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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 26:31–37.
Two veils are here ordered to be made, 1. One for a partition between the holy place and the most holy, which not only forbade any to enter, but forbade them so much as to look into the holiest of all, Exo 26:31, Exo 26:33. Under that dispensation, divine grace was veiled, but now we behold it with open face, Co2 3:18. The apostle tells us (Heb 9:8, Heb 9:9) what was the meaning of this veil; it intimated that the ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the holiest of all was not made manifest while the first tabernacle was standing; life and immortality lay concealed till they were brought to light by the gospel, which was therefore signified by the rending of this veil at the death of Christ, Mat 27:51. We have not boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of devotion, by the blood of Jesus, yet such as obliges us to a holy reverence and a humble sense of our distance. 2. Another veil was for the outer door of the tabernacle, Exo 26:36, Exo 26:37. Through this first veil the priests went in every day to minister in the holy place, but not the people, Heb 9:6. This veil, which was all the defence the tabernacle had against thieves and robbers, might easily be broken through, for it could be neither locked nor barred, and the abundance of wealth in the tabernacle, one would think, might be a temptation; but by leaving it thus exposed, (1.) The priests and Levites would be so much the more obliged to keep a strict watch upon it, and, (2.) God would show his care of his church on earth, though it is weak and defenceless, and continually exposed. A curtain shall be (if God please to make it so) as strong a defence to his house as gates of brass and bars of iron.
Historical interpretation
Fifteen Centuries of Reception
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If the ancient custom of sacrifices is clear to you, let us see what these things also contain according to the mystical understanding. You heard that there were two sanctuaries, one, as it were, visible and open to the priests; the other, as it were, invisible and inaccessible. With the exception of the high priest alone, the others were outside. I think this first sanctuary can be understood as this church in which we are now placed in the flesh, in which the priests minister “at the altar of the whole burnt offerings,” with that fire kindled about which Jesus said, “I came to send fire unto the earth, and how I wish it to be ignited.” And I do not want you to marvel that this sanctuary is open only to the priests. For all who have been anointed with the chrism of the sacred anointing have become priests, just as Peter also says to all the church, “But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy people.” Therefore you are “a priestly race,” and because of this you approach the sanctuary.
The sanctuary: That part of the tabernacle, which was without the veil, into which the priests daily entered, is here called the sanctuary, or holy place; that part which was within the veil, into which no one but the high priest ever went, and he but once a year, is called the holy of holies, (literally, the sanctuary of the sanctuaries,) as being the most holy of all holy places.
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Summary
Exodus 26:33 offers precise divine instructions for the placement and purpose of the veil within the Tabernacle, a pivotal element in God's meticulously designed portable sanctuary for Israel. This substantial, intricately woven curtain served as a sacred partition, meticulously separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Testimony was housed. Its fundamental role was to underscore the absolute, unapproachable holiness of God and to strictly regulate access to His immediate presence, thereby powerfully symbolizing the profound spiritual chasm between a perfectly holy God and sinful humanity under the Old Covenant.
Context
Literary Context
Exodus 26:33 is embedded within a detailed block of divine blueprints for the construction of the Tabernacle, specifically outlined from Exodus 25 through Exodus 31. More precisely, Exodus 26 provides exhaustive specifications for the sanctuary's structural components, including its frames, bases, coverings, and internal hangings. The veil, as described in this verse, represents the ultimate interior division, demarcating the most sacred area. Its precise positioning is not arbitrary but is essential to the overall architectural and theological design, ensuring that the Ark of the Testimony—the tangible symbol of God's covenant presence—is properly sequestered within the Most Holy Place. This arrangement emphasizes the Ark's unparalleled sanctity and the highly regulated nature of approaching the divine. Therefore, this verse is a crucial piece in the elaborate mosaic of God's prescribed dwelling place among His chosen people.
