbol of separation and reconciliation. It highlights the holiness of God, the need for atonement, and the transformative work of Christ in bridging the gap between God and humanity.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(1.) Hebrews mitpahath (Ruth 3:15; marg., "sheet" or "apron;" R.V., "mantle"). In Isaiah 3:22 this word is plural, rendered "wimples;" R.V., "shawls" i.e., wraps.

(2.) Massekah (Isaiah 25:7; in Isaiah 28:20 rendered "covering"). The word denotes something spread out and covering or concealing something else (Comp. 2 Corinthians 3:13-15).

(3.) Masveh (Exodus 34:33, 35), the veil on the face of Moses. This verse should be read, "And when Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face," as in the Revised Version. When Moses spoke to them he was without the veil; only when he ceased speaking he put on the veil (Comp. 2 Corinthians 3:13, etc.).

(4.) Paroheth (Exodus 26:31-35), the veil of the tabernacle and the temple, which hung between the holy place and the most holy (2 Chronicles 3:14). In the temple a partition wall separated these two places. In it were two folding-doors, which are supposed to have been always open, the entrance being concealed by the veil which the high priest lifted when he entered into the sanctuary on the day of Atonement. This veil was rent when Christ died on the cross (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45).

(5.) Tza'iph (Genesis 24:65). Rebekah "took a vail and covered herself." (See also 38:14, 19.) Hebrew women generally appeared in public without veils (12:14; 24:16; 29:10; 1 Samuel 1:12).

(6.) Radhidh (Cant. 5:7, R.V. "mantle;Isaiah 3:23). The word probably denotes some kind of cloak or wrapper.

(7.) Masak, the veil which hung before the entrance to the holy place (Exodus 26:36, 37).

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n. & v. t.) Same as Veil.

2. (n.) Avails; profit; return; proceeds.

3. (n.) An unexpected gain or acquisition; a casual advantage or benefit; a windfall.

4. (n.) Money given to servants by visitors; a gratuity; -- usually in the plural.

5. (v. t.) To let fail; to allow or cause to sink.

6. (v. t.) To lower, or take off, in token of inferiority, reverence, submission, or the like.

7. (v. i.) To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by yielding, uncovering, or the like.

8. (n.) Submission; decline; descent.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

VAIL

val.

See VEIL.

Greek

2665. katapetasma -- a curtain (the inner veil of the temple)
... a compound of kata and a congener of petomai; something spread thoroughly, ie
(specially) the door screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple -- vail ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2665.htm - 6k

2571. kalumma -- a covering
... Word Origin from kalupto Definition a covering NASB Word Usage veil (4). a covering,
veil. From kalupto; a cover, ie Veil -- vail. see GREEK kalupto. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2571.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

4304. mitpachath -- a cloak
... Word Origin from taphach Definition a cloak NASB Word Usage cloak (1), cloaks (1).
vail, wimple. From taphach; a wide cloak (for a woman) -- vail, wimple. ...
/hebrew/4304.htm - 6k

6532. paroketh -- a curtain
... vail. Feminine active participle of the same as perek; a separatrix, ie (the sacred)
screen -- vail. see HEBREW perek. 6531, 6532. paroketh. 6533 . ...
/hebrew/6532.htm - 6k

6809. tsaiph -- a wrapper, shawl, or veil
... Word Usage veil (3). vail. From an unused root meaning to wrap over; a veil --
vail. 6808, 6809. tsaiph. 6810 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6809.htm - 5k

4541. maccekah -- a libation, molten metal or image
... a libation, molten metal or image. Transliteration: maccekah Phonetic Spelling:
(mas-say-kaw') Short Definition: covering. covering, molten image, vail ...
/hebrew/4541.htm - 5k

7289. radid -- a wide wrapper, large veil
... vail, veil. From radad in the sense of spreading; a veil (as expanded) -- vail,
veil. see HEBREW radad. 7288, 7289. radid. 7290 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7289.htm - 6k

4533. masveh -- a veil
... Usage veil (3). vail. Apparently from an unused root meaning to cover; a veil --
vail. 4532, 4533. masveh. 4534 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4533.htm - 5k

Library

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 52, "Therefore Every ...
... 5. But why were they such as they were? "Because," says St. Paul, "the vail is upon
their heart. ... How the vail then is taken away, the Apostle himself tells us. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxiv on the words.htm

Perfection in Faith
... The first meaning of my text is this. The child of God is a priest, and
as a priest he is sanctified to enter within the vail. He ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/perfection in faith.htm

The Redeemer's Prayer
... censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the Lord, and his
hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail: and he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the redeemers prayer.htm

The Day of Atonement
... the Lord, and died; 2. And the Lord said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother,
that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

The Tenth Chapter of the Gospel of John. Of the Shepherd, and the ...
... For Moses represented Him, and for this reason did he put a vail before him, when
he was speaking to the people; because as long as they were in the law given ...
/.../sermon lxxxvii the tenth chapter.htm

Cannot be Proved from Scripture, that Believers under the Old ...
... entered into heaven. Yet he did not ascend there before Christ, nor before
the vail of the temple had been rent in twain.". But to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article x it cannot be.htm

Heavenly Worship
... O Lord God of hosts, my King and my God!" Sion is now desolate; she hath been ravished
by the enemy; she hath been utterly destroyed; her vail hath been rent ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/heavenly worship.htm

With the Opening of this ChapterWe Come to Quite a Different Theme ...
... brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by the new and
living way which He hath consecrated for us through the vail,"that is to ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter v with the opening.htm

He Delighted in Latin Studies and the Empty Fables of the Poets ...
... But it is true that over the entrance of the grammar school there hangs a vail;
[169] but this is not so much a sign of the majesty of the mystery, as of a ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xiii he delighted in latin.htm

