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Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 26:31–37.
Two veils are here ordered to be made, 1. One for a partition between the holy place and the most holy, which not only forbade any to enter, but forbade them so much as to look into the holiest of all, Exo 26:31, Exo 26:33. Under that dispensation, divine grace was veiled, but now we behold it with open face, Co2 3:18. The apostle tells us (Heb 9:8, Heb 9:9) what was the meaning of this veil; it intimated that the ceremonial law could not make the comers thereunto perfect, nor would the observance of it bring men to heaven; the way into the holiest of all was not made manifest while the first tabernacle was standing; life and immortality lay concealed till they were brought to light by the gospel, which was therefore signified by the rending of this veil at the death of Christ, Mat 27:51. We have not boldness to enter into the holiest, in all acts of devotion, by the blood of Jesus, yet such as obliges us to a holy reverence and a humble sense of our distance. 2. Another veil was for the outer door of the tabernacle, Exo 26:36, Exo 26:37. Through this first veil the priests went in every day to minister in the holy place, but not the people, Heb 9:6. This veil, which was all the defence the tabernacle had against thieves and robbers, might easily be broken through, for it could be neither locked nor barred, and the abundance of wealth in the tabernacle, one would think, might be a temptation; but by leaving it thus exposed, (1.) The priests and Levites would be so much the more obliged to keep a strict watch upon it, and, (2.) God would show his care of his church on earth, though it is weak and defenceless, and continually exposed. A curtain shall be (if God please to make it so) as strong a defence to his house as gates of brass and bars of iron.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
The temple was divided by a veil [hung across] the wall in the center [of the building], and the outer [section of this part of the] building was called the sanctuary; the inner [section], where the ark of the covenant was placed, was called the Holy of Holies. The church is in part on pilgrimage on earth, [away from] the Lord, and in part it reigns with the Lord in heaven. The wall [across the] center is understood [as indicating] heaven, and the ark of the covenant [as indicating] the Lord, who alone is conscious of the Father’s hidden mysteries and has passed into the inner reaches of heaven.
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Summary
Exodus 26:31 presents the divine specifications for the construction of the Tabernacle's most significant internal partition: the vail. This sacred curtain, meticulously crafted from blue, purple, and scarlet threads, interwoven with fine twined linen and adorned with cherubim through "cunning work," was designed to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Its purpose was to delineate the sacred space, emphasizing God's transcendent holiness and the restricted access to His immediate, glorious presence.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within a highly detailed block of divine instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai, spanning Exodus 25 through Exodus 31. These chapters provide the architectural blueprint for the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the priestly garments, all intended to facilitate God's dwelling among His people. Specifically, Exodus 26 focuses on the Tabernacle's structure, detailing its curtains, frames, and bars. Exodus 26:31-35 describes the vail's construction and placement, emphasizing its role in separating the two main compartments of the sanctuary. The verses immediately preceding this passage (Exodus 26:1-30) describe the outer curtains and structural elements, making the vail the culminating interior feature that defines the most sacred space.
Historical & Cultural Context
The Tabernacle was God's chosen means of dwelling among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, fulfilling the command given in Exodus 25:8. This portable sanctuary was revolutionary in the ancient Near East, as it implied a holy God would reside in the very midst of a sinful people. The vail was a critical component in maintaining the necessary distinction between God's absolute holiness and humanity's inherent impurity. While other ancient temples had inner sanctuaries, the Israelite Tabernacle's design, with its strict access protocols—only priests in the Holy Place, and only the High Priest, once a year, into the Most Holy Place on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16)—underscored a unique divine transcendence and the profound consequences of sin. The specified materials and craftsmanship reflected the highest possible value and reverence, befitting the dwelling place of the Almighty.
