Exodus 26:36Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Tabernacle contained three curtains made of fine linen and scarlet thread, including one placed before the Holy of Holies, another at the entrance of the Tabernacle, and a third at the gate of the outer court, which symbolize Immanuel. These middle curtains reflect the vision of God's glory, as our Lord proclaimed Himself to be the door (John 10:7), serving as a gateway for the righteous.

The front veil that distinguished the Tabernacle from its surrounding court was as luxurious as the inner veil and the covering of the Tabernacle itself. The main distinction between the two was the absence of cherubim on the outer veil, which is described as being ‘patterned,’ likely suggesting that it was intricately woven or embroidered, as translated in the English Bible. Father Gerlach observes that an individual outside the Tabernacle could not witness the cherubim, and only those who entered could view their representations on both the veil and the upper portion. This underscores the profound significance of these symbols, representing the spiritual realm that a worldly person can only access through faith when entering into the sacred space.