Historical & Cultural Context
At the time these instructions were given, the Israelites were a recently liberated, nomadic people journeying through the wilderness after their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt. God's command to construct the Tabernacle (as articulated in Exodus 25:8) provided a tangible, portable manifestation of His presence among them, establishing a divinely ordained system of worship, sacrifice, and atonement. While temples were common in the ancient Near East, the Israelite Tabernacle was unique in its singular focus on one holy God and its meticulous, divinely mandated separation of sacred space. The veil itself, as detailed in Exodus 26:31, was not merely a decorative curtain; it was crafted from fine twined linen, adorned with blue, purple, and scarlet threads, and skillfully embroidered with cherubim. This rich, heavy fabric served as a substantial physical and symbolic barrier, powerfully reinforcing the concept of God's transcendent holiness and the limited access sinful humanity had to His unmediated presence. The very existence of such an impenetrable barrier vividly highlighted the unbridgeable chasm that sin created between humanity and a perfectly holy God, foreshadowing the necessity of a divine intervention to bridge this divide.
Key Themes
Exodus 26:33 is central to several overarching themes woven throughout the Tabernacle narrative and the broader book of Exodus. Primarily, it underscores the Holiness of God, emphasizing His absolute purity and transcendence, which necessitates a strict separation from human sinfulness. This leads directly to the theme of Divine Separation and Limited Access, where the veil physically embodies the spiritual barrier between God and humanity, restricting entry to His immediate presence to a single individual (the High Priest) under highly specific conditions. The verse also contributes to the theme of Covenant Presence, as the veil encloses the Ark of the Testimony, the focal point of God's covenant relationship with Israel, signifying that while God dwells among His people, His presence is to be approached with profound reverence and awe. Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of Atonement and Mediation, as the barrier implies the need for a divinely appointed means—sacrifices and priestly mediation—to bridge the chasm of sin and allow for reconciliation, a concept further developed in Leviticus 16.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term (H6532) refers to "a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen; vail." It specifically denotes the thick, ornate curtain that served as the primary divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle. Its unique construction and placement distinguished it from other coverings, signifying its profound function as a barrier to God's immediate presence and emphasizing the sacredness of the inner sanctuary.
This word (H727) means "a box; ark, chest, coffin." In this context, it refers to the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred object in the Tabernacle. Its primary contents were the tablets of the Ten Commandments, known as the "testimony" (H5715, ʻêdûwth), which represented God's covenant law and His divine witness to Israel. The Ark symbolized God's throne and His active presence among His people, making its enclosure behind the veil paramount to maintaining its sanctity.
This term (H6944) signifies "a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary." When used in the superlative "Most Holy" (literally "Holy of Holies"), it designates the innermost, most sacred chamber of the Tabernacle. This superlative emphasizes the unparalleled sanctity of the space where God's manifest presence (the Shekinah glory) resided, accessible only under the strictest divine regulations.
Verse Breakdown
"And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches"
This clause provides a precise architectural directive for the installation of the veil. "Taches" (H7165, qereç') refers to the clasps or hooks designed to connect the various curtains that formed the Tabernacle's roof and inner divisions. This detail ensures the veil is securely and correctly positioned, creating a complete and impenetrable barrier that is integral to the structural and theological integrity of the sanctuary.
"that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony"
This specifies the fundamental purpose behind the veil's placement: to enclose and consecrate the Ark of the Testimony. The verb "bring in" (H935, bôwʼ') highlights the deliberate act of placing the Ark in its designated, most sacred location. The Ark, representing God's very presence and covenant relationship, required the highest degree of protection and separation from common access, underscoring its unparalleled sanctity and the profound reverence due to God.
"and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy [place] and the most holy"
This final clause explicitly states the veil's ultimate function: to establish a clear, physical, and symbolic division. The "holy place" (the outer chamber where priests performed daily service) was distinct from the "most holy" (the inner sanctum, literally "Holy of Holies"). This division graphically illustrated the chasm between a perfectly holy God and sinful humanity, and the limited, highly regulated access to His immediate presence under the Old Covenant, emphasizing the need for mediation.