Key Themes
Exodus 26:31 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of God's Holiness and Transcendence, demonstrating that His presence is utterly distinct and unapproachable apart from His prescribed means. The vail's function as a barrier reinforces the theme of Separation and Atonement, illustrating the chasm created by sin between God and humanity, a chasm that would later be bridged through sacrificial atonement. Furthermore, the meticulous detail in the divine blueprint underscores the theme of Divine Order and Meticulous Design, revealing God's precise instructions for worship and fellowship. The inclusion of cherubim and "cunning work" also speaks to the theme of Sacred Artistry and Reverence, indicating that only the finest materials and most skilled craftsmanship were acceptable for the sanctuary of the Most High, reflecting the glory of the One who commanded its creation.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term specifically denotes the inner curtain that served as the primary divider between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (Holy of Holies) within both the Tabernacle and, later, the Temple. Unlike other curtains or screens, the pôreketh had the unique function of guarding the innermost sanctuary, signifying a profound barrier to God's immediate presence. Its tearing at the moment of Christ's death (as recorded in Matthew 27:51) holds immense theological significance, marking the end of the old covenant's restricted access.
Derived from a root meaning "to plait or interpenetrate," this word, when used in conjunction with "work," refers to the highest level of intricate artistic skill, particularly in weaving or embroidery. It implies the work of a master craftsman who could integrate complex figures and patterns directly into the fabric, rather than merely stitching them on. This signifies that the vail was not just a functional barrier but a masterpiece of divine art, reflecting the glory and majesty of the One whose presence it guarded and underscoring that only the absolute best was acceptable for God's sanctuary.
These are angelic beings, often depicted with wings, consistently associated in Scripture with guarding sacred spaces and God's glory. Their presence woven into the vail recalls their role in guarding the way to the tree of life after the expulsion from Eden (Genesis 3:24). On the vail, they served as visual sentinels, reinforcing the sanctity and inaccessibility of the Most Holy Place, emphasizing that access to God's immediate presence was restricted and divinely protected.
This term, derived from the root "to do or make," refers broadly to an action, transaction, or, by implication, a product or something made. In the context of "cunning work," it emphasizes the tangible result of the highly skilled craftsmanship. It signifies not just the act of making, but the resulting masterpiece—the vail itself—as a product of divine instruction and human artistry, highlighting its sacred purpose and the effort invested in its creation.
Verse Breakdown
"And thou shalt make a vail"
This opening imperative establishes the vail as a divinely ordained and absolutely essential component of the Tabernacle's design. The direct command "shalt make" underscores God's authority and meticulous involvement in every detail of His dwelling place, emphasizing that this barrier was not a human invention but a divine requirement.
"[of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen of cunning work"
This clause specifies the precise materials and colors, each imbued with symbolic significance. "Blue" often represents the heavens and the divine nature; "purple" signifies royalty and kingship; "scarlet" points to life, blood, and atonement; and "fine twined linen" denotes purity and righteousness. The phrase "of cunning work" highlights the exquisite artistry and skill required, ensuring the vail's beauty, sacredness, and durability, befitting its role in God's sanctuary.
"with cherubims shall it be made"
This final directive mandates the intricate weaving of cherubim into the very fabric of the vail. Their presence served as a powerful visual reminder of God's holiness and the guarded nature of His immediate presence, reinforcing the sanctity of the Most Holy Place and the restricted access to it, echoing their role as guardians of sacred space.
Literary Devices
Exodus 26:31 is rich in Symbolism, where each element of the vail carries profound theological meaning. The vail itself is a potent symbol of the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity, representing the inaccessibility of God's immediate presence due to sin. The specific colors—blue for heaven, purple for royalty, scarlet for sacrifice and life, and fine twined linen for purity—collectively symbolize the divine nature, sovereign rule, atoning work, and righteousness inherent to God and required for approaching Him. The cherubim symbolize divine guardians and the sanctity of God's presence, echoing their role in guarding the way to the tree of life after the expulsion from Eden. The phrase "cunning work" functions as Emphasis, highlighting the extraordinary skill, precision, and dedication demanded for God's sanctuary, implying that nothing less than perfection was acceptable for the dwelling place of the Most High. The entire verse, as part of a larger divine blueprint, exemplifies Divine Instruction, showcasing God's meticulousness and His desire for a holy dwelling place among His people, structured according to His perfect will.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The vail of the Tabernacle serves as a profound theological statement about God's absolute holiness and the utter separation between a holy God and sinful humanity. It visually and physically represented the chasm that sin erected, making direct, unmediated fellowship with God impossible apart from divine provision. The meticulous details of its construction—the precious materials, vibrant colors, and watchful cherubim—all underscored the immense value and sacredness of God's presence, while simultaneously highlighting the inaccessibility of His glory to the common person. This separation was not arbitrary but a necessary consequence of God's pure nature and humanity's fallen state, emphasizing the profound need for atonement and a divinely appointed mediator to bridge the divide. The vail stood as a constant, tangible reminder of humanity's inability to approach God on its own terms.
