Exodus 36:35 · Bible study
Exodus 36:35 Commentary: The Veil of the Tabernacle
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Explore the significance of the tabernacle veil made with cherubim, its symbolism of God's holiness, and the New Testament's reinterpretation through
Research Summary
- Meaning: The veil physically separated the holy place from the most holy place, symbolizing the barrier between a holy God and sinful humanity.
- Key words: Veil (פָּרֹכֶת, parokhet), skillful workman (חֹשֵׁב, choshev), cherubim (כְּרֻבִים, keruvim), colors of royalty and sacrifice.
- Main debate: Theological focus: some emphasize the veil as a barrier of the law, others as a type of Christ's flesh (Hebrews 10:20), both held in historic Christian teaching.
- Theological theme: The holy distance of the old covenant and the open access of the new covenant through Christ's sacrifice.
- Best use: Preaching the gospel from the old testament; showing how every detail points to Jesus and the new and living way.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
Next, he made the veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman.
KJV King James Version 1769
And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And he maketh the vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined linen, work of a designer he hath made it, with cherubs;
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And he made the veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and twined byssus: of artistic work he made it [with] cherubim.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
He made also a veil of violet, and purple, scarlet and fine twisted linen, varied and distinguished with embroidery:
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Hizo asimismo el velo de cárdeno, y púrpura, y carmesí, y lino torcido, el cual hizo con querubines de delicada obra.
Fez assim o véu de azul, e púrpura, e carmesim, e linho torcido, o qual fez com querubins de delicada obra.
On fit le voile de fil bleu, pourpre et cramoisi, et de fin lin retors; on le fit artistement travaillé, et l’ on y représenta des chérubins.
Und machte den Vorhang mit dem Cherubim daran künstlich von blauem und rotem Purpur, Scharlach und gezwirnter weißer Leinwand.
Daarna maakte hij een voorhang van hemelsblauw, en purper, en scharlaken, en fijn getweernd linnen; van het allerkunstelijkste werk maakte hij denzelven, met cherubim.
Fu fatto pure il velo, di filo violaceo, porporino, scarlatto, e di lino fino ritorto con de’ cherubini artisticamente lavorati;
Uczynił zaś zasłonę z hijacyntu, i z szarłatu, i z karmazynu dwa kroć farbowanego, i z białego jedwabiu kręconego; robotą misterną uczynił to z Cherubiny.
И сделал завесу из голубой, пурпуровой и червленой шерсти и из крученого виссона, и искусною работою сделал на ней херувимов;
他用藍色、紫色、朱紅色線，和撚的 細麻 織 幔子，以巧匠 的手工 繡 上 基路伯。
And he made the veil of the best linen, blue and purple and red, worked with winged ones designed by expert workmen.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Exodus 36:35
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this veil was the inner curtain separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Matthew Henry and Wesley describe it as signifying darkness and distance under the Old Covenant, compared with the New Testament's clear revelation and invitation to draw near. Cambridge and Jamieson-Fausset-Brown note that it was made of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, embroidered with cherubim, a work of great skill and cost. The veil marked the boundary of access to God's presence, where only the high priest could enter once a year. The careful execution of the veil, as a 'work of a skillful workman' (Hebrew חֹשֵׁב, choshev), underscores that even the barrier was crafted with excellence and divine direction.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The veil was a physical curtain that separated the holy place from the most holy place, made of expensive materials and cherubim, and its construction followed God's explicit instructions.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| The veil as a barrier | All Christians affirm the veil separated the holy place from the most holy place, restricting access to the high priest alone on the Day of Atonement. | Catholic and Orthodox traditions emphasize the veil as a type of the Blessed Virgin Mary (through whom Christ entered the world), while Protestant traditions focus on the veil as a symbol of Christ's flesh or the law. |
| Significance of the colors and materials | Christians see the colors (blue, purple, scarlet) and fine linen as reflecting royal and priestly imagery, pointing to the majesty of God. | Some traditions assign specific symbolic meanings to each color (e.g., blue for heaven, purple for royalty, scarlet for atonement), while others view them primarily as decorative instructions from God. |
| Cherubim on the veil | Cherubim represent angelic guardians of God's throne, reminding worshippers of the holiness of the space beyond. | Some see the cherubim as a warning that only the high priest could enter, while others see them as a promise of future access through the mediator Christ. |
| New Testament reinterpretation | Christians agree that the tearing of the temple veil at Christ's death (Matthew 27:51) signifies open access to God through Jesus. | The manner of reinterpretation differs: some emphasize the veil as Christ's flesh (Hebrews 10:20), others as the removal of the law's barrier, and still others as the end of the old covenant system. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This verse appears in the account of constructing the tabernacle, Israel's mobile sanctuary during the wilderness journey. The veil (Hebrew פָּרֹכֶת, parokhet) was the innermost curtain, separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place where the ark of the covenant resided (Exodus 26:31-33). It was one of two veils: this inner veil and a screen at the entrance of the tent (Exodus 26:36-37). The colors used, blue, purple, and scarlet, were expensive dyes associated with royalty and priesthood. Blue (תְּכֵלֶת, tekelet) came from a shellfish; purple (אַרְגָּמָן, argaman) from another sea creature; scarlet (שָׁנִי, shani) from the female scale insect. Fine twined linen (שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר, shesh mashzar) was a luxurious fabric. Cherubim woven into the veil echoed the guardians of Eden (Genesis 3:24) and the throne of God (Ezekiel 10). The work of a 'skillful workman' (חֹשֵׁב, choshev) indicates a master artisan, perhaps Bezalel, who was filled with the Spirit of God for this task (Exodus 35:30-35). The tabernacle prefigured the later temple in Jerusalem, where a similar veil existed until its tearing at Christ's death (Matthew 27:51). Culturally, this veil reinforced the hierarchy of access: lay Israelites could go to the outer court, priests into the Holy Place, and only the high priest beyond the veil once a year on Yom Kippur. This established a rhythm of holy distance and promised approach.
