Unpacking Exodus 26:31: Veil of Holiness

Context of the Tabernacle Veil

Now that we've seen the main message of Exodus 26:31, let's look at where this command fits in the bigger picture of God's instructions for the Tabernacle.

These laws come right after God gives Moses the blueprint for the Tabernacle, a portable worship space the Israelites built in the wilderness. The veil was to hang between the Holy Place, where priests did daily work, and the Most Holy Place, where God's presence lived above the ark of the covenant. Exodus 26:33 makes this clear: 'And you shall hang up the veil under the hooks, that you may bring in there within the veil the ark of the testimony. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy.'

This setup shows how seriously God takes holiness - only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once a year, with blood for sin. It taught the people that coming into God's presence wasn't casual. It required reverence, obedience, and a way to deal with sin.

Symbolism of the Veil's Design and Craftsmanship

Now that we've seen the veil's role in the Tabernacle, we can dig deeper into what its materials, colors, and designs reveal about God’s holiness and how He invites us near.

The blue, purple, and scarlet yarns each carried symbolic weight. Blue reminded the people of the sky and God’s throne above, like in Exodus 24:10 where the elders saw 'under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness.' Purple, a rare and costly dye, stood for royalty and majesty, showing that God is the King of Israel. Scarlet, a vivid red, often symbolized life and blood, pointing to sacrifice and atonement. Fine twisted linen, pure and white, represented holiness and moral purity - only clean linen could enter God’s presence.

The cherubim woven into the veil were not mere decoration. These angelic beings guarded God’s holiness, like in Genesis 3:24 where cherubim with a flaming sword kept Adam and Eve from reenter Eden after sin. Here in Exodus 26:31, they were skillfully worked into the veil, reminding everyone that God is holy and His presence is protected. Yet now, instead of blocking the way permanently, the veil with cherubim stood as a sign that access was possible - but only God’s way, through the appointed priest and sacrifice.

This level of detail in craftsmanship - 'skillfully worked' - shows that worship matters to God in both heart and action. The artisans weren’t improvising. They followed God’s exact pattern, reflecting reverence and order. This contrasts with surrounding nations, where temples often featured chaotic myths or idols. Israel’s Tabernacle pointed to a personal, holy God who gave clear instructions.

The colors and cherubim weren't just beautiful - they pointed to who God is and how He meets us.

So the veil taught that approaching God required both beauty and obedience, symbol and sacrifice. And centuries later, this would take on new meaning when Jesus died and 'the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom' (Matthew 27:51), showing that through Him, the way to God is now open to all.

The Veil Torn Open: How Jesus Fulfills the Law

This veil, once a barrier pointing to God’s holiness, was torn in two when Jesus died, showing that He opened the way to God for everyone.

Matthew 27:51 says, 'And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom,' showing that Jesus’ death removed the separation between us and God. The author of Hebrews confirms this, saying we now 'have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh' (Hebrews 10:19-20).

The Torn Veil and Our Confidence Today

The veil described in Exodus 26:31 stood for centuries as a barrier, but when Jesus died, Matthew 27:51 records the moment it was torn in two from top to bottom - God’s own act opening the way.

This wasn’t a dramatic sign. It meant that the separation caused by sin was finally removed. Now, Hebrews 10:19-20 says we can enter God’s presence with confidence, not because of a priest or sacrifice we offer, but because of Jesus’ flesh torn like the veil - our new and living way.

The veil was torn not just to show God’s power, but to invite us near.

So the old law about a woven curtain now points us to a daily reality: we can come honestly into God’s presence, not at a distance, but with open hearts - because the barrier has been taken down by grace.

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