Exodus 26:36 kjv
And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework.
Exodus 26:36 nkjv
"You shall make a screen for the door of the tabernacle, woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, made by a weaver.
Exodus 26:36 niv
"For the entrance to the tent make a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen?the work of an embroiderer.
Exodus 26:36 esv
"You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework.
Exodus 26:36 nlt
"Make another curtain for the entrance to the sacred tent. Make it of finely woven linen and embroider it with exquisite designs, using blue, purple, and scarlet thread.
Exodus 26 36 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 26:31 | "And thou shalt make a veil... for the most holy place." | Distinguishes this screen from the inner Veil. |
| Exod 26:37 | "And thou shalt make for the hanging five pillars of shittim wood..." | Follows immediately, describing its support. |
| Exod 27:16 | "And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging... of blue..." | Similar materials used for the outer court gate. |
| Exod 35:25 | "And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands..." | Highlights the skilled craft of the workers. |
| Exod 35:35 | "He has filled them with skill... in all manner of work..." | Divine enablement for artistic craftsmanship. |
| Exod 36:37 | "And he made the hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple..." | Records the actual completion according to command. |
| Exod 38:18 | "And the screen for the gate of the court was of needlework..." | Confirmation of materials for the court gate. |
| Exod 39:29 | "The curtain for the gate of the court... of blue, and purple, and scarlet..." | Reinforces the consistency of material usage. |
| Num 3:25-26 | "The charge of the sons of Gershon... the tent, the covering thereof, and the screen for the door..." | Specifies the Levite family responsible for moving it. |
| Num 4:26 | "And the hangings of the court, and the screen for the door of the gate..." | Reiterates specific Levite responsibilities. |
| John 10:9 | "I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved..." | Christ as the spiritual fulfillment of the "door." |
| Heb 10:19-20 | "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;" | Christ's body as the new "veil" providing ultimate access. |
| Eph 2:18 | "For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father." | Access to God enabled through Christ. |
| Rev 19:8 | "And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white..." | Symbolism of fine linen for righteousness. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | "But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish..." | Relates to the scarlet's symbolism of sacrifice. |
| Col 1:22 | "In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy..." | Purification and presentation before God through Christ. |
| Phil 3:20 | "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour..." | Blue (heavenly) points to spiritual origin/destiny. |
| Isa 1:18 | "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow..." | Scarlet also points to cleansing from sin. |
| Prov 31:22 | "She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple." | Associates linen and purple with nobility/worth. |
| Zech 1:8 | "And behind him were red horses, speckled, and white." | Symbolic colors (red) appear elsewhere in vision. |
| Heb 9:1-2 | "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle made..." | General context of the Tabernacle's physical components. |
| 1 Cor 6:19-20 | "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit..." | The principle of God dwelling among His people in a new way. |
Exodus 26 verses
Exodus 26 36 Meaning
This verse details the construction of the hanging, or screen, for the entrance of the Holy Place of the Tabernacle. This hanging served as the designated entryway into the first section of the Tabernacle tent, distinct from the inner veil that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. It specifies the rich and symbolically significant materials: blue, purple, and scarlet threads, woven with fine twined linen, and embellished with skilled needlework, forming a beautiful and sacred portal.
Exodus 26 36 Context
Exodus 26 describes the intricate blueprint for the Tabernacle's inner structures: the curtains, boards, bars, the inner veil, and in this verse, the screen for the tent's main entrance. These detailed instructions, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, served as a divine architectural plan for a portable sanctuary. Historically, the Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings (Exod 25:8), emphasizing His tangible presence, holiness, and the ordered way for His people to approach Him. The construction served to distinguish God's worship from the often chaotic or unholy practices of surrounding pagan cultures, providing a unique model of structured devotion and prefiguring deeper spiritual realities revealed in the New Covenant.
Exodus 26 36 Word analysis
- And thou shalt make: (`wā-‘āśîṯā`) This phrase initiates a direct divine command, emphasizing that the creation of this hanging is a non-negotiable part of God's prescribed plan for the Tabernacle. It denotes purposeful construction based on precise instructions.
- an hanging: (`māsāk`) A screen or covering, serving as an entry point. This term distinctively marks it as the general entrance to the Holy Place, different from the more exclusive "veil" (`pārōḵeṯ`) for the Most Holy Place. It defines a boundary that is traversable, unlike a solid wall.
