King James Version

What Does Exodus 36:35 Mean?

Exodus 36:35 in the King James Version says “And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work. — study this verse from Exodus chapter 36 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.

Exodus 36:35 · KJV


Context

33

And he made the middle bar to shoot through the boards from the one end to the other.

34

And he overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold to be places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35

And he made a vail of blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine twined linen: with cherubims made he it of cunning work.

36

And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.

37

And he made an hanging for the tabernacle door of blue, and purple, and scarlet , and fine twined linen, of needlework ; of needlework: Heb. the work of a needleworker or, embroiderer


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Making rings of gold (טַבְּעֹת זָהָב, tabba'ot zahav) as places for bars demonstrates that even connection points must reflect divine glory. The rings, though functional hardware, were made precious through gold—teaching that every aspect of God's house, even practical necessities, should reflect His excellence. In the body of Christ, even seemingly mundane functions (administration, helps, etc.) are gifts from God deserving golden excellence (1 Corinthians 12:28).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The gold rings were likely cast or forged, then attached to the boards at regular intervals to hold the bars. Making these functional items from gold rather than brass or iron emphasized that everything in God's dwelling reflected His preciousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does making even functional hardware (rings) from gold teach about excellence in all aspects of serving God?
  2. How does the gold rings' dual nature (functional and precious) challenge false dichotomies between practical service and spiritual worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
עָשָׂ֥ה1 of 14

And he made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת2 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַפָּרֹ֔כֶת3 of 14

a vail

H6532

a separatrix, i.e., (the sacred) screen

תְּכֵ֧לֶת4 of 14

of blue

H8504

the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith

וְאַרְגָּמָ֛ן5 of 14

and purple

H713

purple (the color or the dyed stuff)

וְתוֹלַ֥עַת6 of 14
H8438

a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl

שָׁנִ֖י7 of 14

and scarlet

H8144

crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it

וְשֵׁ֣שׁ8 of 14

linen

H8336

bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble

מָשְׁזָ֑ר9 of 14

and fine twined

H7806

to twist (a thread of straw)

מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה10 of 14

work

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

חֹשֵׁ֛ב11 of 14

he it of cunning

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

עָשָׂ֥ה12 of 14

And he made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֹתָ֖הּ13 of 14
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כְּרֻבִֽים׃14 of 14

with cherubims

H3742

a cherub or imaginary figure


Study Guide

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 36:35 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Exodus 36:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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