Exodus 38 13

Exodus 38:13 kjv

And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.

Exodus 38:13 nkjv

For the east side the hangings were fifty cubits.

Exodus 38:13 niv

The east end, toward the sunrise, was also fifty cubits wide.

Exodus 38:13 esv

And for the front to the east, fifty cubits.

Exodus 38:13 nlt

The east end, the front, was also 75 feet long.

Exodus 38 verses

Exodus 38 13 Meaning

Exodus 38:13 details the specifications for the west side of the Tabernacle's outer court. It describes this side as being one hundred cubits in length, supported by ten pillars, each with its own socket. Furthermore, it specifies that the hooks attached to these pillars and the connecting rods (fillets) between them were made of silver. This verse is part of the extensive record documenting the actual construction of the Tabernacle according to the precise divine instructions previously given to Moses.

Exodus 38 13 Context

Exodus 38 falls within the larger section of Exodus (chapters 25-40) dedicated to the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. While chapters 25-31 detail the divine instructions given to Moses, chapters 36-39 recount the precise execution of those instructions by Bezalel, Oholiab, and other skilled craftsmen. Chapter 38 specifically describes the construction of the outer court of the Tabernacle. This included the surrounding fence, its dimensions, and the materials used for its various components—pillars, sockets, hooks, and fillets. The context highlights God's demand for meticulous obedience to His divine blueprint, emphasizing the sanctity and ordered nature of His dwelling place among His people in the wilderness.

Exodus 38 13 Word analysis

• And for the west side: The Hebrew word for "west" is מַעְרָבָה (maʿarāvâ), meaning "place of setting," referring to where the sun sets. In the Tabernacle's design, the west was typically the rear, farthest from the entrance (which faced east) and generally away from the camp's primary direction of movement. This position suggests a boundary and protective enclosure for the Holy of Holies.

• a hundred cubits: (מֵאָה בָּאַמָּה - mē'â bāʾammâ). A cubit (אַמָּה - ʾammâ) was a measurement based on the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximately 18 inches or 45-50 centimeters. Therefore, 100 cubits would be about 150 feet or 45-50 meters. This specific and uniform measurement across the long sides of the court (North and South also 100 cubits) underscores the precise divine order and detailed planning.

• throughout its length: Emphasizes the entire extent of the boundary on this side.

• with their pillars ten: (עַמּוּדֶיהָ - ʿammûdeyhā). Pillars were upright supports. The number "ten" is significant in biblical numerology, often symbolizing completeness, divine order, or the sum of human responsibility (e.g., Ten Commandments). Here, ten pillars evenly spaced provided support for the court's hangings along the entire western boundary.

• and their sockets ten: (אַדְנֵיהֶם - ʾadnêhem). Sockets refer to the bases or pedestals into which the pillars were set, providing stability and foundational support. While this verse does not explicitly state the material for the sockets, other verses (Exod 38:10, 11, and specifically 38:17) indicate that the sockets for the courtyard pillars were made of bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת - nəḥōšeṯ). The omission of material here is consistent with a list-like summary, relying on the overall pattern and specific material lists provided elsewhere.

• the hooks of the pillars: (וָוֵיהֶם - wāwêhem). These were V-shaped clasps or fasteners. Their purpose was to hold the top edge of the linen hangings in place along the pillars.

• and their fillets of silver: (חִשֻּׁקֵיהֶם - ḥiŝšūqêhem; כָּסֶף - kāsep̄). "Fillets" likely refer to connecting rods or bands, often envisioned as horizontal connecting bars or silver bands that adorned or joined the pillars at their top. Their primary function was to add stability to the entire framework and provide a secure attachment point for the linen curtains, creating a uniform enclosure.

