Exodus 26:31 Meaning: The Veil That Opened the Way to God
“You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a skillful workman.
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:
And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim the work of the skilful workman shall it be made:
`And thou hast made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of a designer; he maketh it with cherubs;
And thou shalt make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus; of artistic work shall it be made, with cherubim.
Meaning in one sentence
Understand the tabernacle veil: its materials, cherubim, and how it foreshadows Christ's flesh torn for our access to God.
Context
The book of Exodus records God giving Moses detailed instructions for building the tabernacle, the tent where God would dwell among His people. Chapter 26 describes the structure itself: layers of curtains, wooden frames, and a dividing curtain. Verse 31 introduces that inner curtain, called the veil. It would hang between the holy place, where priests ministered daily, and the most holy place, where the ark of the covenant rested. Only the high priest could enter beyond that veil, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This veil was not just a room divider; it marked the boundary between a holy God and His people, a boundary that could not be crossed without sacrifice.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for veil, parocheth, comes from a root meaning “to break apart” or “to separate.” It suggests something that shuts off or bars the way. The veil was a clear reminder that the full presence of God was not yet open to all.
The colours carry meaning, too. Techelet (blue) was a dye from a Mediterranean shellfish, rare and costly. Argaman (purple) was associated with royalty. Tola'at shani (scarlet) came from the crushed bodies of insects, a colour of sacrifice. Together with fine white linen, they spoke of majesty, suffering, and purity.
The cherubim woven into the fabric were not decoration. Throughout Scripture, cherubim guard the way to God’s presence, as they did at Eden (Genesis 3:24). On the veil, they reminded Israel that the way into the holiest was not yet open. Every glance at that curtain said: you cannot enter here. Not yet.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christian commentators have long seen the veil as a picture of Jesus. Matthew Henry and John Wesley both note that the veil kept the most holy place hidden, just as the ceremonial law veiled full access to God. When Christ died, the temple veil was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51).
Adam Clarke connects the word parocheth directly to Christ’s flesh, reading Hebrews 10:20 as the key: the veil is His flesh, torn to open a new way. John Calvin emphasises that the veil taught Israel to long for the Messiah, who would remove every barrier. Gill similarly sees the blue, purple, and scarlet as symbols of Christ’s graces and sacrifice.
These traditions agree on the central point: the veil both revealed the problem, separation from God, and pointed to the solution, the One who would tear it open.
A common misunderstanding
Some assume the veil was simply a decorative curtain, a beautiful piece of temple art. In fact, its primary purpose was not decoration but separation. The veil marked an absolute boundary: only the high priest could enter beyond it, and only once a year with blood. The materials and cherubim were not ornamental, they proclaimed the holiness of God and the barrier that sin creates. Understanding this makes the tearing of the veil at Christ’s death all the more stunning: what once shut us out has been opened for us.
Living This Out
This week, you may feel a distance from God. Maybe your own failures or doubts have left you hesitating to draw near. The veil in the tabernacle said “keep out,” but that is not the last word. When Jesus died, that veil was torn from top to bottom. The way is open.
What would it look like for you to enter God’s presence as you are today, not because you are worthy, but because the veil has been removed? You do not need to clean yourself up first. The High Priest has already gone inside. You are invited to follow.
Main takeaway: The veil that once barred the way to God was a shadow of Christ's flesh, torn open to give us confident access to the Father.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
In the special tent where God met His people, there was a big curtain. It had pretty colours and pictures of angels. That curtain meant only the priest could go near God. But when Jesus died, God tore that curtain open so everyone could come close to Him.
For ages 9, 12
The tabernacle was like a giant tent where God’s presence stayed with Israel. A thick curtain with blue, purple, scarlet threads and cherubim divided the main room from the most holy room where God’s glory rested. Nobody could go past that curtain except the high priest once a year. That separation was a serious reminder that sin keeps us away from a holy God. But when Jesus died on the cross, Matthew tells us the temple veil tore in two. The barrier was gone. Jesus opened a new way, and now anyone who trusts in Him can come right into God’s presence without fear.
Questions People Ask
What was the veil in the tabernacle made of?
The veil was made of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely twisted linen. Cherubim were skillfully worked into it. It was a heavy, richly decorated curtain that hung on four gold-covered acacia pillars set in silver sockets.
What do the colours of the veil (blue, purple, scarlet) represent?
Many Christians see these colours as pointing to Christ: blue to His heavenly nature, purple to His royalty, and scarlet to His sacrifice (the dye came from crushed insects). Together with white linen, they evoke purity and majesty.
Why were cherubim woven into the veil?
Cherubim are angelic beings associated with guarding God's holiness. In Genesis, cherubim guarded the way to the tree of life. On the veil, they served as a reminder that the full presence of God was not yet accessible, a boundary that would only be removed by Christ.
How does Exodus 26:31 point to Jesus?
Hebrews 10:20 calls Christ's flesh a 'veil' that was torn to open a new and living way into God's presence. The tabernacle veil's design, its beauty and its function as a barrier, foreshadowed Jesus' human body. When He died, the temple veil tore, signifying that the way to God was now open to all.
Was the tabernacle veil the same as the temple veil that tore when Jesus died?
The tabernacle veil described in Exodus was a portable curtain used in the wilderness. Later, Solomon's temple had a similar veil (2 Chronicles 3:14). The veil that tore at Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) was the temple veil, but it carried the same meaning: the barrier between God and humanity was removed.
For pastors & researchers
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