"a veil, curtain, Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45; Heb. 6:19; 9:3; 10:20*"
Definition and meaning
a veil, curtain, Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45; Heb. 6:19; 9:3; 10:20*
In the original Greek the word is written: καταπέτασμα
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of katapetasma (G2665) across the King James Bible.
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.
And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;
By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;
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Common questions
Strong's G2665 (katapetasma) is a Greek word that means: a veil, curtain, Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45; Heb. 6:19; 9:3; 10:20* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word katapetasma (G2665) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2665 is katapetasma, a Greek word defined as: a veil, curtain, Mt. 27:51; Mk. 15:38; Lk. 23:45; Heb. 6:19; 9:3; 10:20*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
katapetasma is a Greek word found in the New Testament.