- for the door: (`petaḥ`) Refers to the "opening" or "entrance." It signifies the threshold or access point into the interior of the Tabernacle Tent, indicating a specific, designated passage.
- of the tent: (`hā-‘ōhel`) Specifies that this is the entrance to the Tabernacle's main structure, often referred to as "the tent of meeting" (`ōhel mô‘ēd`). This highlights its mobile nature during the wilderness journey and its purpose as a place of encounter with God.
- of blue: (`təḵēleṯ`) A precious, deep blue dye. Symbolizes the heavenly, the divine, and God's spiritual nature. It evokes transcendence and reminds one of God's throne above the sky.
- and purple: (`‘argāmān`) A rare and costly royal color. Symbolizes majesty, kingship, and God's supreme sovereignty. Its presence signifies that the Tabernacle is the dwelling of a King.
- and scarlet: (`šānî`) A vivid red dye. Symbolizes life, blood, sacrifice, and sometimes sin and purification. It powerfully foreshadows the blood atonement central to God's plan for redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Christ's sacrifice.
- and fine twined linen: (`šēš mašzār`) High-quality, white linen threads that are tightly woven for strength and purity. Symbolizes righteousness, holiness, and the absolute purity of God. It reflects the spotless nature required for approaching a holy God.
- wrought with needlework: (`ma‘aśēh rōqēm`) Describes the skilled artistry of embroidery or tapestry. This detail emphasizes that God desires excellence and beauty in service, valuing the meticulous effort and creative skill applied by individuals endowed by Him (Exod 35:35).
- "And thou shalt make an hanging for the door of the tent": This phrase underscores that the means of access to God's presence, though regulated, is divinely ordained and provided. It signifies both an invitation and a controlled entry, setting apart the sacred space.
- "of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen": This particular combination of colors and material is recurring across key sacred items in the Tabernacle. Each element contributes to a holistic theological statement about God's character and the nature of approach to Him: His transcendence (blue), His kingship (purple), His provision through sacrifice (scarlet), and His absolute purity and righteousness (fine linen). Together, they point to the multi-faceted majesty and salvific nature of God.
- "wrought with needlework": This highlights the human skill guided by divine inspiration involved in creating God's sanctuary. It suggests that reverence and devotion include dedicating one's highest abilities to God, making His dwelling not just functional but beautiful and artful.
Exodus 26 36 Bonus section
The materials for this Tabernacle screen (blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen) are repeatedly mentioned together in Tabernacle instructions (Exod 25:4; 28:5-6; 39:1, 29). This consistency underscores a deliberate divine "color code" conveying theological truth across various holy articles. The distinct visual and material characteristics of this "hanging" for the entrance of the tent contrast with the plainness of common desert tents, unequivocally declaring the special nature of this sacred structure. While providing access to the priests for their daily ministry, this screen still conveyed reverence and distinctness, preparing the worshiper's heart for the holiness within. The Tabernacle, including its various screens and veils, served as a divinely-designed pedagogical model, teaching Israel about God's holiness, humanity's sinfulness, and God's ordained way of redemption, a model later perfectly fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, making God's dwelling truly accessible to all who come by faith.
Exodus 26 36 Commentary
Exodus 26:36 describes the intricate and beautiful screen that marked the entrance to the Holy Place within the Tabernacle. This "hanging" was not merely decorative but functional, signifying both an inviting access point and a boundary. Its rich colors and fine linen were packed with symbolism, echoing profound theological truths. The blue threads represented God's heavenly dwelling and transcendent nature, while the purple proclaimed His ultimate kingship and majesty. Scarlet vividly pointed to the atoning sacrifice and shed blood necessary for forgiveness and reconciliation. Fine twined linen emphasized God's impeccable purity and the righteousness required of those who would draw near. The precise "needlework" highlighted divine standards for excellence in service and beauty in worship. This Tabernacle door, while physically separating, also prefigured Christ Himself, who proclaimed, "I am the door" (John 10:9). Just as the priests passed through this screen to minister, believers today enter God's presence not by a physical curtain, but through Christ, whose flesh, rent on the cross, becomes the new and living way, providing unrestricted access for all who believe (Heb 10:20). It reminds us that our approach to God is through His perfect provision, characterized by His heavenly royalty, sacrificial love, and absolute holiness.