What Does the Bible Say About Why Was The Ten Commandment Slab Being Covered Up So They Could Not Be Seen Or Read By The Populace?
Scripture reveals that God's law was deliberately placed behind a curtain in the Most Holy Place, hidden from public view and accessible only through the high priest's mediation.
Scripture on Why Was The Ten Commandment Slab Being Covered Up So They Could Not Be Seen Or Read By The Populace
Exodus 25:16
Old Testament
"Put into the ark the tablets of the covenant law, which I will give you."
Exodus 26:33-34
Old Testament
"Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the covenant law behind the curtain. This curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law in the Most Holy Place."
Hebrews 9:3-5
New Testament
"Behind the second curtain was a room called the Most Holy Place, which had the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. This ark contained the gold jar of manna, Aaron's staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant. Above the ark were the cherubim of the Glory, overshadowing the atonement cover."
Leviticus 16:2
Old Testament
"The Lord said to Moses: 'Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.'"
Exodus 40:20-21
Old Testament
"He took the tablets of the covenant law and placed them in the ark, attached the poles to the ark and put the atonement cover over it. Then he brought the ark into the tabernacle and hung the curtain, and shielded the ark of the covenant law from view."
The Bottom Line
The hidden tablets taught Israel that access to God's presence required a mediator—a reality Jesus ended when He tore the temple curtain and became our direct access to the Father.
Try Today
Read Hebrews 10:19-22 today. Sit with what it means that Christ's sacrifice removed the barrier between you and God's presence. You no longer need a priest standing between you and the Father.
Prayer
Jesus invites us to 'come boldly to the throne of grace' in Hebrews 4:16—something the Old Testament believers could not do.
Father, I'm struck by how hidden and restricted Your law was in the tabernacle. Only the high priest could enter, only once a year. I confess that sometimes I still act like that barrier exists—holding back from You, thinking I need to be cleaner or better before I approach. Thank You that Jesus tore the curtain and made me a priest with direct access to You. Help me stop hiding from Your presence and come boldly, as You've invited me to do. In Jesus' name, Amen.
📚 Read Exodus 34-40 to see how the tabernacle was built and how God's law was placed inside it.
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