Exodus 38:11 kjv
And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
Exodus 38:11 nkjv
On the north side the hangings were one hundred cubits long, with twenty pillars and their twenty bronze sockets. The hooks of the pillars and their bands were silver.
Exodus 38:11 niv
The north side was also a hundred cubits long and had twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, with silver hooks and bands on the posts.
Exodus 38:11 esv
And for the north side there were hangings of a hundred cubits; their twenty pillars and their twenty bases were of bronze, but the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver.
Exodus 38:11 nlt
He made a similar set of curtains for the north side ? 150 feet of curtains held up by twenty posts set securely in bronze bases. He hung the curtains with silver hooks and rings.
Exodus 38 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 27:9 | "You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side... | Court dimensions parallel |
| Ex 27:11 | "Likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits..." | Earlier instruction for this verse |
| Ex 30:16 | "...and you shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting..." | Silver redemption money for tabernacle service |
| Ex 38:9 | "And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen..." | Beginning of courtyard construction detail |
| Ex 38:10 | "Their pillars were twenty, and their brasen sockets twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver." | South side symmetry, identical description |
| Ex 38:12 | "And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver." | West side (shorter) detailed |
| Ex 38:17 | "And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their capitols of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver." | General material confirmation for courtyard |
| Num 3:49 | "And Moses took the redemption money..." | Silver linked to redemption, temple services |
| Num 4:32 | "...and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments..." | Mention of court pins and cords |
| Num 7:10 | "And the princes offered for dedicating of the altar..." | Offerings for the tabernacle, materials |
| Lev 1:9 | "...the priest shall burn all on the altar, as a burnt offering..." | Brass altar for offerings |
| 2 Sam 22:35 | "He teaches my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms." | Brass (copper/bronze) for strength/weapons |
| 1 Ki 7:47 | "And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many..." | Abundance of brass for Temple |
| Psa 150:5 | "Praise him with the loud cymbals; praise him with the high sounding cymbals." | Instruments of brass in worship |
| Heb 8:5 | "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God..." | Tabernacle as a shadow of heavenly things |
| Heb 9:1 | "Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary." | Tabernacle as an earthly sanctuary |
| Heb 9:9 | "...which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices..." | Tabernacle as a symbol |
| Col 2:17 | "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ." | Old Testament structures point to Christ |
| Eph 2:21 | "In whom the whole building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord..." | Believers as building blocks for a spiritual temple |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house..." | Believers as a spiritual house/priesthood |
| Rev 1:15 | "And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace..." | Brass symbolizing divine judgment/purity in Revelation |
| Rev 2:18 | "And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;" | Brass feet of Christ symbolizing firm foundation, judgment |
Exodus 38 verses
Exodus 38 11 Meaning
Exodus 38:11 describes the construction and materials used for the north side of the courtyard of the Tabernacle. It details the precise length of the hangings, the number of supporting pillars, and the materials for their bases (brass), hooks, and fillets (silver). This verse emphasizes the meticulous divine blueprint for the sacred dwelling place, highlighting God's orderliness and the specific separation of the holy from the common. It reveals the consistent dimensions and material choices that characterized the outer court, reflecting the Lord's instruction for His sanctuary among His people.
Exodus 38 11 Context
Exodus chapter 38 details the actual construction of the Tabernacle and its courtyard according to the precise instructions previously given in Exodus chapters 25-27. Having already described the making of the brazen altar and the laver (vv. 1-8), the focus shifts to the court of the Tabernacle (vv. 9-20). This specific verse, Exodus 38:11, is part of a series that describes the perimeter walls of the courtyard, including the north, south, west, and east sides, providing the exact dimensions, number of pillars, and materials used. This meticulous documentation underscores the complete and obedient fulfillment of God's architectural blueprint by Bezalel, Oholiab, and all the skilled artisans, emphasizing the sanctity and specific design required for the divine dwelling.
Exodus 38 11 Word analysis
- And for the north side (וְלִצְפֹ֣ונָה - vəliṣpōwnâ): This phrase indicates direction, specifying the side of the courtyard being described. The meticulous nature of divine instructions required specifying each boundary. The use of "north side" here creates symmetry and balance with the description of the south side (Ex 38:9-10), indicating that God's design encompassed every aspect of His dwelling.
- hangings (קְלָעִ֛ים - qəlāʿîm): Refers to the finely woven linen curtains that formed the walls of the Tabernacle court. These hangings served as a physical barrier, visually separating the sacred space of the Tabernacle from the surrounding common ground, signifying the holiness of God and the need for reverent approach. They symbolize a necessary separation, both physical and spiritual.
