Lexical Summary
paroketh: Veil, Curtain
Original Word:פֹרֶכֶת
Part of Speech:Noun Feminine
Transliteration:poreketh
Pronunciation:pah-ro'-keth
Phonetic Spelling:(po-reh'-keth)
KJV: vail
NASB:veil, curtain
Word Origin:[feminine active participle of the same asH6531 (פֶּרֶך - severity)]
1. a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
vail
Feminine active participle of the same asperek; a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen -- vail.
see HEBREWperek
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom an unused word
Definitiona curtain
NASB Translationcurtain (1), veil (24).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
25 , in tabernacle (P) (properly
that which habitually shuts off, i.e. *
parrâku (Lag
BN 88) Kö
ii. 1, 201); — absolute
Exodus 26:31 17t. P; construct
Exodus 35:12;
Exodus 39:34;
Exodus 40:21;
Numbers 4:5,
Leviticus 4:6,
Leviticus 24:3; in temple 2Chronicles 3:14.
Topical Lexicon
Material and Design SpecificationsThe veil was crafted from “blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it” (Exodus 26:31). Its rich colors reflected royalty and sacrificial blood, while the linen signified purity. The embroidered cherubim visually guarded the holiness beyond the curtain. Four acacia pillars overlaid with gold and set in silver bases supported the veil (Exodus 26:32). Gold hooks suspended it, testifying to the sanctity of everything associated with it.
Placement in the Tabernacle
The veil divided the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (Exodus 26:33). Outside the veil stood the lampstand, table of the bread of the Presence, and altar of incense (Exodus 26:35; 30:6). Behind the veil rested the ark, its mercy seat overshadowed by cherubim. Thus the veil marked the earthly boundary of divine presence: “the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place” (Exodus 26:33).
Liturgical Function
Daily ministry stopped at the veil. Aaron and his sons trimmed lamps, arranged bread, and offered incense “outside the veil of the testimony” (Exodus 27:21; 30:6–8;Leviticus 24:3). No priest might enter beyond it except the high priest, and then only under the strictest regulations, emphasizing God’s holiness and mankind’s limitations.
Day of Atonement Particulars
Leviticus 16 anchors the veil in atoning ritual. The high priest entered “behind the veil” (Leviticus 16:2) with incense so “the cloud of incense will cover the mercy seat” (Leviticus 16:13). He sprinkled the blood of the bull and goat “on the front of the mercy seat and before the mercy seat” (Leviticus 16:15). The veil thus became the threshold where substitutionary blood secured forgiveness, a vivid picture of propitiation.
Transportation and Custody
When the Tabernacle moved, Kohathites “spread over it a covering of porpoise skin, and shall put in its poles” (Numbers 4:5). Yet only Aaron and his sons could first lower the veil to conceal the ark before others approached.Numbers 18:7 reinforces this stewardship: “You and your sons are to carry out your priestly duties… the outsider who comes near must be put to death.”
Transition from Tabernacle to Temple
Solomon incorporated the veil into the Temple: “He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim embroidered on it” (2 Chronicles 3:14). Though the structure changed from movable tent to permanent house, the inner curtain retained its mediating role.
Theological Symbolism
1. Separation: The veil embodied the gulf between a holy God and sinful humanity.
2. Revelation and Concealment: God dwelt among His people yet remained hidden; mercy was available but not casually accessed.
3. Mediation: Only the ordained representative, armed with atoning blood, could cross the barrier, underscoring substitutionary principles that surface throughout Scripture.
Christological Fulfillment
At the crucifixion “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). Heaven—not human hands—opened the way. Hebrews reflects on this reality: “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the veil, that is, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20). The earthly veil pointed to Christ’s own body; His sacrifice removed the barrier, granting believers direct access.
Practical Implications for Worship
1. Assurance of Access: In Christ, worshippers now draw near with boldness, no longer halted by a physical veil.
2. Reverent Holiness: The Tabernacle veil reminds congregations that divine accessibility never diminishes divine holiness.
3. Ministry of Intercession: As ancient priests stood before the veil with incense, so believers now intercede, confident their prayers rise unhindered yet mindful of the cost that secured such privilege.
Forms and Transliterations
הַפָּרֹ֑כֶת הַפָּרֹ֔כֶת הַפָּרֹ֙כֶת֙ הַפָּרֹ֜כֶת הַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃ הַפָּרֹכֶת֮ הפרכת הפרכת׃ לְפָרֹ֨כֶת לַפָּרֹ֑כֶת לַפָּרֹ֔כֶת לַפָּרֹ֖כֶת לַפָּרֹ֜כֶת לַפָּרֹֽכֶת׃ לפרכת לפרכת׃ פָּרֹ֣כֶת פָּרֹ֥כֶת פָרֹ֗כֶת פרכת faRochet hap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ happaroChet happārōḵeṯ lap·pā·rō·ḵeṯ lappaRochet lappārōḵeṯ lə·p̄ā·rō·ḵeṯ lefaRochet ləp̄ārōḵeṯ pā·rō·ḵeṯ p̄ā·rō·ḵeṯ paRochet pārōḵeṯ p̄ārōḵeṯ
Links
Interlinear Greek •
Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
Parallel Texts