Textual Notes
The supplied commentaries and scholarly notes do not mention any significant textual variants for Exodus 36:35. The verse is consistent across the major Hebrew manuscripts and ancient versions.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been read as part of the tabernacle typology. Early church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria saw the colors and cherubim as symbols of divine wisdom and the gospel. Origen interpreted the veil as the firmament separating the material from the spiritual. In the Reformation, Calvin and Luther emphasized the veil as representing the opacity of the Old Covenant, which Christ removed. Matthew Henry (18th century) described it as signifying 'darkness and distance' compared to the New Testament. Modern evangelical teaching often uses the veil to illustrate the gospel: the barrier of sin is torn through Christ, inviting believers to approach God boldly. The verse is also cited in catechetical contexts to explain the old covenant's preparatory role for Christ.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Barrier of Holiness: The veil physically separated the people from God's immediate presence, reminding them of His utter holiness and their sinfulness (Isaiah 59:2).
- Beauty in Restriction: The rich materials and cherubim show that even the barrier was crafted with God's glory. Restriction did not mean rejection; it pointed to a future open door.
- Torn Veil: Christ's death fulfilled the symbol. The way through the veil is now His flesh (Hebrews 10:20). We enter boldly, yet still with reverence.
Five-point outline
- Materials: Blue (heavenly), purple (royalty), scarlet (sacrifice/atonement), fine linen (righteousness).
- Cherubim: Guardians of the sacred, both warning and invitation to approach only on God's terms.
- Skillful Work: God's house deserves the best; our service to Him should be excellent, not haphazard.
- Location: Set between the holy and most holy places; a reminder of progressive revelation and access.
- Fulfillment: The gospel turns a barrier into an entry point through Jesus.
Illustration hooks
- A locked door in a palace: you can only enter if someone with authority opens it. The veil was God's locked door, and Christ holds the key.
- Think of a wedding veil: it hides the bride briefly, then is lifted at the moment of union. The tabernacle veil hid God's glory until the appointed time.
- A safety barrier at a construction site: it seems restrictive but protects you. The veil protected Israel from consuming holiness (Leviticus 10:1-2).
Questions your congregation is asking
- “How does the Old Testament veil relate to my prayer life today? Do I still need to feel distant from God?”
- “Why did God put cherubim on the veil? Are they threatening or comforting?”
- “Does the torn veil mean I can approach God casually, or is there still holy awe?”
Leading a Discussion
The veil in Exodus 36:35 is a physical object that carries deep spiritual meaning. As you study this passage together, consider how the old covenant barrier prepared God's people for the new covenant access through Christ.
Discussion questions
- Read Exodus 26:31-33 and Exodus 36:35. What was the primary purpose of the veil in the tabernacle?
- The veil was made of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen with cherubim. What do these materials and images suggest about God's character?
- Why do you think the work of a 'skillful workman' is highlighted? What does this say about the quality of worship and service God desires?
- Read Matthew 27:51 and Hebrews 10:19-22. How does the New Testament transform our understanding of the veil?
- In what ways do you still feel a 'veil' between you and God, even though Christ has torn it open?
- How can the beauty of the veil remind us that coming to God is a privilege, not a right?
- What practical step can you take this week to approach God with boldness, yet with reverence?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Exodus 26:31 | “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. |
| Exodus 26:37 | You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold. You shall cast five sockets of bronze for them. |
| Exodus 30:6 | You shall put it before the veil that is by the ark of the covenant, before the mercy seat that is over the covenant, where I will meet with you. |
| Exodus 40:21 | He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Yahweh commanded Moses. |
| Matthew 27:51 | Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. |
| Hebrews 10:20 | by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh, |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke offers no new explanation here but directs readers to his earlier note on Exodus 26:31. He implies that the veil described in this verse follows the same design and meaning, making the prior discussion sufficient.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentary notes that the Hebrew term for "cunning workman" means a designer or pattern-weaver, like those who made the tabernacle veil. It also observes that this verse lists the veil and entrance screen but omits the earlier instructions for hanging the veil and positioning the ark.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
Moreouer he made a vaile of blew silke, and purple, and of skarlet, and of fine twined linen: with Cherubims of broydred worke made he it:
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB draws attention to this specific veil as the inner one, the thick curtain that divided the holy place from the most holy place. The commentators note its blue color, its embroidery of cherubim, and its unusually large and heavy construction.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights the contrast between the people's joyful, voluntary contributions for the tabernacle and their earlier idolatry with the golden calf. He sees this spontaneous generosity as the practical proof that the covenant relationship has been truly restored, marking a rare moment of wholehearted giving in Israel's history.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry sees the tabernacle's inner veil as a symbol of the distance and darkness of the old covenant compared to the clearer revelation in Christ. The door hanging, where the people gathered but could not enter, teaches that in this life we must press as close to God as we are allowed, even while longing for the full presence that heaven brings.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley sees the temple veil as picturing two kinds of distance: the lesser glory of the Old Testament compared to the New, where God's glory shines more clearly and we are invited nearer, and our present state on earth compared to heaven, where we will see the Lord face to face.