Exodus 36:35

ΒΆ And he made a vail [of] blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: [with] cherubims made he it of cunning work.

And he made {H6213} a vail {H6532} of blue {H8504}, and purple {H713}, and scarlet {H8144}{H8438}, and fine twined {H7806} linen {H8336}: with cherubims {H3742} made {H6213} he it of cunning {H2803} work {H4639}.

He made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely woven linen. He made them with k'ruvim worked in that had been crafted by a skilled artisan.

Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.

And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim, the work of the skilful workman, made he it.

Commentary

Exodus 36:35 describes the meticulous creation of the veil for the Tabernacle, a crucial element in ancient Israelite worship that separated the sacred spaces and symbolized God's holiness.

Context of the Verse

This verse is part of a larger section in Exodus (chapters 35-40) detailing the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, meticulously carried out by skilled craftsmen like Bezalel and Oholiab according to the precise instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The veil, or parokhet in Hebrew, was not merely a decorative curtain; it served a vital function. It was positioned between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies), where the Ark of the Covenant resided and God's presence uniquely dwelt. This physical barrier underscored the holiness of God and the separation between a sinful humanity and a perfect Deity.

Description and Symbolism

The veil was crafted from exquisite materials: blue, purple, and scarlet threads, expertly woven into fine twined linen. Each material and color carried profound symbolic meaning for the Israelites:

  • Blue: Often associated with the heavens, representing God's divine and heavenly nature.
  • Purple: A color of royalty, symbolizing God's kingship and sovereignty.
  • Scarlet: Points to life, blood, and atonement, foreshadowing the sacrificial system necessary for approaching God.
  • Fine Twined Linen: Signified purity and righteousness, the prerequisite for divine encounter.

Furthermore, the veil was adorned with cherubims, intricately woven into the fabric by "cunning work." The presence of cherubim often signifies the guarding of God's sacred spaces and His holy presence, recalling their role in guarding the Garden of Eden after the fall of man.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cunning work" translates the Hebrew word חֹשׁ֡ב (choshev), which denotes the work of a master weaver or designer. This wasn't simple embroidery; it implies a highly skilled, artistic process of weaving intricate, patterned designs directly into the fabric, showcasing the divine standard of excellence required for God's dwelling place.

Spiritual Significance and New Testament Fulfillment

The veil in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple) profoundly illustrated the separation between God and humankind due to sin. Access to the Most Holy Place was restricted to the High Priest, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2). However, this symbolic barrier was dramatically removed at the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospel accounts record that at the moment of Christ's death, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), signifying that the way to God's presence was now opened for all believers. The book of Hebrews elaborates on this, explaining that Christ's body was the true veil, and through His sacrifice, believers now have direct access to God's presence, entering into the "holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Practical Application

Exodus 36:35 reminds us of God's awesome holiness and the detailed reverence He commanded for His dwelling. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible privilege we have through Jesus Christ. We no longer need a physical veil or an earthly high priest to mediate our access to God. The perfect sacrifice of Jesus has opened a "new and living way" for us to approach God's throne with confidence, knowing we are welcomed into His presence by grace.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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;

  • Hebrews 10:20

    By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

  • Exodus 30:6

    And thou shalt put it before the vail that [is] by the ark of the testimony, before the mercy seat that [is] over the testimony, where I will meet with thee.

  • Exodus 26:31

    ΒΆ 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:

  • Exodus 26:37

    And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars [of] shittim [wood], and overlay them with gold, [and] their hooks [shall be of] gold: and thou shalt cast five sockets of brass for them.

  • Exodus 40:21

    And he brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the vail of the covering, and covered the ark of the testimony; as the LORD commanded Moses.
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