Vail

Summary

Vail is an archaic spelling of 'veil,' used in the King James Version primarily for the curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle and Temple.

☩The Temple Vail

The vail of the Tabernacle and Temple separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), where God's presence dwelt above the ark of the covenant. Made by Bezaleel and Aholiab according to divine specification, it was of fine twined linen with cherubim worked into the fabric in blue, purple, and scarlet. Only the high priest could pass beyond this vail, and only once per year on the Day of Atonement. When Jesus died, this vail was torn from top to bottom, symbolizing that access to God was now open to all through Christ's sacrifice.