King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And thou shalt make a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work: with cherubims shall it be made:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"You are to make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen. Make it with k'ruvim worked in, that have been crafted by a skilled artisan.
Berean Standard Bible:
Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
American Standard Version:
And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shall it be made:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And thou shalt make{H6213} a vail{H6532} of blue{H8504}, and purple{H713}, and scarlet{H8144}{H8438}, and fine twined{H7806} linen{H8336} of cunning{H2803} work{H4639}: with cherubims{H3742} shall it be made{H6213}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Matthew 27:51
- 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;
2 Chronicles 3:14
- And he made the vail [of] blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
Exodus 36:35
- ¶ And he made a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: [with] cherubims made he it of cunning work.
Exodus 26:1
- ¶ Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle [with] ten curtains [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: [with] cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
Exodus 36:8
- ¶ And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains [of] fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: [with] cherubims of cunning work made he them.
Leviticus 16:2
- And the LORD said unto Moses, Speak unto Aaron thy brother, that he come not at all times into the holy [place] within the vail before the mercy seat, which [is] upon the ark; that he die not: for I will appear in the cloud upon the mercy seat.
Exodus 35:35
- Them hath he filled with wisdom of heart, to work all manner of work, of the engraver, and of the cunning workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, and in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, [even] of them that do any work, and of those that devise cunning work.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 26:31
**Exodus 26:31 Summary:**
**Themes:**
1. **Holiness and Separation:** The verse describes the creation of a veil, or curtain, that serves as a barrier between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle, symbolizing the separation between the divine presence of God and humanity.
2. **Divine Instruction:** The detailed specifications for the veil's materials and design reflect the importance of adherence to God's instructions, emphasizing the necessity of precision and care in worship.
3. **Symbolism of Color:** The use of blue, purple, and scarlet threads represents royalty and divinity, while the fine twined linen signifies purity. These colors are recurrent in the Tabernacle's design, reinforcing its sacred nature.
4. **Skilled Craftsmanship:** The mention of "cunning work" indicates that the veil was to be made with the highest level of craftsmanship, highlighting the value of beauty and skill in the service of God.
5. **Cherubim Imagery:** Cherubim, a type of angelic being, were often associated with the presence of God. Their inclusion on the veil underscores the holiness of the space beyond it and the protective role of angelic beings in relation to God's dwelling place.
**Historical Context:**
During the time of Exodus, the Israelites were wandering in the wilderness after their escape from slavery in Egypt. God provided Moses with detailed instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where God's presence would dwell among His people. The Tabernacle was central to Israelite worship until the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon.
The veil described in Exodus 26:31 was a significant feature of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, as it marked the boundary of the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant resided. This inner sanctuary was entered only by the high priest, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
The thickness and size of the veil would have made it an imposing physical barrier, reinforcing the inaccessibility of God's immediate presence to the average person. In the New Testament, the tearing of the Temple veil at the moment of Jesus' death on the cross (Matthew 27:51) is seen as a profound symbol of the removal of the separation between God and humanity, signifying that through Christ, all people have direct access to God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H6532
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פֹּרֶכֶת
Transliteration: pôreketh
Pronunciation: po-reh'-keth
Description: feminine active participle of the same as פֶּרֶךְ; a separatrix, i.e. (the sacred) screen; vail. - Strong's Number: H8504
There are 49 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תְּכֵלֶת
Transliteration: tᵉkêleth
Pronunciation: tek-ay'-leth
Description: probably for שְׁחֶלֶת; the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith; blue. - Strong's Number: H713
There are 465 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְגָּמָן
Transliteration: ʼargâmân
Pronunciation: ar-gaw-mawn'
Description: of foreign origin; purple (the color or the dyed stuff); purple. - Strong's Number: H8144
There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁנִי
Transliteration: shânîy
Pronunciation: shaw-nee'
Description: of uncertain derivation; crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it; crimson, scarlet (thread). - Strong's Number: H8438
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תּוֹלָע
Transliteration: tôwlâʻ
Pronunciation: to-law'
Description: and (feminine) תּוֹלֵעָה; or תּוֹלַעַת; or תֹּלַעַת; from יָלַע; a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of שָׁנִי); the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the colorfrom it, and cloths dyed therewith; crimson, scarlet, worm. - Strong's Number: H7806
There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁזַר
Transliteration: shâzar
Pronunciation: shaw-zar'
Description: a primitive root; to twist (a thread of straw); twine. - Strong's Number: H8336
There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
Transliteration: shêsh
Pronunciation: shaysh
Description: or (for alliteration with מֶשִׁי) שְׁשִׁי; for שַׁיִשׁ; bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble; [idiom] blue, fine (twined) linen, marble, silk. - Strong's Number: H2803
There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָשַׁב
Transliteration: châshab
Pronunciation: khaw-shab'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute; (make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise, esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute, invent, be like, mean, purpose, reckon(-ing be made), regard, think. - Strong's Number: H4639
There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
Transliteration: maʻăseh
Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. - Strong's Number: H3742
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּרוּב
Transliteration: kᵉrûwb
Pronunciation: ker-oob'
Description: of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure; cherub, (plural) cherubims.