Exodus 36 35

Exodus 36:35 kjv

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

Exodus 36:35 nkjv

And he made a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen; it was worked with an artistic design of cherubim.

Exodus 36:35 niv

They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker.

Exodus 36:35 esv

He made the veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen; with cherubim skillfully worked into it he made it.

Exodus 36:35 nlt

For the inside of the Tabernacle, Bezalel made a special curtain of finely woven linen. He decorated it with blue, purple, and scarlet thread and with skillfully embroidered cherubim.

Exodus 36 verses

Exodus 36 35 Meaning

Exodus 36:35 details the craftsmanship of the inner veil, known as the parokhet, for the Tabernacle. This sacred curtain was fashioned from exquisite materials: blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, meticulously blended with fine twined linen. It was distinguished by intricately woven cherubim, a testament to divine skill infused into human artistry. This veil served as the critical boundary, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant resided, thus delineating access to the very presence of God.

Exodus 36 35 Context

Exodus 36:35 is situated within the narrative detailing the construction of the Tabernacle, precisely fulfilling the divine blueprint given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exo 25-31). Following the Israelites' offerings for the sacred dwelling and the anointing of master craftsmen Bezalel and Oholiab, this chapter describes the actual execution of the work. Specifically, verses 31-35 outline the making of the veil (parokhet) that would separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, emphasizing its materials and design as commanded in Exodus 26:31-33. The verse underscores the precision and skilled labor involved in creating this pivotal component, highlighting its role in demarcating the sacred presence of God within the tent of meeting. This veil's eventual removal from the Jewish Temple by divine action, as described in the New Testament, directly links its Old Testament function to New Testament fulfillment.

Exodus 36 35 Word analysis

• He made: This indicates the completion of a specific task by the divinely empowered craftsmen, primarily Bezalel. It points to faithful execution of God's instructions.
• a veil: Hebrew: parokhet (פָּרֹכֶת). This was the inner curtain, thicker and more elaborate than the screen at the entrance, functioning as a complete barrier. Its purpose was to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (the Holy of Holies). The impenetrability signified the holy, exclusive nature of God's dwelling and the separation of a sinful humanity from a perfect God.
• of blue: Hebrew: tekelet (תְּכֵלֶת). A highly prized dye, possibly an indigo blue from a mollusk (Murex trunculus). It is often associated with the heavens, representing God's heavenly dwelling, royalty, and divine attributes.
• purple: Hebrew: argaman (אַרְגָּמָן). A rich crimson-purple or reddish-purple dye, also derived from mollusks. Symbolized royalty, majesty, and earthly authority, connecting the Tabernacle with a kingly presence.
• and scarlet material: Hebrew: tola'at shani (תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי). Literally, "worm of scarlet," referring to the cochineal insect (Coccus ilicis) which produced this vivid crimson dye. Symbolically, scarlet is frequently linked to life, blood, sacrifice, and redemption, pointing towards atonement.
• and fine twined linen: Hebrew: shesh mishzar (שֵׁשׁ מִשְׁזָר). This was the finest, high-quality, brilliant white Egyptian linen, tightly woven. It consistently represents purity, righteousness, and holiness throughout the Tabernacle and priestly garments, suitable for the dwelling of a holy God.
• it was made with cherubim: Hebrew: keruvim (כְּרוּבִים). These are celestial beings. They appeared guarding the tree of life in Eden (Gen 3:24) and overshadowing the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant (Exo 25:18-20). In this context, woven into the veil, they symbolized the guardianship of God's holiness and His sacred space, preventing unauthorized access. They were not to be worshipped but signified the formidable and glorious presence of God.
• skillfully worked: Hebrew: ma'aseh choshev (מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב). This phrase denotes the work of an ingenious craftsman, an artisan weaver capable of complex, artistic designs, rather than mere embroidery. It emphasizes divine inspiration given to human hands (Exo 31:3), transforming material elements into sacred art reflecting heavenly patterns, suggesting wisdom, artistry, and deliberate divine intention.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "He made a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen": This phrase details the luxurious and divinely significant materials chosen for the parokhet. Each color held profound theological symbolism—blue for the heavens and God's divine nature; purple for royalty and His sovereignty; scarlet for sacrifice, blood, and redemption; and fine linen for purity and righteousness. The combination reflects the multifaceted nature of the God being approached and the way He must be approached. These were also very expensive and difficult dyes to obtain, emphasizing the preciousness and sanctity of God's presence.
• "it was made with cherubim skillfully worked": This describes the specific imagery and expert craftsmanship on the veil. The cherubim were guardians of God's holiness, akin to their role at Eden's gate. Their inclusion on the veil reiterated the sacred boundary and the awe-inspiring nature of God's presence. "Skillfully worked" indicates the highest level of artistic and weaving capability, not just mere depiction but a profound, interwoven expression of God-given wisdom and human ingenuity, underscoring the sacred nature of the item. It conveyed that human access to God was strictly limited and divinely protected.

Exodus 36 35 Bonus section

The veil's thick and durable nature meant it would have been exceedingly difficult for any human to tear it, underscoring the divine power behind its supernatural rending at Christ's death. This tearing from top to bottom signifies God's own initiative in removing the barrier, not a human act. The presence of cherubim on the veil implies that just as cherubim guarded the way to Eden's tree of life, so too did they symbolically guard the way to God's presence in the Tabernacle/Temple until Christ, who is the Tree of Life (Rev 2:7), came to provide the access. The Tabernacle, including this veil, was a "pattern of heavenly things" (Heb 8:5). Thus, the earthly veil and its meaning find their ultimate reality and fulfillment in Christ's physical body being "torn" as the "veil" that leads us into the very presence of God in the heavenly sanctuary. The contrast between the veil of Moses, which temporarily obscured God's glory (2 Cor 3:7-16), and the access gained through Christ is central to New Covenant theology.

Exodus 36 35 Commentary

Exodus 36:35 provides a succinct yet profound description of the Tabernacle's inner veil. This parokhet was not merely a decorative curtain but a highly significant symbolic barrier, separating humanity's access from God's unapproachable holiness in the Most Holy Place. Its construction using expensive and color-rich materials (blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen) underlined its supreme sacredness and reflected the glory, sovereignty, redemptive nature, and purity of God. The woven cherubim were powerful reminders of God's guarding presence and the guarded sanctity of His abode, mirroring the celestial beings that blocked the way to the Tree of Life after the fall (Gen 3:24). The phrase "skillfully worked" signifies that human artisans, divinely endowed with wisdom and understanding, meticulously followed a divine pattern, highlighting that true worship demands excellence and divine inspiration. This veil profoundly depicted the spiritual truth that sin creates an impassable gulf between God and humanity. The ultimate fulfillment and removal of this separation, represented by the temple veil tearing at Christ's crucifixion (Matt 27:51), demonstrated that Christ's shed blood opened a new and living way for direct access to God's presence (Heb 10:19-20).