There is a strange discussion of the rich man Lazarus which seems to imply that instead of a 'chasm' (χάσμα) between (μεταξὺ) Jesus and Lazarus and the rich man there was a 'veil' (καταπέτασμα) like the one in the temple. The allegory developed in the poem depends on this being in the Lazarus narrative in order to develop the idea that Jesus came to abolish the curtain and render the house (temple) whole.others, cast away (As was th' iniquitous rich man, we read, by Lazarus ), are such as have remained exiled, persistent in their stubbornness. Now a veil, hanging in the midst, did both dissever, and had into portions twain divided the one shrine ... In some unknown part there exists a spot open, enjoying its own light; 'tis called "Abraham's bosom; "high above the glooms, and far removed from fire, yet 'neath the earth. The brazen altar this is called, whereon (We have recorded) was a dusky veil. This veil divides both parts, and leaves the one open, from the eternal one distinct in worship and time's usage.
abiectos alios (Lazaro ut dives iniquus), in sua duritie qui permansere repulsi. nam velum in medio pendens ceraebat utrosque inque duas partes aedem diviserat unam, interiora quidem sanctorum sancta vocata ... in parte ignota quidam locus exstat apertus, luce sua fretus; Abrahae sinus iste vocatur, altior a tenebris, longe semotus ab igne, sub terra tamen <est>: haec ara vocatur ahena. in quo velamen pullum memoravimus esse: dividit hoc partes ambas unamque recludit dissitam ab aeterna cultura et temporis usu.
Interestingly modern Greek descriptions of the tabernacle use the terminology 'great curtain' to describe the veil:καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν χάσμα μέγα ἐστήρικται ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται μηδὲ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν
And besides all these things, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us.'
καὶ ἐν πᾶσι τούτοις μεταξὺ ἡμῶν καὶ ὑμῶν καταπέτασμα μέγα ἐστήρικται ὅπως οἱ θέλοντες διαβῆναι ἔνθεν πρὸς ὑμᾶς μὴ δύνωνται μηδὲ ἐκεῖθεν πρὸς ἡμᾶς διαπερῶσιν
And besides all these things, a great curtain has been fixed between us and you, so that those desiring to pass from here to you are not able, nor can they pass from there to us.'
Περιεστοίχιζε δέ την σκηνήν άπασαν αυλή μεγάλη και ευρύχωρος, καταπέτασμα μέγα προ της εισόδου κρεμάμενον έχουσα.
Also 'great veil' or 'great curtain' is the most common way of describing what divided the inner sanctum of the temple.