Exodus 36:8
And every wise hearted man among them that wrought the work of the tabernacle made ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work made he them.
Original Language Analysis
עָשָׂ֥ה
among them that wrought
H6213
עָשָׂ֥ה
among them that wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לֵ֜ב
hearted man
H3820
לֵ֜ב
hearted man
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 21
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
עָשָׂ֥ה
among them that wrought
H6213
עָשָׂ֥ה
among them that wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
5 of 21
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַמְּלָאכָ֛ה
the work
H4399
הַמְּלָאכָ֛ה
the work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
6 of 21
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
8 of 21
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
שֵׁ֣שׁ
linen
H8336
שֵׁ֣שׁ
linen
Strong's:
H8336
Word #:
11 of 21
bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble
וּתְכֵ֤לֶת
and blue
H8504
וּתְכֵ֤לֶת
and blue
Strong's:
H8504
Word #:
13 of 21
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
וְתוֹלַ֣עַת
H8438
וְתוֹלַ֣עַת
Strong's:
H8438
Word #:
15 of 21
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
שָׁנִ֔י
and scarlet
H8144
שָׁנִ֔י
and scarlet
Strong's:
H8144
Word #:
16 of 21
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
work
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
work
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
18 of 21
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
חֹשֵׁ֖ב
of cunning
H2803
חֹשֵׁ֖ב
of cunning
Strong's:
H2803
Word #:
19 of 21
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
Historical Context
These ten curtains, each approximately 42' × 6', joined to form the tabernacle's ceiling and walls. The fine linen represented purity, while blue (heaven), purple (royalty), and scarlet (sacrifice) woven with gold thread (divinity) created a magnificent display visible only to priests—teaching that God values hidden excellence.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the creation of beautiful curtains seen only by priests teach about working for God's eyes rather than human applause?
- How do the cherubim embroidered on the inner curtains connect Eden's closed entrance to the tabernacle's mediated access?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The actual tabernacle construction begins with 'every wise hearted man' making ten curtains of fine twined linen (שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר, shesh mashzar) and colored threads. These innermost curtains, visible only to ministering priests, featured cherubim embroidered with 'cunning work' (מַעֲשֵׂה חֹשֵׁב, ma'aseh choshev—'designer's work')—artistic excellence dedicated to God though rarely seen. This teaches that God deserves our finest work regardless of human visibility; we work for Him, not for applause. The cherubim design recalls Eden's guarded entrance (Genesis 3:24), now opened through the sacrificial system.