Exodus 26:31-33

26:31 “You are to make a special curtain ¹  of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and fine twisted linen; it is to be made ²  with cherubim, the work of an artistic designer. 26:32 You are to hang it ³  with gold hooks ⁴  on four posts of acacia wood overlaid with gold, set in ⁵  four silver bases. 26:33 You are to hang this curtain under the clasps and bring the ark of the testimony in there behind the curtain. ⁶  The curtain will make a division for you between the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. ⁷ 

Exodus 40:3

40:3 You are to place the ark of the testimony in it and shield the ark with the special curtain.

[26:31]  ¹ tn Although translated “curtain” (traditionally “veil,” so ASV, NAB, NASB) this is a different word from the one used earlier of the tent curtains, so “special curtain” is used. The word פָרֹכֶת (farokhet) seems to be connected with a verb that means “to shut off” and was used with a shrine. This curtain would form a barrier in the approach to God (see S. R. Driver, Exodus, 289).

[26:31]  ² tn The verb is the third masculine singular form, but no subject is expressed. It could be translated “one will make” or as a passive. The verb means “to make,” but probably has the sense of embroidering both here and in v. 1.

[26:32]  ³ tn Heb “put it.”

[26:32]  ⁴ tn This clause simply says “and their hooks gold,” but is taken as a circumstantial clause telling how the veil will be hung.

[26:32]  ⁵ tn Heb “on four silver bases.”

[26:33]  ⁶ tn The traditional expression is “within the veil,” literally “into the house (or area) of the (special) curtain.”

[26:33]  ⁷ tn Or “the Holy of Holies.”