Biblical references to 'veil'
The veil has been used for many different reasons over thousands of years.
Why is it used in a Christian wedding ceremony, and what does it mean?
History of the veil
In the Bible, we see many references to the veil.1 Ruth used hers as a shopping bag (see Ruth 3:15). Isaiah shows that the veil was considered a beautiful decorative addition to someone's wardrobe (Isaiah 3:23) and in Solomon 5:7 it was a protective item of clothing.
Genesis 24:65 shows it was used to hide somebody's modesty, in Exodus 34:33-35 the veil hid somebody's face because it shone and in II Corinthians 3:13-16 it obscured vision. In Genesis 38:14 it conceals identity, and in Isaiah 25:7 it is used to cover and hide people.
But most entries in the Bible show the veil being used as a symbolic curtain, protecting a holy place (see Exodus 26:31-35, 27:21, 30:6, 35:12, 36:35, 38:27, 39:34, 40:3,21,22,26, Leviticus 4:6,17, 16:2,12,15, 21:23, 24:3, Numbers 4:5, 18:7, II Chronicles 3:14, Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45, Hebrews 6:19, 9:3, 10:20.)
Of these entries, three are very significant. In Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38 and Luke 23:45, it describes how the veil in front of the temple violently ripped open when Jesus died on the cross. This signified that Christ, by his death, opened a way to God.
Later, in Hebrews 10:20, we read that the 'veil' which was the curtain or entrance to a holy place, was also Christ. Believers were then shown an open way to the presence of God. The way and means by which Christians enjoy such privileges, is by the sacrifice of Jesus. Christians believe that the way to heaven is by accepting Christ as Saviour.
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