The other day, I had someone ask me if I think wedding veils have religious significance. The person knew I was a Christian and that I put my faith in Jesus. Because of this, they were curious if I thought veils had meaning throughout the Bible. My answer was most definitely "YES"!
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Okay, you ready to go deep with me here?⠀
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I thing veils do have significance in the Bible. Here are a few key instances where veils are mentioned and their symbolic meanings.
1. The Veil in the Temple
In the Old Testament, the veil played an important role in the Jewish tabernacle and later in the temple. It separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, also known as the Holy of Holies, where the presence of God dwelt. The veil symbolized the separation between God and humanity due to sin. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and even then, he could only do so once a year on the Day of Atonement.
However, when Jesus died on the cross, the Gospel of Matthew (27:51) records that the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom, signifying the removal of the barrier between God and humanity.
This event symbolized that through Jesus' sacrifice, we now have direct access to God.
In the same way, a bride and groom have direct access and an intimate and special relationship after getting married. The removal of the veil during the wedding signifies that the bride and groom now have direct access to one another and are united in a unique bond of love, trust, and commitment. It symbolizes the beginning of a shared journey in which they will intimately know and be known by each other.
2. The Veil and the Bride of Christ
The New Testament often uses the analogy of marriage to describe the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church. In this context, the veil holds symbolic significance during wedding ceremonies. The removal of the veil from the bride's face symbolizes the unity and intimacy between the bride and groom. It signifies the unveiling of the bride, representing the open and transparent relationship between the church (the bride) and Jesus (the bridegroom). This imagery emphasizes the spiritual union, love, and intimacy between Christ and His followers.
These biblical references highlight the veil as a symbol of access, unity, and intimacy with God. The tearing of the veil in the temple and the removal of the bride's veil both serve as powerful representations of the relationship between God and humanity through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
There are other meanings to the wedding veil too. If you would like to learn some of the ancient meanings of the veil, then please read The Shocking Secret Reason that Brides Wear Veils