Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "screen" as understood in modern terms did not exist. However, the idea of a barrier or covering that serves to separate or protect is present in various forms throughout Scripture. The term "screen" can be related to several biblical elements, particularly in the context of the Tabernacle and the Temple, where curtains and veils served as physical and symbolic screens.
Tabernacle and Temple ScreensThe most direct biblical reference to a screen is found in the construction of the Tabernacle, where curtains and veils served as screens to separate different areas. In
Exodus 26:36-37, God instructs Moses: "You are to make a curtain for the entrance to the tent, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with embroidered work. Make five posts of acacia wood for the curtain, overlay them with gold hooks, and cast five bronze bases for them." This curtain acted as a screen for the entrance to the Tabernacle, providing a barrier between the holy space and the outside world.
Similarly, the veil inside the Tabernacle served as a screen separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (
Exodus 26:33). This veil was a critical element in the worship practices of Israel, symbolizing the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Only the high priest could pass beyond this screen once a year on the Day of Atonement (
Leviticus 16:2).
In Solomon's Temple, similar screens were used.
2 Chronicles 3:14 describes the veil of the Temple: "He made the veil of blue, purple, and crimson yarn and fine linen, with cherubim worked into it." This veil continued the tradition of the Tabernacle, serving as a screen that maintained the sanctity of the Most Holy Place.
Symbolic SignificanceThe screens in the Tabernacle and Temple were not merely physical barriers but carried deep symbolic meaning. They represented the holiness of God and the separation caused by sin. The tearing of the Temple veil at the moment of Christ's death (
Matthew 27:51) is a significant event, symbolizing the removal of the barrier between God and humanity through the atoning work of Jesus Christ. This act signified that believers now have direct access to God, as stated in
Hebrews 10:19-20: "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."
Metaphorical UsesWhile the physical screens of the Tabernacle and Temple are the most direct biblical references, the concept of a screen can also be understood metaphorically in Scripture. For instance, the protection and covering provided by God can be seen as a screen.
Psalm 91:4 states, "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." Here, God's protection acts as a screen, shielding believers from harm.
Additionally, the idea of spiritual discernment can be likened to a screen, filtering out false teachings and influences. In 1
John 4:1, believers are instructed to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God," which involves using discernment as a screen to separate truth from falsehood.
ConclusionIn summary, while the term "screen" is not explicitly used in the Bible, the concept is present in the form of curtains and veils in the Tabernacle and Temple, as well as in metaphorical applications. These screens serve as important symbols of separation, protection, and access to God, reflecting key theological themes in Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Anything that separates or cuts off inconvenience, injury, or danger; that which shelters or conceals from view; a shield or protection; as, a fire screen.
2. (n.) A dwarf wall or partition carried up to a certain height for separation and protection, as in a church, to separate the aisle from the choir, or the like.
3. (n.) A surface, as that afforded by a curtain, sheet, wall, etc., upon which an image, as a picture, is thrown by a magic lantern, solar microscope, etc.
4. (n.) A long, coarse riddle or sieve, sometimes a revolving perforated cylinder, used to separate the coarser from the finer parts, as of coal, sand, gravel, and the like.
5. (v. t.) To provide with a shelter or means of concealment; to separate or cut off from inconvenience, injury, or danger; to shelter; to protect; to protect by hiding; to conceal; as, fruits screened from cold winds by a forest or hill.
6. (v. t.) To pass, as coal, gravel, ashes, etc., through a screen in order to separate the coarse from the fine, or the worthless from the valuable; to sift.
Greek
2665. katapetasma -- a curtain (the inner veil of the temple)... From a compound of kata and a congener of petomai; something spread thoroughly,
ie (specially) the door
screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple
...Strong's Hebrew
4539. masak -- a covering,screen... 4538, 4539. masak. 4540 . a covering,
screen. Transliteration: masak Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-sawk') Short Definition:
screen. Word
...5526a. sakak -- to overshadow,screen, cover
... 5526, 5526a. sakak or sakak. 5526b . to overshadow,screen, cover. Transliteration:
sakak or sakak Short Definition: covered. Word Origin a prim....
5526. cakak -- to overshadow,screen, cover
... 5525, 5526. cakak. 5526a . to overshadow,screen, cover. Transliteration:
cakak Phonetic Spelling: (saw-kak') Short Definition: cover....
6532. paroketh -- a curtain
... vail. Feminine active participle of the same as perek; a separatrix, ie (the sacred)
screen -- vail. see HEBREW perek. 6531, 6532. paroketh. 6533 ....
7050. qela' -- a sling
... hanging, leaf, sling From qala'; a sling; also a (door)screen (as if slung across),
or the valve (of the door) itself -- hanging, leaf, sling....
Library
'Never in Bondage'
... there was a great deal of human nature in these men, who thus put up ascreen between
them and the penetrating words of our Lord.... And it is not only ascreen....
Symbolism of the Church Building
... The lattice was part of thescreen {26} (sometimes called the "rood-screen," from
the rood or crucifix upon it) which in some churches stood in the arch and...
The Annunciation
... The wall of the room facing the door was rounded, and in this rounded part (which
was shut off by a high wickerscreen) was the Blessed Virgin's bed, rolled up...
Hymns of the Holy Eastern Church
... The Iconostasis is thescreen which separates the sanctuary from the choir, and
is so called for the reason that certain icons or pictures are depicted on it....
Psalm 50:6. To the Old Proper Tune. The Last Judgment.
... "Are my eyes charm'd thy vestments to behold, "Glaring in gems, and gay in woven
gold?" God is the judge of hearts; no fair disguises Canscreen the guilty...
Psalm 50 the Last Judgment.
... God is the Judge of hearts, no fair disguises. Canscreen the guilty when his
vengeance rises.... Canscreen the guilty when his vengeance rises....
Rom. Ii. 17, 18
... now he shows further still, that not only the hearing, but, what is more than the
hearing, the teaching of the Law itself will not be able toscreen the teacher...
Life on the Top Floor
... Put it in this way. An image is thrown upon thescreen of your mind and you
look at it. How can you dismiss it? You can only dismiss...
An Address to the Man who is Down
... When the image is thrown upon thescreen and you are delighting in it and it
is just beginning to enthrall you, you can still do one thing....
A Seraph's Wings
... There is no need for us to draw anyscreen between our happy eyes and the Face in
which we 'behold the glory as of the only Begotten of the Father.' All the...
Thesaurus
Screen (26 Occurrences)... n.) Anything that separates or cuts off inconvenience, injury, or danger; that which
shelters or conceals from view; a shield or protection; as, a fire
screen.
...Courtyard (59 Occurrences)
... Exodus 27:16 And for the gate of the court shall be ascreen of twenty cubits, of
blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the weaver...
Hangings (23 Occurrences)
... (2) In the King James Version another word, macakh (the Revised Version (British
and American) uniformly "screen"), is distinguished from the preceding only by...
Yarn (37 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 26:36 "You shall make ascreen for the door of the Tent, of blue,
and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer....
Finely (27 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make ascreen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and
purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the weaver in colours....
Embroiderer (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:36 "You shall make ascreen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple,
and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer....
Colours (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make ascreen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and
purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer....
Posts (68 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:37 You shall make for thescreen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them
with gold: their hooks shall be of gold: and you shall cast five sockets of...
Twisted (79 Occurrences)
... Exodus 26:36 And thou shalt make ascreen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and
purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the weaver in colours....
Material (61 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Exodus 26:36 "You shall make ascreen for the door of the Tent, of blue,
and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer....
Resources
How should Christians view Disney? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is simulation theory? Is all of reality actually a simulation? | GotQuestions.orgScreen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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