Hebrews 9:3

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} after {G3326} the second {G1208} veil {G2665}, the tabernacle {G4633} which {G3588} is called {G3004} the Holiest of all {G39}{G39};

Complete Jewish Bible

Behind the second parokhet was a tent called the Holiest Place,

Berean Standard Bible

Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place,

American Standard Version

And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holy of holies;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 9:3 continues the author's meticulous description of the Old Covenant Tabernacle, specifically detailing the innermost sanctuary, known as the Most Holy Place or "Holiest of all." This verse highlights the architectural and symbolic barrier of the "second veil," emphasizing the restricted access to God's immediate presence under the Levitical system and setting the stage for the profound theological contrast with the new and living way opened through Jesus Christ.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of a larger exposition in [Hebrews 9](/hebrews/9 "Hebrews 9 - The Earthly Sanctuary and the Heavenly Sacrifice") where the author meticulously describes the earthly tabernacle and its furnishings (vv. 1-5). Having introduced the "first tabernacle" (the Holy Place) and its contents in [Hebrews 9:2](/hebrews/9-2 "Hebrews 9:2 - The Holy Place"), [Hebrews 9:3](/hebrews/9-3 "Hebrews 9:3 - The Most Holy Place") transitions to the "second veil" and the subsequent "Holiest of all." This detailed description serves as the foundation for the author's argument in the latter half of the chapter, where he contrasts the limitations of the Old Covenant system with the superior, once-for-all sacrifice and ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary, providing a new and direct access to God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle, and later the Temple, served as the central place of worship for ancient Israel, symbolizing God's dwelling among His people. Its design, including the two main compartments (the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place) separated by a thick veil, was divinely ordained (cf. [Exodus 25-27](/exodus/25-27 "Exodus 25-27 - Instructions for the Tabernacle")). The "second veil" (or inner curtain) was a physical and symbolic barrier, signifying humanity's separation from God's immediate presence due to sin. Only the High Priest was permitted to enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year on the [Day of Atonement](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"), to offer blood for the sins of the people and himself (as detailed in [Leviticus 16](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement")). This strict, ritualistic access underscored the holiness of God and the profound chasm between a sinful humanity and a righteous Creator.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Hebrews. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Separation and Restricted Access**, emphasizing that under the Old Covenant, direct access to God's immediate presence was severely limited, underscoring humanity's inability to approach a holy God due to sin. Secondly, it underscores the **Holiness and Transcendence of God**, as the "Holiest of all" was the most sacred space, housing the Ark of the Covenant, which represented God's throne and presence (see [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Presence Above the Mercy Seat")). Finally, it sets the stage for the crucial theme of **Anticipation of Christ's Superior Ministry**. The provisional nature of the veil and the limited access foreshadowed a time when direct access to God would be granted, a reality fully realized through Christ's perfect sacrifice and His role as our great High Priest, who has opened a new and living way into the heavenly sanctuary (as elaborated in [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Our New Access to God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **veil (Greek, _katapétasma'_):** From a compound word meaning "something spread thoroughly," specifically referring to the door screen or curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Jewish Temple. This term emphasizes the physical barrier that restricted access to God's immediate presence, a barrier that held profound symbolic meaning regarding humanity's separation from God due to sin.
* **second (Greek, _deúteros'_):** As the ordinal form of "two," this word precisely identifies which veil is being referenced. It distinguishes the inner curtain, which separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, from the "first veil" (not explicitly named in Hebrews but implied as the entrance to the Holy Place) that marked the outer entrance of the Tabernacle itself (cf. [Exodus 26:36-37](/exodus/26-36-37 "Exodus 26:36-37 - The Screen for the Entrance")). Its specificity is crucial for understanding the layout and the theological implications of access.
* **Holiest of all (Greek, _hágion'_):** This word, appearing twice in the Greek (hágion hágion), forms a superlative construction, literally "holy of holies" or "most holy place." It signifies the supreme sacredness and exclusive nature of this innermost sanctuary. It was the space where God's manifest presence was uniquely understood to dwell, making it the most revered and inaccessible part of the earthly sanctuary.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And after the second veil,"**: This clause specifies the location of the next compartment within the Tabernacle, immediately following the "second veil." This veil was the thick, ornate curtain that divided the Holy Place (the first compartment) from the Most Holy Place (the innermost sanctuary). The use of "second" is key, distinguishing it from the outer curtain at the entrance of the Holy Place. Its presence signified a profound separation and restricted access.
* **"the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;"**: This part identifies the specific area beyond the second veil. This was the innermost and most sacred chamber of the Tabernacle, known as the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place. It was here that the Ark of the Covenant resided, symbolizing the very presence of God among His people. The designation "Holiest of all" underscores its unparalleled sanctity and the extreme reverence required, highlighting the limited and ritualized access under the Old Covenant.

