Meaning of Exodus 36:35

Exodus 36:35 describes the intricate craftsmanship of the curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place within the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary of God for the Israelites. This curtain, also known as the veil, was not merely a decorative element but a functional and symbolic barrier, emphasizing the holiness of God and the mediated access His people had to Him. The specific materials – blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, along with finely twisted linen – all carried symbolic weight, and the inclusion of cherubim, woven by a skilled worker, underscored the divine presence and the heavenly realm that the Most Holy Place represented.

Context and Background

This verse is found in the latter half of the Book of Exodus, specifically in the section detailing the construction of the Tabernacle. Following God's detailed instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31), the Israelites, under the leadership of Bezalel and Oholiab, who were divinely appointed as skilled craftsmen, undertook the meticulous work of building the sanctuary. Exodus 36:35 is part of the narrative of the completion of these furnishings and coverings, indicating the faithful execution of God's design. The curtain was the final layer of separation, the most sacred boundary within the entire structure.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Holiness and Separation: The curtain's primary function was to separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, where the Ark of the Covenant and God's manifest presence resided. This separation powerfully illustrates God's absolute holiness and the immense chasm between Him and sinful humanity.
• Skilled Craftsmanship as Worship: The verse highlights that the curtain was made by a "skilled worker," emphasizing that the Israelites dedicated their best talents and abilities to God's service. This artistry was an act of worship, a tangible offering of their skills to honor the divine.
• Symbolism of Materials: The colors themselves are significant:
  • Blue: Often associated with the heavens, royalty, and divine authority.
  • Purple: Historically a costly dye, representing royalty, power, and wealth.
  • Scarlet: Linked to life, blood, and sacrifice.
  • Finely twisted linen: Represents purity and righteousness. The combination suggests the divine, royal, and sacrificial nature of God's presence and plan.
• Cherubim as Guardians of the Divine: The woven cherubim are not merely decorative but represent celestial beings associated with God's presence, glory, and protection. Their presence on the veil signifies that the Most Holy Place is the very throne room of God.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The curtain serves as a profound theological statement about access to God. Before the New Covenant, access to God's immediate presence was restricted to the High Priest, who could enter the Most Holy Place only once a year on the Day of Atonement. The curtain symbolized this barrier, a constant reminder of humanity's sinfulness and inability to approach God directly. The intricate design and costly materials spoke of the immense value and sacredness of God's presence, but also the limitations placed on access due to sin.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This curtain is a crucial foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and the New Covenant. The New Testament explicitly connects the tearing of the Temple veil at the moment of Jesus' death (Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45) to the opening of a new and living way into God's presence through Christ. Hebrews 10:19-22 explains that through Jesus' sacrifice, believers now have direct access to God, "by the new and living way that he has opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh." The curtain, therefore, represents the barrier that Jesus' death and resurrection removed.

Analogies

One could compare the curtain to a highly secured vault door that only a select few, with specific credentials and rituals, could open. The cherubim are like intricate security systems or guards stationed at the entrance, signifying the sacredness and the guarded nature of what lies beyond. The tearing of the curtain at Jesus' death is akin to that vault door being miraculously and permanently broken open, allowing anyone with faith in the Redeemer to enter freely.

Relation to Other Verses

• Exodus 26:31-34: This passage provides the specific instructions for the curtain, detailing its placement and function within the Tabernacle.
• Leviticus 16:2, 12-16: This chapter describes the Day of Atonement, when the High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place behind the curtain, bearing blood for the atonement of sins.
• Hebrews 9:3-7: This New Testament passage recounts the structure of the Tabernacle and the veil, setting the stage for its theological interpretation.
• Hebrews 10:19-22: As mentioned, this is the most direct New Testament connection, explaining how Christ's sacrifice has opened a new way into God's presence.
• Ezekiel 10:1-22 (and Revelation 4:6-8): These passages describe cherubim in relation to God's glory and throne, reinforcing their symbolic meaning in Exodus 36:35.