Exodus 38:14 kjv
The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Exodus 38:14 nkjv
The hangings of one side of the gate were fifteen cubits long, with their three pillars and their three sockets,
Exodus 38:14 niv
Curtains fifteen cubits long were on one side of the entrance, with three posts and three bases,
Exodus 38:14 esv
The hangings for one side of the gate were fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and three bases.
Exodus 38:14 nlt
The courtyard entrance was on the east end, flanked by two curtains. The curtain on the right side was 22 1?2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases.
Exodus 38 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 27:14 | "And there shall be fifteen cubits of hangings for the other side, with their three pillars and their three bases." | Original instruction for this gate section. |
| Ex 27:9-19 | Detailed specifications for the court of the Tabernacle. | Context of the court's design. |
| Ex 36:8 | "All the skilled workmen among those who were doing the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen..." | Emphasis on skilled craftsmanship for God's dwelling. |
| Ex 40:33 | "So Moses finished the work." | Fulfillment of divine commands. |
| Lev 10:10 | "You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean." | The boundary created by the Tabernacle structure. |
| Heb 8:5 | "They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things..." | Tabernacle as a shadow of heavenly realities. |
| Heb 9:8 | "the Holy Spirit indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest while the first tabernacle was still standing." | Tabernacle's limitations, pointing to Christ. |
| Heb 10:20 | "...by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh." | Open access to God through Christ's torn body. |
| Jn 10:7 | "I am the door of the sheep." | Christ as the sole entrance. |
| Jn 10:9 | "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved..." | Christ provides salvation and access. |
| Jn 14:6 | "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." | Christ is the only means of access to God. |
| Mt 27:51 | "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom..." | Symbolic open access to God's presence. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are the temple of God...?" | Believers as God's spiritual dwelling place. |
| 1 Cor 6:19 | "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit..." | Individual believers as sacred spaces. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | "...being built on the foundation of the apostles... a dwelling place of God in the Spirit." | The Church as a spiritual temple. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house..." | Believers contribute to God's spiritual dwelling. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men..." | God's ultimate dwelling among humanity. |
| Rev 21:22 | "I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple." | Ultimate direct access to God, no physical temple needed. |
| Gen 6:22 | "Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did." | Precedent of strict obedience to divine building commands. |
| Ps 15:1 | "LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?" | Question of entry into God's presence, requiring holiness. |
Exodus 38 verses
Exodus 38 14 Meaning
Exodus 38:14 describes a specific detail concerning the construction of the Tabernacle court's entrance. It states that the hangings forming one of the shorter sides of the court gate were fifteen cubits long, supported by three pillars set into three bronze bases. This verse is part of a larger section meticulously detailing the construction, confirming that the work was done precisely according to the divine instructions given to Moses.
Exodus 38 14 Context
Exodus 38:14 is part of a detailed account in Exodus chapters 35-40, which describe the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, adhering precisely to the instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai (chapters 25-31). This specific verse focuses on the court of the Tabernacle, a large rectangular enclosure that surrounded the tent sanctuary. The court had an entrance or gate on its eastern side, measuring twenty cubits in total width, composed of the gate hanging itself and side hangings. This verse specifies one of these side sections flanking the main entrance, highlighting the meticulous care taken in building God's dwelling place among His people in the wilderness. Historically, this nomadic sanctuary served as the center of Israel's worship, law, and God's manifested presence, guiding them and teaching them principles of holiness, separation, and atonement.
Exodus 38 14 Word analysis
- The hangings: (קלעים, qela'im) These were curtains, specifically for the court enclosure (Ex 27:9), differentiating the sacred inner space from the outside. They were made of fine twined linen, symbolizing purity and representing a costly barrier to God's presence, accessible only through His prescribed way.
- for the one side: (לַכָּתֵף֙, la-kathef) Literally "for the shoulder," signifying a supporting or lateral portion, indicating one of the sections of the gate. This highlights the modular, yet precisely specified, construction of the entire complex.
- of the gate: (הַשַּׁ֙עַר֙, ha-sha'ar) The sole entrance point into the Tabernacle court. This signifies that access to God's presence is not arbitrary but specifically appointed and controlled, emphasizing the sacredness of the space within.
- were fifteen cubits long: (חֲמֵשׁ֩ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה אַמָּ֜ה, ḥamesh ‘esreh ’ammah) A precise measurement (approximately 22.5 feet), reinforcing the divine expectation of exact adherence to His design. Every dimension and detail was purposeful, reflecting God's perfect order and wisdom.
- with their three pillars: (עַמֻּדֵיהֶם֙, ‘ammudeihem) These were support posts, likely made of bronze for the court, providing the structure to hold the hangings upright. Pillars symbolize stability, support, and standing firm, much like God's unchanging nature and the foundations of His covenant.
- and their three bases: (וַאֲדָנֵיהֶ֑ם, va'adaneihem) The heavy sockets or pedestals into which the pillars were securely placed, specifically made of bronze (Ex 38:10) for the court. The bases denote a firm foundation and security, emphasizing the unwavering stability of God's dwelling place and His divine plan.
Words-Group analysis:
- "The hangings... gate": This phrase emphasizes the structured separation of the holy from the common. The Tabernacle, enclosed by hangings, presented a physical boundary, necessitating entry through a divinely appointed "gate." This foreshadows Christ as the "door" (Jn 10:7-9) through whom all must enter to approach God.
- "fifteen cubits long, with their three pillars and their three bases": The specific dimensions and components stress the precision required by God. Every detail, down to the number of pillars and bases, was laid out by divine blueprint, signifying that worship and access to God are not left to human discretion but must align with His revelation. The "three" likely emphasizes completion and divine wholeness in the structure. The stability provided by pillars and bases typifies the security and unshakeable nature of God's covenant and His provided path.
Exodus 38 14 Bonus section
The consistent repetition of "as the LORD commanded Moses" (Ex 38:22, 23, etc.) throughout Exodus 38 and subsequent chapters highlights the absolute necessity of obedience in worship and service to God. Every dimension, material, and structural component of the Tabernacle served a didactic and theological purpose, pointing to the nature of God, the condition of humanity, and the way of redemption. Even small details like the fifteen-cubit length of a specific hanging were part of an interconnected divine blueprint, revealing a unified plan from God for His interaction with humanity. This meticulous detail demonstrates that even seemingly small aspects of God's instructions hold significant meaning and contribute to the complete picture of His redemptive design.
Exodus 38 14 Commentary
Exodus 38:14 reiterates the fulfillment of specific instructions for the Tabernacle court, emphasizing divine authority and meticulous execution. The hangings delineated the sacred from the profane, signifying the need for holy separation to approach God. The gate, guarded by precise dimensions and supports, was the single, divinely ordained point of access. This detail, though seemingly minor, underscores profound theological truths: God's presence demands specific conditions, not human improvisation. The Tabernacle, a type of Christ, perfectly illustrates this. Just as there was only one gate into the Tabernacle court, Christ Himself is the singular "Way" (Jn 14:6) and the "Door" (Jn 10:9) to God. The bronze pillars and bases for the court, unlike the silver for the holy place, highlight a specific foundation—bronze often signifying judgment and strength, supporting the necessary conditions for a sinful people to approach a holy God. The entire structure points to Christ's person and work, through whom the ultimate veil was torn (Mt 27:51), granting direct access to God for those who believe.