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.

And thou shalt hang up {H5414} the vail {H6532} under the taches {H7165}, that thou mayest bring {H935} in thither within {H1004} the vail {H6532} the ark {H727} of the testimony {H5715}: and the vail {H6532} shall divide {H914} unto you between the holy {H6944} place and the most {H6944} holy {H6944}.

Hang the curtain below the fasteners. Then bring the ark for the testimony inside the curtain; the curtain will be the divider for you between the Holy Place and the Especially Holy Place.

And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

And thou shalt hang up the veil under the clasps, and shalt bring in thither within the veil the ark of the testimony: and the veil shall separate unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

Commentary

Exodus 26:33 KJV: Commentary on the Tabernacle's Veil

Exodus 26:33 details a crucial instruction for the construction of the Tabernacle, Israel's portable sanctuary in the wilderness. It describes the placement of the "vail" (curtain) that would create a sacred division within the holy structure, separating the common priestly area from the most sacred space where God's presence dwelled.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of God's meticulous instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle, as recorded from Exodus 25 through 31. The Tabernacle was designed to be God's dwelling place among His people, providing a structured system for worship, atonement, and communion with a holy God. Every detail, from the materials to the arrangement, carried profound symbolic meaning. The "vail" was not merely a decorative curtain but a substantial, thick barrier, woven with cherubim, indicating its divine significance and the sanctity of the area it guarded.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Separation: The primary function of the veil was to divide the Tabernacle into two distinct compartments: the "Holy Place" and the "Most Holy Place" (also known as the Holy of Holies). This physical barrier powerfully symbolized the spiritual separation between a holy God and sinful humanity.
  • God's Holiness: The veil underscored God's absolute purity and transcendent holiness, which could not be approached casually. Only the High Priest, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement, could pass beyond the veil into the Most Holy Place to make atonement for the sins of the people.
  • Limited Access: The veil represented the limited access to God's immediate presence under the Old Covenant. It served as a constant reminder that humanity's sin created a barrier, and direct fellowship with God was not yet fully open.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "vail" is parokhet (פָּרֹכֶת), referring specifically to this thick, ornate curtain. It was distinct from other curtains or hangings in the Tabernacle. The "Holy Place" is ha-qodesh, and the "Most Holy Place" is qodesh haqqodashim, emphasizing the superlative holiness of the inner sanctuary. Within the Most Holy Place, behind the veil, was the Ark of the Testimony, which contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments and symbolized God's covenant presence.

Related Scriptures

Exodus 26:33 establishes a physical barrier that held profound prophetic significance. This division between God and man, symbolized by the veil, was dramatically removed at the death of Jesus Christ. The New Testament recounts that when Jesus died on the cross, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45). This miraculous event signified that Christ's sacrifice had atoned for sin, opening a new and living way into God's presence. As explained in the book of Hebrews, Christ's body is likened to this veil, through which believers now have bold access to the Father (Hebrews 10:19-20). The tearing of the veil meant that the way into the true Holy of Holies, heaven itself, was now open to all who come through faith in Him.

Practical Application

For believers today, Exodus 26:33 reminds us of the immense privilege we have in Christ. What was once separated and inaccessible to all but the High Priest is now open to every believer. We no longer need a physical veil or an earthly priest to mediate our access to God. Through Jesus' perfect sacrifice, we can draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, finding grace and mercy in our time of need. This verse, therefore, is not just an ancient architectural detail but a powerful foreshadowing of the profound intimacy and direct communion we can now enjoy with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 9:2 (4 votes)

    For there was a tabernacle made; the first, wherein [was] the candlestick, and the table, and the shewbread; which is called the sanctuary.

  • Hebrews 9:3 (4 votes)

    And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

  • Leviticus 16:2 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 40:21 (4 votes)

    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.

  • Exodus 25:16 (3 votes)

    And thou shalt put into the ark the testimony which I shall give thee.

  • 2 Chronicles 5:7 (2 votes)

    And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy [place, even] under the wings of the cherubims:

  • 2 Chronicles 5:10 (2 votes)

    [There was] nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put [therein] at Horeb, when the LORD made [a covenant] with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.