- a hundred cubits: Approximately 150 feet or 45 meters, signifying the significant length of the sacred enclosure on both the north and south sides. This large scale communicated the grandeur and importance of God's presence among His people, making the Tabernacle court a prominent structure in the wilderness camp.
- their pillars twenty: The number twenty (כְּעֶשְׂרִ֑ים - kəʿeśrîm) refers to the upright posts supporting the linen hangings. These pillars provided the necessary structural integrity for the long walls of the courtyard. The symmetry in number with the south side emphasizes divine order and stability.
- and their bases twenty (וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֣ם עֶשְׂרִ֔ים - vəʾadnêhem ʿeśrîm): The bases (אֶדֶן - ʾeden) are the foundational sockets into which the pillars were set. Each pillar had its own base, providing stability and elevation from the ground. Their connection to the earth below highlights the physicality of the sanctuary, yet their purpose elevates the sacred structure above the ordinary.
- of brass (נְחֹ֑שֶׁת - nəḥōšeṯ): Brass (often translated as copper or bronze) was the material for the bases. In the Tabernacle, brass is prominently used for items related to judgment and atonement, such as the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Laver (Ex 38:1-8). Here, for the bases, it signifies the solid and enduring foundation for the courtyard, connecting the earthly base with the idea of bearing judgment, suggesting that only through God's prescribed means of atonement could one approach His presence.
- the hooks of the pillars (וָוֵיהֶ֣ם - wāwêhem): These hooks were attached to the pillars, from which the curtains (hangings) were suspended. They provided the practical means of securing the linen fabric, ensuring the continuous enclosure of the court.
- and their fillets (וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶֽם - wachaššuqehem): Fillets (חֲשׁוּקִים - hashuqim) refer to the bands or connecting rods that linked the tops of the pillars horizontally. These probably provided additional stability to the entire structure and facilitated the hanging of the curtains consistently.
- of silver (כָֽסֶף - kāsep̄): Silver was the material for the hooks and fillets. In the Tabernacle, silver often symbolizes redemption, deriving from the redemption money (half-shekel) paid by every Israelite (Ex 30:11-16; Num 3:47-48) to support the Tabernacle's construction and service. Using silver for the connecting parts (hooks and fillets) that bound the Tabernacle's outer structure together may symbolize that the Tabernacle's accessibility and its unified form are founded on the principle of redemption.
Exodus 38 11 Bonus section
The repeated, near-verbatim descriptions of the north and south sides (Ex 38:9-11) serve not just as documentation, but also as a powerful reinforcement of the divine standard and the unwavering commitment to faithfully reproduce every aspect of God's instruction. This detailed enumeration emphasizes that even the seemingly minor components were integral to the whole, each playing its part in defining the sacred boundary. This attention to detail reflects God's own character—a God of order, precision, and holiness, who expects faithful obedience in establishing His presence. This also distinguishes the Tabernacle from any human-devised worship space; its authority came from its exact divine origin, contrasting with the often arbitrary or syncretic religious practices of surrounding cultures. The precise and unvaried execution also showcased the exceptional skill given by God to Bezalel and Oholiab, allowing them to fulfill His detailed requirements perfectly.
Exodus 38 11 Commentary
Exodus 38:11 offers a specific detail in the extensive description of the Tabernacle courtyard, yet it carries profound theological weight. The emphasis on precise dimensions (hundred cubits) and specific materials (brass bases, silver hooks and fillets) underscores the divine meticulousness in revealing the blueprint for God's dwelling place among His people. The north side's exact mirroring of the south (Ex 38:9-10) reinforces the perfect symmetry and order that characterized the sacred space.
The choice of brass for the bases is significant. Brass is linked to the earthly realm and frequently symbolizes judgment or the ability to withstand divine judgment (e.g., the brazen serpent, Num 21:9; feet like fine brass of Christ, Rev 1:15). Its use at the very foundation of the courtyard pillars suggests that the entire outer sanctuary, representing the common ground where Israel interacted with the sacred, stood upon a basis related to divine judgment or enduring strength needed to approach God. Conversely, silver for the hooks and fillets is closely associated with redemption (from the atonement money, Ex 30:11-16). These silver elements connect the individual pillars, unifying the structure. This may imply that entry into and maintenance of fellowship within God's sacred space is predicated on redemption, reminding the Israelites that access to God's presence, even to the outer court, was not by merit but by divine provision for atonement. The Tabernacle, as depicted here, points beyond its physical structure to a spiritual reality, where every detail, from the grand dimensions to the smallest connector, spoke of God's character and His prescribed way for humanity to approach Him. It taught a lesson of divine order, human obedience, and the foundational necessity of redemption and judgment for fellowship with a Holy God.