  • Silver (כָּסֶף - kāsep̄): This precious metal holds significant symbolic value in the Bible. It was frequently associated with redemption, atonement, or payment (e.g., the half-shekel temple tax in Exod 30:13-16, used to make the sockets for the Tabernacle court pillars in Exod 38:27-28, implying bronze sockets but silver for redemption fund). Its use here for the hooks and fillets suggests purity, value, and perhaps a subtle link to the means of access or establishment of the holy space, alluding to divine provision and purification required for approach.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "And for the west side, a hundred cubits throughout its length": This phrase establishes the specific dimensions of the back, or western, boundary of the courtyard. The detailed measurement signifies God's precise architectural blueprint, emphasizing divine order and boundaries in His sacred dwelling.
  • "with their pillars ten, and their sockets ten": This specifies the structural support for the linen enclosure. The presence of ten pillars and their corresponding ten sockets reflects a perfect numerical alignment, indicating structural integrity and orderly arrangement according to God's exact design for His sacred space.
  • "the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver": This highlights the material used for critical connecting components. The choice of silver, associated with redemption and purity, emphasizes the preciousness and sanctity of the entire structure. The hooks and fillets played vital roles in suspending and connecting the courtyard curtains, forming the protective barrier that delineated holy ground from common ground.

Exodus 38 13 Bonus section

• Balance in Design: The western side, at 100 cubits, mirrored the northern and southern sides, establishing the outer court as a large rectangle (100x50 cubits). This symmetry and repetition in design elements, such as the consistent number of pillars on matching sides, highlight divine design and aesthetic.
• "Back" of the Tabernacle: The west side formed the back of the courtyard relative to the east-facing entrance. While the main interaction and access happened through the eastern gate, the integrity and completeness of all sides were essential for enclosing the sacred space fully, protecting it and setting it apart.
• The Number 10: The ten pillars on the west (and east, though subdivided by the gate) provide a numerological parallel to other significant tens in the Bible, such as the Ten Commandments, often seen as representing a complete unit of divine instruction or divine perfection and order.
• Functionality of Fillets: Beyond structural integrity, the fillets running between the pillars also provided a uniform visual line, contributing to the Tabernacle court's majestic and orderly appearance as a dwelling place fitting for God.
• Contrast of Materials: While the court's outer components featured silver and bronze, the inner Tabernacle's most sacred parts featured gold, reinforcing the ascending scale of holiness from the outer court to the Holy of Holies. This material differentiation underscores degrees of divine presence and access.

Exodus 38 13 Commentary

Exodus 38:13 provides a concise, technical description of the Tabernacle court's western perimeter, underscoring the consistent precision found throughout the construction narrative. The divine blueprint ensured that every aspect, from the largest dimension to the smallest fastener, adhered to a divinely ordained plan. The 100-cubit length for the west side, matching the north and south, contributed to the sacred enclosure's balanced and spacious rectangular shape, which would contain the Tabernacle itself.

The use of "ten pillars and their ten sockets" speaks to structural integrity and divine order. Each pillar, anchored by its socket, served as a point of stability. While the material for the sockets is not specified in this verse, the broader context of Exodus 38 and related chapters clarifies they were of bronze (e.g., Exod 38:17). This subtle detail is important: bronze for foundational elements (representing earthly strength, sometimes judgment) while more precious metals like silver and gold were used for items associated with holiness, atonement, or beauty.

The specification of "silver" for the hooks and fillets carries significant theological weight. Silver often appears in the Bible in contexts of redemption, purity, and the payment of a price (e.g., the half-shekel temple tax, which was gathered and used for the sockets, hooks, and other silver elements for the court—Exod 30:13-16; 38:27-28). The hooks served to fasten the curtains, and the fillets connected the pillars, physically integrating the silver's symbolism into the very fabric of the sacred boundary. This suggests that the demarcation of God's holy space, and indeed access to it, was inextricably linked with the concept of redemption or purification.

The careful enumeration of these components stresses the meticulous attention to detail required in constructing God's dwelling place. This was not a general directive but a precise blueprint for establishing a portable sanctuary where a holy God would dwell amidst a sinful people. The ordered, segregated nature of the court, detailed piece by piece, teaches us about God's nature: His holiness, His desire for order, and His provision of a means for His people to approach Him—a means always involving atonement and sanctification. The Tabernacle, and its very architecture, was a foreshadowing of Christ's perfect redemptive work, through whom true access to God is gained.