#### Literary Devices
The author of Hebrews masterfully employs **Typology** and **Symbolism** in this verse. The **Tabernacle** itself is a type, a divinely ordained pattern or shadow, pointing forward to a greater reality in Christ. The "second veil" is a powerful **symbol** of the barrier between a sinful humanity and a holy God. Its existence visually and experientially communicated the inaccessibility of God's immediate presence under the Old Covenant. The "Holiest of all" is also deeply **symbolic**, representing the very dwelling place of God, the ultimate sacred space. By meticulously describing these elements, the author establishes the earthly, temporary, and limited nature of the Old Covenant system, preparing the reader to understand how Christ's ministry transcends and fulfills these types and symbols, providing a new and direct access to God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 9:3 is foundational to the author's overarching argument regarding the superiority of Christ's priesthood and sacrifice. The "second veil" and the "Holiest of all" serve as powerful theological markers, illustrating the profound separation between God and humanity necessitated by sin under the Old Covenant. This physical barrier underscored the spiritual reality that sinful people could not directly approach a holy God. The limited access, reserved only for the High Priest once a year, emphasized the provisional and incomplete nature of the Levitical system. Theologically, this verse sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment in Christ, who, through His perfect sacrifice, tore down this spiritual barrier, opening a new and living way into God's presence.

* [Exodus 26:33](/exodus/26-33 "Exodus 26:33 - The Veil Dividing the Holy and Most Holy Place")
* [Leviticus 16:2](/leviticus/16-2 "Leviticus 16:2 - Restrictions on Entering the Most Holy Place")
* [Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Boldness to Enter the Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 9:3, with its depiction of the "second veil" guarding the "Holiest of all," serves as a stark reminder of the immense privilege we now possess in Christ. For centuries, this physical barrier symbolized humanity's profound separation from God due to sin, a chasm that only the High Priest could briefly and ritually bridge, and then only once a year. Yet, the New Testament reveals that this impenetrable veil was dramatically torn from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' death (as recorded in [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil")). This cataclysmic event was not merely a physical occurrence but a profound spiritual declaration: the way to God's presence is now fully and permanently open to all who believe. We no longer need an earthly high priest or a physical sanctuary to mediate our access to God. Instead, we are invited to "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith" (as encouraged in [Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Drawing Near with Assurance")), directly into the heavenly sanctuary through our great High Priest, Jesus Christ. This truth should fill us with awe, gratitude, and confidence, empowering us to live lives of bold and intimate fellowship with our Creator.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the imagery of the "second veil" deepen your appreciation for the access to God you now have through Christ?**
* **What does it mean to you personally that the way into the "Holiest of all" is now open, and how should this affect your daily walk with God?**
* **In what ways might we still inadvertently create "veils" or barriers in our lives that hinder our full and confident approach to God?**

### FAQ

**What was the purpose of the "second veil" in the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The "second veil" (also known as the inner curtain or the veil of the sanctuary) served as a physical and symbolic barrier, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (the "Holiest of all"). Its primary purpose was to restrict access to God's immediate presence, underscoring His absolute holiness and humanity's sinfulness. Only the High Priest was permitted to pass through this veil, and only once a year on the [Day of Atonement](/leviticus/16 "Leviticus 16 - The Day of Atonement"), to offer sacrifices for the sins of the people. This strict limitation highlighted the profound separation between a holy God and a sinful humanity under the Old Covenant.

**What was the "Holiest of all," and what was its significance?**

Answer: The "Holiest of all," also known as the Holy of Holies or the Most Holy Place, was the innermost and most sacred compartment of the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). It housed the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's throne and His manifest presence among His people (see [Exodus 25:22](/exodus/25-22 "Exodus 25:22 - God's Presence Above the Mercy Seat")). Its significance lay in its unparalleled sanctity as the earthly dwelling place of God, making it the focal point of Israelite worship and the ultimate representation of God's transcendence and purity. Access to it was extremely restricted, emphasizing the awe and reverence due to God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 9:3, in its description of the "second veil" and the "Holiest of all," powerfully foreshadows the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The restrictive nature of the Old Covenant sanctuary, with its limited access to God's presence, served as a tangible type of the spiritual barrier that sin erected between humanity and God. However, this provisional arrangement found its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The dramatic tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom at Jesus' crucifixion (as recorded in [Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Tearing of the Temple Veil")) was the divine declaration that the way into God's immediate presence was now open. Jesus, as our great High Priest, entered the true, heavenly sanctuary, not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood, securing an eternal redemption (as explained in [Hebrews 9:12](/hebrews/9-12 "Hebrews 9:12 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). Through His perfect sacrifice, Christ has inaugurated a "new and living way" (as stated in [Hebrews 10:20](/hebrews/10-20 "Hebrews 10:20 - The New and Living Way")) for all believers to boldly approach the throne of grace (as encouraged in [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace Boldly")), having direct and unhindered access to God Himself, fulfilling what the earthly "Holiest of all" could only symbolize.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 26:31

¶ And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:

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.

Matthew 27:51

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;

Exodus 40:3

And thou shalt put therein the ark of the testimony, and cover the ark with the vail.

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.

Hebrews 9:8

¶ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:

1 Kings 8:6

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