Exodus 26:31
“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The precious threads of blue, purple, and scarlet, along with the fine linen, aren't just for beauty; they form a tapestry on which cherubim are skillfully worked. This suggests that God’s dwelling place isn't merely decorated, but actively inhabited by heavenly beings, pointing to a reality of divine presence far richer and more complex than we might first imagine.
This passage describes the creation of the inner curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle. This opulent veil, woven with rich colors and intricately worked cherubim, hangs on golden pillars, marking a profound boundary. It signifies that direct access to God's immediate presence is restricted, with only the High Priest permitted to enter the innermost sanctuary once a year.
Why were such expensive materials used for the veil? What does this tell us about approaching God?
The veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, woven from the finest materials: blue, purple, scarlet, and expertly worked linen. These weren't just any threads; they represented immense value and skill. The specific colors were costly and symbolic, often associated with royalty and divinity in the ancient world. The inclusion of 'skillfully worked' and the specific mention of cherubim speak to the divine design and the sacredness of the space it guarded. This wasn't a flimsy curtain; it was a testament to the grandeur and holiness of God's presence within the Most Holy Place.
The veil wasn't just fabric; it had specific, powerful imagery woven into it. What does this mean for us?
The instruction to weave cherubim into the veil is significant. Cherubim are frequently depicted in Scripture as guardians of divine presence and holiness, often associated with God's throne and majesty. Their presence on the veil served as a powerful reminder that the Most Holy Place was the very dwelling place of God, protected and set apart. They weren't merely decorative; they represented heavenly beings actively guarding the sacred space, emphasizing that access to God was not to be taken lightly.
This rich, symbolic veil did more than just divide rooms; it pointed to a deeper reality. What was it pointing towards?
The veil served a crucial function: it separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where God's presence was most manifest. Only the High Priest could enter, and only once a year, highlighting the immense gulf between sinful humanity and a holy God under the Old Covenant. The Hebrew word for veil, 'parochet,' can even imply separation or blocking. This separation was intentional, pointing forward to a time when this barrier would be removed. It symbolized the inaccessibility of God's full presence due to sin, creating a sense of awe and anticipation for the promised Messiah who would ultimately tear down this veil.
Understand the original words
paroketh · Hebrew Noun
A heavy curtain or screen designed to obstruct view or access, in the tabernacle it served to physically demarcate the sacred space and protect sinful humanity from the immediate, unapproachable presence of God.
kerubim · Hebrew Noun
Celestial beings closely associated with the throne and holiness of God, serving as guardians of divine glory and holiness, specifically portrayed here as attendants of the sacred space.
This passage directly connects the veil in the Tabernacle to the concept of the 'Most Holy Place,' highlighting its role in separating the sacred spaces, just as Exodus describes.
Hebrews 10:19-20The New Testament authors interpret the tearing of this veil at Christ's death (Matthew 27:51) as symbolic of Christ's sacrifice opening a new and living way into God's presence.
Ezekiel 41:23-26This passage describes the inner sanctuary of the future temple, mentioning doors and posts similar to the Tabernacle's construction, including cherubim imagery, which reinforces the continuity of these symbolic elements.
2 Corinthians 3:14-16The Apostle Paul uses the imagery of the veil to explain how the understanding of the Old Covenant was veiled until conversion to Christ, who removes that veil.
clarkeExodus 26:31: "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:"
Thou shalt make a veil - פרכת parocheth, from פרך parach, to break or rend; the inner veil of the tabernacle or temple, ( 2 Chronicles 3:14 ), which broke, interrupted, or divided between the holy place and the most holy; the Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle…
cambridgeExodus 26:31: "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:"
31 . a veil ] Heb. pârôketh , only in P, in the same connexion, and 2 Chronicles 3:14 : the primary meaning was probably ‘that which shuts off’ cf. Ass. parâku , to bar or shut off, parakku, apartment , esp. shrine in a Temple; Syr. perakkâ (loan-word), a shrine ). In Hebrews 6:19 f., Exodus 9:7-8 , Exodus 10:19-22 , the veil (with allusion to the…
The precious threads of blue, purple, and scarlet, along with the fine linen, aren't just for beauty; they form a tapestry on which cherubim are skillfully worked. This suggests that God’s dwelling place isn't merely decorated, but actively inhabited by heavenly beings, pointing to a reality of divine presence far richer and more complex than we might first imagine.
This passage describes the creation of the inner curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle. This opulent veil, woven with rich colors and intricately worked cherubim, hangs on golden pillars, marking a profound boundary. It signifies that direct access to God's immediate presence is restricted, with only the High Priest permitted to enter the innermost sanctuary once a year.
This passage describes the creation of the inner curtain that separates the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle. This opulent veil, woven with rich colors and intricately worked cherubim, hangs on golden pillars, marking a profound boundary. It signifies that direct access to God's immediate presence is restricted, with only the High Priest permitted to enter the innermost sanctuary once a year.
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"“And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it." — The precious threads of blue, purple, and scarlet, along with the fine linen, aren't just for beauty; they form a tapestry on which cherubim are skillfully worked. This suggests that God’s dwelling…
