King James Version

What Does Exodus 26:31 Mean?

“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:”

Context

And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars: and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.

And thou shalt rear up the tabernacle according to the fashion thereof which was shewed thee in the mount.

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 hang it upon four pillars of shittim wood overlaid with gold: their hooks shall be of gold, upon the four sockets of silver.

And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy place and the most holy.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

5. THE VAIL, AND THE POSITION WHICH IT WAS TO OCCUPY. (31) **Thou shalt make a vail.**—It was of the essence of the *mishkân *that it should have an outer and an inner sanctuary, a place for the daily ministrations of the priests, and an *adytum *or *penetrale *of extreme holiness, in which was to be the Divine Presence, and into which the high priest alone was to be privileged to enter, and he but once in the year. (See Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:2-34; Hebrews 9:7.) The separation between these two chambers was to be made by a vail of the same materials and workmanship as the inner covering of the *mishkân *(Exodus 26:1).

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 26:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.