'Long' in the Bible

After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets,

But exhort one another each day, as long as it is called "Today," that none of you may become hardened by sin's deception.

So God again ordains a certain day, "Today," speaking through David after so long a time, as in the words quoted before, "O, that today you would listen as he speaks! Do not harden your hearts."

The Holy Spirit is making clear that the way into the holy place had not yet appeared as long as the old tabernacle was standing.