Reflection and Application
Exodus 26:31, though detailing an ancient architectural component, speaks volumes to us today about the unchanging nature of God and the profound transformation in our relationship with Him. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's unapproachable holiness, a truth that should inspire profound reverence, awe, and humility in our hearts. The vail, with its intricate design and formidable presence, served as a constant reminder to ancient Israel that sin creates an insurmountable barrier between humanity and a perfect God. For us, this should cultivate a deep appreciation for the immense cost and grace involved in bridging that chasm. It challenges us to consider the purity and sanctity required to stand in God's presence, fostering humility and a desire for holiness in our own lives, not as a means to earn access, but as a response to the access already granted. Understanding the vail's purpose helps us grasp the magnitude of the open access we now have, not through our own merit or ritual, but solely through the perfect, once-for-all work of Christ. This glorious privilege calls us to draw near with confidence, yet always with a profound sense of respect and worship for the One we approach.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the vail in the Tabernacle?
The primary purpose of the vail, as meticulously described in Exodus 26:31, was to create a physical and symbolic barrier separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (or Holy of Holies) within the Tabernacle. This sacred partition underscored God's absolute holiness and the inaccessibility of His immediate, glorious presence to sinful humanity. Only the High Priest was permitted to pass beyond the vail, and then only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16), after specific purification rituals, to offer atonement for the sins of the people. It served as a constant visual reminder of the separation between a holy God and an unholy people.
Why were specific colors and cherubim chosen for the vail?
The specific colors—blue, purple, and scarlet—along with fine twined linen and woven cherubim, were divinely chosen for their rich symbolic meanings, reflecting the nature of God and the purpose of the sanctuary. "Blue" often represented the heavens and God's divine, transcendent nature, connecting the earthly sanctuary to the heavenly realm. "Purple" symbolized royalty and kingship, signifying God's sovereign rule over all creation. "Scarlet" pointed to life, blood, and atonement, foreshadowing the sacrifice necessary for reconciliation with God. "Fine twined linen" represented purity and righteousness, befitting God's holy dwelling. The "cherubim" woven into the vail served as visual guardians, reinforcing the sanctity and guarded nature of the Most Holy Place and recalling their role in guarding the way to the tree of life in Genesis 3:24. Together, these elements emphasized the glory, holiness, and guarded nature of God's presence.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The vail of the Tabernacle, meticulously described in Exodus 26:31, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. This physical barrier, which once separated God's immediate presence from His people, powerfully foreshadowed the spiritual barrier of sin that stood between a holy God and fallen humanity. The dramatic moment when the vail of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom at the very instant of Christ's death on the cross (recorded in Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, and Luke 23:45) was no mere coincidence; it was a divine declaration that the way to God's presence was now opened. The author of Hebrews masterfully explains that Jesus Himself is our "new and living way" through the "vail, that is to say, his flesh" (Hebrews 10:20). His crucified body, torn for our sins, became the ultimate sacrifice, removing the barrier and granting believers direct, confident access to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Thus, the vail, which once symbolized separation and restricted access, now points to the glorious union and intimate fellowship made possible solely through the atoning work of Christ, our great High Priest, who entered the true Holy of Holies once for all, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12).