Literary Devices
Exodus 26:33 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound theological message. Symbolism is paramount, with the veil itself serving as a powerful symbol of divine separation, God's absolute holiness, and the barrier that human sin erects between humanity and God. The "Ark of the Testimony" likewise functions as a central symbol of God's covenant presence, His divine law, and His sovereign throne. The verse also utilizes Antithesis or Contrast by explicitly distinguishing between the "holy place" and the "most holy," highlighting the graduated levels of sanctity within the Tabernacle and the strict hierarchy of access to God's presence. The imperative language ("thou shalt hang," "thou mayest bring") prevalent throughout the Tabernacle instructions, including this verse, exemplifies Divine Prescription, underscoring God's meticulous design and absolute authority in establishing the precise means by which humanity could approach Him. Finally, the verse employs a form of Metonymy, where the "ark of the testimony" stands in for God's very presence and His covenant relationship with Israel, allowing a tangible object to represent an intangible divine reality.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Exodus 26:33 profoundly establishes the theme of divine separation and the unapproachable holiness of God. The veil, a physical barrier, served as a tangible representation of the spiritual chasm between a perfectly holy God and sinful humanity. It underscored that direct, unmediated access to God's immediate presence was impossible under the Old Covenant, except for the High Priest, and then only under specific, highly regulated conditions once a year. This separation was not arbitrary but a necessary consequence of God's purity in the face of human sin, teaching Israel the gravity of sin and the immense cost of atonement. The Tabernacle, with its veil, therefore, was a constant visual sermon on God's transcendence and the need for a divinely provided solution to the problem of sin and separation.
Reflection and Application
The detailed instructions for the veil in Exodus 26:33, while seemingly ancient architectural specifics, carry profound implications for believers today. What was once a thick, impenetrable barrier, limiting access to God's immediate presence to only one man, once a year, has been miraculously removed through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This verse reminds us of the immense privilege we now possess: direct, bold, and unhindered access to the very throne of God. We no longer need an earthly priest or a physical structure to mediate our relationship with the Father, for Christ Himself is our High Priest and the "new and living way" into the true Holy of Holies. This truth should inspire profound gratitude, confidence, and a deeper sense of intimacy in our prayer lives and worship. It calls us to live lives worthy of such a great privilege, recognizing that while the barrier of sin has been removed, the holiness of God remains, inviting us to approach Him with reverence and awe, yet also with the joyful assurance of His welcoming embrace and transforming power.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the "vail" made of?
The "vail" (or curtain) was made of fine twined linen, and embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet material. It was skillfully woven with cherubim, indicating its divine significance and sacred purpose. This detailed description is found in Exodus 26:31.
Who was allowed to go behind the veil?
Only the High Priest was permitted to enter behind the veil into the Most Holy Place, and then only once a year, on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). He would enter with the blood of sacrifices to make atonement for his own sins and the sins of the people. This strict regulation is detailed in Leviticus 16:2 and the surrounding verses of Leviticus 16.
What was the "ark of the testimony" that was placed behind the veil?
The "ark of the testimony" is another name for the Ark of the Covenant. It was a sacred, gold-covered wooden chest that contained the two tablets of stone inscribed with the Ten Commandments (the "testimony"), a pot of manna, and Aaron's rod that budded. It served as the most sacred object in the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's covenant presence, His law, and His throne among His people. Instructions for its construction are found in Exodus 25:10-22.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Exodus 26:33, with its description of the veil dividing the sacred spaces, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The physical barrier of the veil, symbolizing the separation between a holy God and sinful humanity, was dramatically and supernaturally torn in two from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death on the cross (as recorded in Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45). This miraculous event signified that the way into God's presence, once restricted, was now opened for all who believe. The book of Hebrews powerfully expounds on this fulfillment, explaining that Christ, through His own blood, entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not a man-made one, as our great High Priest (see Hebrews 9:11-12 and Hebrews 9:24). His body is metaphorically likened to the veil, through which believers now have "boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh" (Hebrews 10:19-20). Thus, the ancient veil points forward to Christ, who, by His perfect sacrifice, removed the barrier of sin and opened direct, intimate communion with God, inviting us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16).