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.

And every wise {H2450} hearted man {H3820} among them that wrought {H6213} the work {H4399} of the tabernacle {H4908} made {H6213} ten {H6235} curtains {H3407} of fine twined {H7806} linen {H8336}, and blue {H8504}, and purple {H713}, and scarlet {H8144}{H8438}: with cherubims {H3742} of cunning {H2803} work {H4639} made {H6213} he them.

All the skilled men among them who did the work made the tabernacle, using ten sheets of finely woven linen and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn. He made them with k'ruvim worked in that had been crafted by a skilled artisan.

All the skilled craftsmen among the workmen made the ten curtains for the tabernacle. They were made of finely spun linen, as well as blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, with cherubim skillfully worked into them.

And all the wise-hearted men among them that wrought the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains; of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, with cherubim, the work of the skilful workman, Bezalel made them.

Commentary

Exodus 36:8 marks a pivotal moment in the construction of the Tabernacle, moving from the collection of materials and divine instruction to the actual craftsmanship. This verse highlights the skilled artisans beginning their work on the sacred dwelling place for God among His people.

Context of Exodus 36:8

Following God's detailed blueprints given to Moses on Mount Sinai (as recorded in Exodus chapters 25-31), the people of Israel responded with overwhelming generosity. Chapter 36 opens with the commencement of the actual building process. The verse specifically describes the creation of the innermost coverings for the Tabernacle – the ten curtains – which formed the very ceiling and inner walls of the holy structure. This phase demonstrates the Israelites' obedience and dedication to fulfilling God's commands for His portable sanctuary.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Empowerment for Service: The phrase "every wise hearted man" points to individuals whom God had specifically gifted with skill and understanding for this sacred task. As noted earlier in Exodus 31:3 and Exodus 35:31, God filled Bezalel and Aholiab, along with other skilled artisans, with the Spirit of God, imparting wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all manner of workmanship. This underscores that true ability for God's work comes from Him.
  • Excellence in God's Service: The meticulous detail and precious materials—fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet threads—along with the intricate "cunning work" of cherubim, emphasize that God desires the highest quality and beauty in worship and service. The Tabernacle was not merely functional; it was a masterpiece reflecting the glory of the God it housed.
  • Symbolism of the Materials and Design:
    • Fine twined linen: Symbolized purity and righteousness.
    • Blue: Represented heaven and the divine nature of God.
    • Purple: Signified royalty and kingship.
    • Scarlet: Pointed to atonement and sacrifice, often associated with blood.
    • Cherubims: These angelic figures, intricately woven, symbolized the presence of God and guarded His holiness, similar to their role guarding the tree of life in Genesis 3:24. Their presence on the inner curtains reinforced the sacredness of the Tabernacle as God's dwelling.

Linguistic Insights

The term "wise hearted man" (Hebrew: chakam lev) indicates more than just intellectual wisdom; it refers to practical skill, discernment, and an inner spiritual aptitude for craftsmanship, divinely bestowed. "Cunning work" (Hebrew: ma'aseh choshev) describes the work of a master weaver or designer, implying highly artistic and intricate patterns, particularly the weaving of figures like the cherubim directly into the fabric, rather than simply embroidering them on top. This was a testament to extraordinary skill.

Practical Application

Exodus 36:8 reminds us that God still equips His people with diverse gifts and talents for His kingdom work today. Whether it's teaching, administration, music, hospitality, or artistic expression, all our abilities, when surrendered to God, can be used to build up His church and glorify His name. It encourages us to perform all tasks, especially those for God, with excellence and dedication, recognizing that our skills are a divine endowment. Just as the Tabernacle served as a temporary dwelling for God among His people, we are now called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, reflecting His beauty and holiness in our lives.

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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 1:5

    Also out of the midst thereof [came] the likeness of four living creatures. And this [was] their appearance; they had the likeness of a man.

  • Ezekiel 1:28

    As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so [was] the appearance of the brightness round about. This [was] the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw [it], I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

  • 1 Chronicles 15:1

    ¶ And [David] made him houses in the city of David, and prepared a place for the ark of God, and pitched for it a tent.

  • Exodus 31:6

    And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;

  • Ezekiel 10:1

    ¶ Then I looked, and, behold, in the firmament that was above the head of the cherubims there appeared over them as it were a sapphire stone, as the appearance of the likeness of a throne.

  • Ezekiel 10:19

    And the cherubims lifted up their wings, and mounted up from the earth in my sight: when they went out, the wheels also [were] beside them, and [every one] stood at the door of the east gate of the LORD'S house; and the glory of the God of Israel [was] over them above.

  • 1 Kings 6:23

    And within the oracle he made two cherubims [of] olive tree, [each] ten cubits high.
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