Exodus 27 12

Exodus 27:12 kjv

And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.

Exodus 27:12 nkjv

"And along the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits, with their ten pillars and their ten sockets.

Exodus 27:12 niv

"The west end of the courtyard shall be fifty cubits wide and have curtains, with ten posts and ten bases.

Exodus 27:12 esv

And for the breadth of the court on the west side there shall be hangings for fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases.

Exodus 27:12 nlt

The curtains on the west end of the courtyard will be 75 feet long, supported by ten posts set into ten bases.

Exodus 27 verses

Exodus 27 12 Meaning

Exodus 27:12 describes the specifications for the western side of the Tabernacle courtyard. It states that this side was to have hangings extending fifty cubits in length, supported by ten pillars, which in turn rested upon ten bronze sockets. This level of precise detail emphasizes the divine origin of the design and the orderly nature required for God's dwelling place and the worship conducted therein. It contributes to forming the protective, sacred perimeter of the Tabernacle's court.

Exodus 27 12 Context

Exodus 27:12 is part of a larger section (Ex 25-31) detailing the intricate instructions for building the Tabernacle, its furnishings, and the court surrounding it. Specifically, verses 9-19 of chapter 27 provide the exact dimensions, materials, and support structures for the court's outer perimeter. This followed the instructions for the Tabernacle structure itself (tent and inner furnishings). Historically, these divine directives were given to Moses on Mount Sinai shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. The Tabernacle was God's provisional dwelling place among His people in the wilderness, serving as the center of their worship and illustrating the principles of approach to a holy God. The precision in these instructions underscores the uniqueness of Israel's monotheistic faith, distinct from pagan religions which often involved arbitrary or human-devised worship practices. The very design of the court, including its western side, formed a holy barrier, safeguarding the sanctity of God's presence from human defilement and reflecting the order and holiness of God Himself.

Exodus 27 12 Word analysis

• The west side: (יָמָּה, yamah). Literally means "to the sea," referring to the Mediterranean Sea which was west of Israel. For the original audience, this specified a clear geographic orientation. Spiritually, "west" could also relate to the rear or back, as the Tabernacle entrance always faced east (qēḏem, 'front' or 'east'), placing the Ark and the holiest part towards the west (yamah, 'back' or 'west'). This precise orientation of the structure points to divine intentionality in direction and access.
• also shall have hangings: (וְקְלָעִים, veqela'im). The Hebrew word refers to woven hangings, implying fine linen as specified earlier for the court hangings. These hangings acted as a visible barrier, delineating the sacred space of the Tabernacle court from the common camp area. Their purpose was both physical enclosure and symbolic separation, underscoring the holiness within and marking distinct access.
• of fifty cubits: (חֲמִשִּׁים אַמָּה, chamishshim 'ammah). A cubit (אמה, ammah) was an ancient unit of length, approximately the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18-21 inches. Fifty cubits therefore represents a considerable length (around 75-87.5 feet), creating a substantial wall of enclosure. This exact numerical measurement conveys the divine precision required in God's worship, indicating meticulous order and purposeful design rather than arbitrary construction.
• their pillars: (עַמֻּדָיו, ammudav). These were the vertical supports, made of bronze-covered acacia wood (as derived from general Tabernacle context, Ex 27:10). Pillars are foundational to stability. Spiritually, they symbolize support, strength, and the steadfastness of God's revealed will.
• ten: This specific number indicates precision in support. The uniform number of pillars per standard length segment (implied by this verse and the next in contrast to the gates) ensures structural integrity and visual harmony according to the divine pattern.
• and their sockets: (וְאַדְנֵיהֶם, ve'adnëhem). These were the heavy, bronze bases into which the pillars were set. The sockets anchored the pillars, providing stability from the ground up. Bronze (nehoshet) is frequently associated with judgment and the earthly realm in the Tabernacle's symbolism, given that the outer court and its elements were for the general populace seeking atonement.
• ten: This number directly corresponds to the number of pillars, ensuring each pillar had its foundational support. The pairing of pillar and socket highlights stability and divine order in the smallest details of the Tabernacle's structure.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "The west side also shall have hangings of fifty cubits": This phrase establishes the specific dimensions and orientation for the western boundary of the court. The "west side" (yamah) often signifies the end or back, as the tabernacle entry faced east. The "fifty cubits" emphasizes precise, divine measurement, showing God as a God of order who meticulously designs sacred space, ensuring uniformity and completeness with the corresponding east side. The hangings signify the visible, physical barrier, establishing separation and sanctity.
  • "their pillars ten, and their sockets ten": This specifies the supporting infrastructure for the western hangings. The pillars, primarily bronze-covered wood, provide the vertical support, upholding the sacred boundary. The "ten" count for both pillars and their sockets demonstrates a meticulous alignment, where every support has its solid bronze base. Bronze, an earthly metal in this context, suggests strength and perhaps the foundation upon which purification and atonement are accessed in the court. The complete count of pillars and sockets illustrates that no detail was left to human discretion, every element reflecting God's perfect plan.

Exodus 27 12 Bonus section

The design of the Tabernacle court, with its specific dimensions on each side (100 cubits for north and south, 50 cubits for west, and a total of 50 cubits for the segmented east side), formed a precise rectangle, always entered from the east. This structural integrity, from the weight-bearing bronze sockets for the pillars to the height of the linen hangings (likely around 7.5 feet, from Ex 27:18), ensured a visual and physical separation, protecting the sanctity of the Tabernacle from unholy intrusion. The westward orientation here would mean facing away from the camp entrance, toward the sacred precincts. This meticulous detail demonstrates not only the practical needs of constructing a mobile sanctuary but also carries theological significance: God is a God of order, precision, and holiness, and His worship requires conformity to His divine revealed will, not human invention.

Exodus 27 12 Commentary

Exodus 27:12 delineates a critical part of the Tabernacle court's boundary: the western wall. This instruction, like all others for the Tabernacle, is marked by divine precision and specific measurements (fifty cubits) and enumerated supports (ten pillars and ten sockets). The hangings provided a sacred barrier, distinguishing God's holy dwelling from the common areas of the Israelite camp. The pillars and their sockets underscore stability and foundational support. The material of the sockets, bronze, common for the court, hints at earthly judgment and the means of atonement accessible to the people in the outer court, whereas silver and gold were reserved for the Tabernacle's holier components. The deliberate mention of the west side ("towards the sea," "rear") contributes to a divinely ordered physical layout, echoing a consistent structure oriented towards the east. The overall purpose of this detail, within the grand scheme of the Tabernacle, was to create an orderly, set-apart space where God could rightfully dwell among His people, reinforcing His holiness, accessibility through prescribed means, and meticulous design for worship. These physical elements foreshadowed the spiritual truths of Christ as the foundation and the church as His dwelling.