Exodus 36:35-36
He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast for them four bases of silver.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While the veil's rich colors and fine linen speak of its beauty, the "skillfully worked" cherubim are the real focus. These divine figures woven into the fabric were not mere decoration, but a powerful reminder that God's presence, though veiled, was central to the sanctuary, and His angelic host attended Him.
Following the detailed instructions for constructing the tabernacle's walls and coverings, skilled artisans now meticulously craft the heavy, ornate veil. This veil, made of rich materials and intricately worked with cherubim, serves as a crucial divider, separating the holy place from the most holy place where God's presence would dwell.
Ever wonder why specific colors and materials were chosen for sacred spaces? This wasn't just about making things look pretty; it was a profound statement of God's glory.
The creation of the veil for the Tabernacle was a deliberate act of divine craftsmanship. God didn't just command a structure; He dictated its every detail, from the high-quality materials to the intricate design.
A Palette of Purpose
The colors used – blue, purple, scarlet, and fine-twined linen – weren't arbitrary. Each likely held symbolic meaning:
Skillful Hands, Divine Mandate
More than just colors, the veil was adorned with 'cherubim skillfully worked into it.' This wasn't a human invention; it was a direct reflection of the heavenly pattern God showed Moses. Bezaleel and his team, filled with God's Spirit, executed this 'cunning work' precisely as commanded, demonstrating that true worship and sacred service are always guided by divine instruction, not human creativity alone.
This thick curtain wasn't just a decorative piece; it was a profound barrier. What did it hide, and what did it ultimately point to?
The veil served as a physical separation between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle. This division had deep theological significance:
A Barrier to the Divine
Understand the original words
paroket · Hebrew Noun
A heavy, decorative curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, symbolizing the holiness of God and the barrier between God and man that could only be passed by the high priest under strict conditions.
keruvim · Hebrew Noun
Celestial beings associated with the throne and presence of God, signifying His majesty, holiness, and the protection of His glory from sinful humanity.
shesh mashzar · Hebrew Noun phrase
Material often associated with purity and priestly garments; 'twined' denotes it was woven from multiple strands, signifying complexity, beauty, and ritual holiness.
ammud · Hebrew Noun
This passage describes the second veil in the Tabernacle, just like the one in Exodus, highlighting its function in separating the Holy of Holies and pointing towards Christ's sacrifice.
Exodus 26:31-33This is the foundational command for the veil's construction and placement, showing how the skilled labor described in Exodus 36 was a direct fulfillment of God's detailed instructions.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This passage speaks of God choosing the 'weak' and 'foolish' things of the world to shame the wise, echoing how God gave wisdom to ordinary craftsmen like Bezalel to accomplish His sacred, intricate work.
John 1:14This verse states that 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,' using the imagery of 'tabernacling' to connect the dwelling of God in the Tabernacle with the Incarnation of Jesus.
Matthew 27:51The tearing of the temple veil at Jesus' death directly signifies the end of the Old Covenant's separation and the opening of direct access to God, a symbolic fulfillment of the veil's purpose.
calvinExodus 36:1-38: "Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whom the LORD put wisdom and understanding to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the LORD had commanded."
Then wrought Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whom the Lord put wisdom and understanding, to know how to work all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that the Lord had commanded.
Fecit ergo Besele…
jfbExodus 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."
- he made a veil of blue—the second or inner veil, which separated the holy from the most holy place, embroidered with cherubim and of great size and thickness.
While the veil's rich colors and fine linen speak of its beauty, the "skillfully worked" cherubim are the real focus. These divine figures woven into the fabric were not mere decoration, but a powerful reminder that God's presence, though veiled, was central to the sanctuary, and His angelic host attended Him.
Following the detailed instructions for constructing the tabernacle's walls and coverings, skilled artisans now meticulously craft the heavy, ornate veil. This veil, made of rich materials and intricately worked with cherubim, serves as a crucial divider, separating the holy place from the most holy place where God's presence would dwell.
Following the detailed instructions for constructing the tabernacle's walls and coverings, skilled artisans now meticulously craft the heavy, ornate veil. This veil, made of rich materials and intricately worked with cherubim, serves as a crucial divider, separating the holy place from the most holy place where God's presence would dwell.
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The Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided, was God's dwelling place on earth. However, it was veiled off, accessible only to the High Priest, and only once a year, on the Day of Atonement. This signified:
Foreshadowing a Greater Reality
This physical veil was a powerful symbol of a spiritual truth. It pointed forward to a time when the barrier between God and humanity would be removed. The cherubim woven into the veil, which guard God's presence, also remind us of His holiness and the need for proper atonement.
A vertical support structure, often symbolizing stability, strength, and the holding up of sacred spaces or divine promises. In the Tabernacle, they marked the threshold of God's presence.
shittim · Hebrew Noun
A durable, decay-resistant wood from the shittim tree, native to the wilderness. It was frequently used in the construction of the Tabernacle and its furniture, symbolizing incorruptibility and humanity prepared for the service of God.
zahab · Hebrew Noun
A protective, precious, and incorruptible metal, often symbolizing the glory, divinity, and purity of God’s kingdom in the Tabernacle.
kesep · Hebrew Noun
Used in the Tabernacle to provide structural stability and a foundation for the framework. Silver often symbolizes redemption and atonement in the biblical system of offerings.
"He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it. And for it he made four pillars of acacia and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold, and he cast f…" — While the veil's rich colors and fine linen speak of its beauty, the "skillfully worked" cherubim are the real focus. These divine figures woven into the fabric were not mere decoration, but a powerf…
