Mentioned chiefly in relation to the construction of the tabernacle. The curtain which separated off the Most Holy Place symbolised the separation between God and humanity. The tearing of the curtain when Jesus Christ was crucified symbolised the end of this separation and gave access into God's presence for believers.
Curtains for the construction of the tabernacle
Exodus 26:1–6 See also Exodus 36:8–13Exodus 26:7–13 See also Exodus 36:14–18Exodus 26:36–37 See also Exodus 36:37–38Exodus 27:9–18 See also Exodus 38:9–19, Exodus 35:10–17 parallel Exodus 39:33–40; Numbers 3:25–26
“You are to construct the tabernacle itself with ten curtains of finely spun linen, each with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and cherubim skillfully worked into them. Each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits long and four cubits wide — all curtains the same size. Five of the curtains are to be joined together, and the other five joined as well. Make loops of blue material on the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and do the same for the end curtain in the second set. Make fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the second set, so that the loops line up opposite one another. Make fifty gold clasps as well, and join the curtains together with the clasps, so that the tabernacle will be a unit.
You are to make curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle — eleven curtains in all. Each of the eleven curtains is to be the same size — thirty cubits long and four cubits wide. Join five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another. Then fold the sixth curtain over double at the front of the tent. Make fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in the first set, and fifty loops along the edge of the corresponding curtain in the second set. Make fifty bronze clasps and put them through the loops to join the tent together as a unit. As for the overlap that remains of the tent curtains, the half curtain that is left over shall hang down over the back of the tabernacle. And the tent curtains will be a cubit longer on either side, and the excess will hang over the sides of the tabernacle to cover it.
For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. Make five posts of acacia wood for the curtain, overlay them with gold, use hooks of gold, and cast five bronze bases for them.[’’]
The curtain in the Most Holy Place
The Most Holy Place shielded with a curtain
Hebrews 9:2–4 See also Exodus 26:31–33, Exodus 40:2–3, Exodus 40:21; Numbers 4:5; 2 Chronicles 3:14 As in the tabernacle, the Most Holy Place in Solomon's temple was shut off with a curtain.
A tabernacle was prepared. In its first room were the lampstand, the table, and the consecrated bread. This was called the Holy Place. Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.
The curtain symbolises separation from God
Leviticus 16:2 See also Numbers 18:7; Hebrews 9:6–9
And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
The curtain indicates the hiddenness of God
Psalm 18:11 parallel 2 Samuel 22:12 See also Exodus 20:21; Deuteronomy 4:11; Job 22:14; Psalm 97:2; 1 Timothy 6:16
He made darkness His hiding place, and storm clouds a canopy around Him.
The torn curtain symbolises access to God
Matthew 27:51 parallels Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45Hebrews 10:19–20 See also Hebrews 6:19–20
At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split.
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,
Other examples of tent curtains
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.