Exodus 36:35 Meaning: The Veil That Kept and Opened
He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman.
And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.
And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubim, the work of the skilful workman, made he it.
And he maketh the vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of a designer he hath made it, with cherubs;
And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus: of artistic work he made it [with] cherubim.
Meaning in one sentence
Exodus 36:35 describes the tabernacle veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and linen with cherubim, a barrier between God and humanity that the New Testament reveals as opened
Context
This verse comes from the section of Exodus where the tabernacle is actually being built. Moses had received the pattern from God on the mountain, and now skilled workers like Bezalel and Oholiab are carrying it out. Chapter 36 records the making of the curtains, boards, bars, and the inner veil that would separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. That veil was no ordinary curtain. It marked the boundary between God's presence dwelling above the ark and the rest of the camp. Only the high priest could pass through it, and only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The care taken in its construction shows that approaching God was not something done casually.
Key Words
The verse uses three key Hebrew words that carry the weight of meaning. Paroket (the veil) is a curtain that does not just decorate; it separates. It defines a boundary. In the tabernacle it marked the line between the ordinary and the holy. Cherubim (keruvim) were angelic figures woven into the fabric. They recall the cherubim God placed at the east of Eden to guard the way to the tree of life (Genesis 3:24). Their presence on the veil says: this is a guarded place. And chashav, translated as "skillful workman," comes from a verb that means to think, devise, or design. This was not routine labor. It was thoughtful, inspired craftsmanship, the kind of work that comes from a heart filled with wisdom from God. Together these words picture a barrier that was deliberate, beautiful, and deeply significant.
How Christians Read This Verse
Matthew Henry and John Wesley both read this veil as a symbol of the darkness and distance of the Old Testament compared to the New. The veil kept people out, reminding them that God's presence was not to be approached lightly. Other Christian traditions see the cherubim as a link to Eden, reinforcing that the way to God was closed. The New Testament reinterprets the veil in light of Christ: Matthew 27:51 records that at Jesus' death the temple veil tore from top to bottom, and Hebrews 10:20 calls the veil Christ's flesh, the new and living way opened for us. Across traditions, the veil is understood as both a barrier and a promise that one day the barrier would be removed.
A common misunderstanding
Some may think the veil was just an ornate piece of fabric for decoration or privacy. In fact, its specific colors, materials, and cherubim carried deep meaning. The veil marked a real boundary between a holy God and sinful humanity. It was not meant to hide God's indifference but to protect people from His consuming holiness. The cherubim reinforced that the way was guarded, just as the way to Eden's tree was guarded.
Living This Out
You might feel that something separates you from God, your past, your doubts, a sense that He is far away. That feeling is real, but the veil that stood in the tabernacle is not standing anymore. This week, name one barrier you sense between you and God. It could be a sin you keep hiding, a fear that you will not be welcomed, or just a long silence in prayer. Bring that thing to mind. Then remember the veil that tore. The way is open. You can speak to Him, and He hears you.
Main takeaway: The veil in the tabernacle separated people from God's presence, but Christ's death tore it open so that anyone may draw near.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God told workers to make a special curtain for His tent. It had beautiful colors and angels sewn into it. This curtain reminded everyone that God is very holy and special.
For ages 9, 12
In the tabernacle, a thick veil with angel pictures separated the first room from the inner room where God's presence rested. Only the high priest could go past it, and only once a year. Everything about the veil said: God is set apart, and we cannot just walk in. But when Jesus died, the big temple veil tore open from top to bottom. That showed God was no longer keeping people out, He was inviting everyone in through Jesus.
Questions People Ask
Why were cherubim woven into the veil?
Cherubim are angelic beings associated with guarding God's presence. In Genesis they guarded the way to the tree of life after Adam and Eve were sent out. On the veil, they reminded Israel that God's holiness was not to be approached casually, the way was guarded, and only the high priest could enter on the Day of Atonement.
What did the colors blue, purple, and scarlet represent?
These colors were costly and associated with royalty, wealth, and the priesthood. Blue and purple came from rare dyes, scarlet from a small insect. Together with the fine white linen, they created a fabric fit for the dwelling place of the King of kings. Christian readers have also seen in them symbols of Christ's royalty (purple), sacrifice (scarlet), and heavenly origin (blue).
Is this the same veil that tore when Jesus died?
The veil in Exodus 36:35 was for the tabernacle, a tent that traveled with Israel. Later, Solomon's temple had a similar veil. Matthew 27:51 records that at Jesus' death the temple veil tore in two from top to bottom. That temple veil was the direct descendant of the one described here, carrying the same meaning.
Why was it called 'the work of a skillful workman'?
The Hebrew word chashav means to think, devise, or design. This was not routine weaving, it required wisdom, creativity, and skill. God had filled Bezalel with His Spirit for this work (Exodus 31:3). The phrase honors the craft and reminds us that the tabernacle was a work of art inspired by God.
How does Hebrews 10:20 say the veil represents Christ's flesh?
Hebrews 10:19-20 says Jesus opened a new and living way through the veil, that is, His flesh. The idea is that the physical veil of the tabernacle symbolized the barrier of sin between God and humanity. Jesus' body, offered on the cross, was like that veil being torn, it gave us direct access to God's presence.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study