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καταπέτασμα

katapétasma

G2665 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A curtain or veil, particularly one that separates or conceals; specifically, the heavy woven curtain that divided the innermost (Most Holy) part of the Temple from the Holy Place. Contextually can refer either to the inner sanctuary divider or, more generally, to any fabric used as a partition or covering.

Semantic Range

curtain, veil, partition in a holy place, drapery, separator between sacred spaces, specifically the Temple's inner curtain

Root / Etymology

From κατά ('down, according to, thoroughly') + πέτασμα ('covering, curtain,' from πετάννυμι 'to spread out'). The word thus denotes an item that is thoroughly spread out or extended, especially as a divider.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Septuagint (LXX), καταπέτασμα is consistently used to render the Hebrew פָּרֹכֶת (parokhet), referring to the veil or curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle or Temple (e.g., Exod 26:31–35; Lev 16:2, 12, 15). In the New Testament (notably in Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45, Hebrews 6:19, 9:3, 10:20), καταπέτασμα specifically denotes the Temple's innermost veil, symbolically representing the barrier between the divine presence and worshippers. Classical Greek usage of καταπέτασμα is rare, but the related πέτασμα refers broadly to any sort of curtain, tapestry, or cloth spread out as a divider. The English term 'veil' may not fully capture the architectural and ritual specificity of the term in Second Temple and New Testament contexts, since 'veil' can imply a lightweight or face-covering cloth, whereas καταπέτασμα refers to a substantial and ritually charged barrier.

Translation Consistency

primary "veil" 4 occurrences

Katapétasma most often denotes the temple’s inner separating fabric; 'veil' is the natural, sacred-language English noun conveying both a curtain and a concealing/partitioning function. It fits typical theological usage (the temple veil) and sounds more appropriate and idiomatic than the more domestic 'curtain'.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"partitioning curtain" (2x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a compound of κατά and a congener of πέτομαι; something spread thoroughly, i.e. (specially) the door screen (to the Most Holy Place) in the Jewish Temple:--vail.

Root Family

καταπέτασμα (katapétasma) — to spread out, to cover, to partition

Root καταπετασμ- to spread out, to cover, to partition

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G2665-01 καταπέτασμα katapetasma N NOM N SG veil spread-out curtain spread-out veil 4
G2665-02 καταπετάσματος katapetasmatos N GEN N SG veil of the partitioning curtain partitioning curtain 2

Occurrences in Scripture

6 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G2665-01 Matthew 27:51 καταπέτασμα katapetasma N NOM N SG veil spread-out curtain spread-out veil
G2665-01 Mark 15:38 καταπέτασμα katapetasma N NOM N SG veil spread-out curtain spread-out veil
G2665-01 Luke 23:45 καταπέτασμα katapetasma N NOM N SG veil spread-out curtain spread-out veil
G2665-02 Hebrews 6:19 καταπετάσματος katapetasmatos N GEN N SG veil of the partitioning curtain partitioning curtain
G2665-01 Hebrews 9:3 καταπέτασμα katapetasma N ACC N SG veil spread-out curtain spread-out veil
G2665-02 Hebrews 10:20 καταπετάσματος katapetasmatos N GEN N SG veil of the partitioning curtain partitioning curtain
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