The Day of Atonement
... but the day of atonement being the type of the one great propitiation, it was but
once a year that the high priest entered within the vail with blood as the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the day of atonement.htm

Thesaurus

Vail (44 Occurrences)
... Rebekah "took a vail and covered herself." (See also 38:14, 19.) Hebrew women generally
appeared in public without veils (12:14; 24:16; 29:10; 1 Samuel 1:12). ...
/v/vail.htm - 22k

Taches (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest
bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall ...
/t/taches.htm - 8k

Mayst (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang the vail under the buttons, that thou mayst bring
in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall ...
/m/mayst.htm - 8k

Buttons (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang the vail under the buttons, that thou mayst bring
in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall ...
/b/buttons.htm - 8k

Separation (50 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou hast put the vail under the hooks, and hast brought in thither
within the vail the ark of the testimony; and the vail hath made a ...
/s/separation.htm - 23k

Thither (119 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest
bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall ...
/t/thither.htm - 38k

Veil (67 Occurrences)
... Rebekah "took a vail and covered herself." (See also 38:14, 19.) Hebrew women generally
appeared in public without veils (12:14; 24:16; 29:10; 1 Samuel 1:12). ...
/v/veil.htm - 35k

Divide (71 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest
bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall ...
/d/divide.htm - 31k

Cherubs (52 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:31 And thou hast made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined
linen, work of a designer; he maketh it 'with' cherubs; (YLT). ...
/c/cherubs.htm - 22k

Partition (4 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:33 And thou hast put the vail under the hooks, and hast brought in thither
within the vail the ark of the testimony; and the vail hath made a ...
/p/partition.htm - 14k

Resources

What was the Holy of Holies? | GotQuestions.org

What was Herod's temple? | GotQuestions.org

Is the priesthood of all believers biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Vail: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Vail (44 Occurrences)

Matthew 27:51
And behold, the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom: and the earth shook, and the rocks rent;
(WBS YLT)

Mark 15:38
And the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the top to the bottom.
(WBS)

Luke 23:45
And the sun was darkened, and the vail of the temple was rent in the midst.
(WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:13
And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
(KJV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:14
But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
(KJV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:15
But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.
(KJV WBS YLT)

2 Corinthians 3:16
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Hebrews 6:19
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the vail;
(WBS YLT)

Hebrews 9:3
And after the second vail, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
(WBS YLT)

Hebrews 10:20
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh;
(WBS YLT)

Genesis 24:65
For she had said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant had said, It is my master: therefore she took a vail, and covered herself.
(KJV WBS)

Genesis 38:19
And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 26:31
And thou shalt make a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubim shall it be made:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 26:33
And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 26:35
And thou shalt set the table without the vail, and the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south: and thou shalt put the table on the north side.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 30:6
And thou shalt put it before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that is over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 34:33
And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 34:34
But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the vail off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 34:35
And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 35:12
The ark, and the staves thereof, with the mercy seat, and the vail of the covering,
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 36:35
And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim made he it of cunning work.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 38:27
And of the hundred talents of silver were cast the sockets of the sanctuary, and the sockets of the vail; an hundred sockets of the hundred talents, a talent for a socket.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 39:34
And the covering of rams' skins dyed red, and the covering of badgers' skins, and the vail of the covering,
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 40:3
And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 40:21
And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 40:22
And he put the table in the tent of the congregation, upon the side of the tabernacle northward, without the vail.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Exodus 40:26
And he put the golden altar in the tent of the congregation before the vail:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 4:6
And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 4:17
And the priest shall dip his finger in some of the blood, and sprinkle it seven times before the LORD, even before the vail.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 16:2
And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy place within the vail before the mercy seat, which is upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 16:12
And he shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the vail:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 16:15
Then shall he kill the goat of the sin offering, that is for the people, and bring his blood within the vail, and do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bullock, and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat, and before the mercy seat:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 21:23
Only he shall not go in unto the vail, nor come nigh unto the altar, because he hath a blemish; that he profane not my sanctuaries: for I the LORD do sanctify them.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Leviticus 24:3
Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Numbers 3:25
And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tent of meeting 'is' the tabernacle, and the tent, its covering, and the vail at the opening of the tent of meeting,
(YLT)

Numbers 3:26
and the hangings of the court, and the vail at the opening of the court, which 'is' by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and its cords, to all its service.
(YLT)

Numbers 3:31
And their charge 'is' the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary with which they serve, and the vail, and all its service.
(YLT)

Numbers 4:5
And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
(KJV WBS YLT)

Numbers 4:25
and they have borne the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tent of meeting, its covering, and the covering of the badger 'skin' which 'is' on it above, and the vail at the opening of the tent of meeting,
(YLT)

Numbers 18:7
Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Ruth 3:15
Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.
(KJV WBS)

2 Chronicles 3:14
And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubim thereon.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Song of Songs 5:7
The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my vail from me.
(WBS)

Isaiah 25:7
And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

the Sacred Vail of the Flesh of Christ Which Concealed his Divinity

the Sacred Vail of the Obscurity of the Mosaic Age

the Sacred Vail was Rent at the Death of Our Lord

the Sacred Vail: (Tearing of) the Death of Christ Which Opened Heaven To

the Sacred Vail: Designed to Conceal the Ark, Mercy Seat, and the Symbol of

the Sacred Vail: Hung Between the Holy and Most Holy Place

the Sacred Vail: Made by Bezaleel for the Tabernacle

the Sacred Vail: Made by Solomon for the Temple

the Sacred Vail: Moses Commanded to Make

the Sacred Vail: Suspended from Four Pillars of Shittim Wood Overlaid With

the Sacred Vail: The High Priest: Allowed to Enter But Once a Year