Exodus 38 18

Exodus 38:18 kjv

And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.

Exodus 38:18 nkjv

The screen for the gate of the court was woven of blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and of fine woven linen. The length was twenty cubits, and the height along its width was five cubits, corresponding to the hangings of the court.

Exodus 38:18 niv

The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was made of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen?the work of an embroiderer. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,

Exodus 38:18 esv

And the screen for the gate of the court was embroidered with needlework in blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It was twenty cubits long and five cubits high in its breadth, corresponding to the hangings of the court.

Exodus 38:18 nlt

He made the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard of finely woven linen, and he decorated it with beautiful embroidery in blue, purple, and scarlet thread. It was 30 feet long, and its height was 7 1?2 feet, just like the curtains of the courtyard walls.

Exodus 38 verses

Exodus 38 18 Meaning

Exodus 38:18 details the construction of the curtain for the gate of the Tabernacle's outer court. It specifies the materials—intricately embroidered blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, intertwined with fine twined linen—and its exact dimensions: twenty cubits long and five cubits high. This verse emphasizes the beauty, costliness, and precise specifications of this vital entrance point, distinguishing it from the surrounding court curtains and signifying its importance in providing the sole access to God's dwelling place.

Exodus 38 18 Context

Exodus chapter 38 forms a significant part of the biblical record detailing the construction and precise execution of God's instructions for the Tabernacle. This chapter specifically recounts the fabrication of the Tabernacle's court—its dimensions, materials for its linen hangings, the bronze bases, and the gate. Verse 18 is focused on the entrance, the "gate of the court," distinguishing it from the other plainer white linen curtains of the surrounding fence. The Tabernacle served as God's portable dwelling place during Israel's wilderness wanderings, a tangible symbol of His presence among His people and the designated site for atonement and worship. This detailed account emphasizes God's precise and holy nature, where even seemingly minor components required careful adherence to divine pattern, reflecting the ordered and sacred approach required to His presence.

Exodus 38 18 Word analysis

• The curtain (מָסָךְ - masak): This Hebrew term refers to a screen or covering, often specifically for an entrance. It is distinct from the inner "veil" (parokhet) of the Holy Place and Holy of Holies. This "curtain" designates the only way into the outer court, the accessible area of the Tabernacle. Its function is to separate the sacred space from the common desert, yet it is also the entry point.
• of the gate (שַׁעַר - sha'ar): Signifies the primary entry. This emphasizes that there was only one authorized way to approach the Tabernacle area, speaking to divine order and exclusion of unauthorized access. Spiritually, this prefigures Christ as the sole "gate" (Jn 10:9) or "way" (Jn 14:6) to God.
• of the court (חָצֵר - hatzer): Refers to the outer, enclosed rectangular area surrounding the Tabernacle tent itself. It implies a demarcation between the profane and sacred, allowing the Israelite community (once cleansed) a space to approach God, but not enter the inner sanctuary directly.
• was an embroidery (מַעֲשֵׂה רֹקֵם - ma'aseh roqem): Lit. "the work of an embroiderer." This signifies skilled artistic craftsmanship, distinguishing it from simple weaving or plain cloth. It indicates beauty, effort, and value beyond mere functionality, signifying the importance of the entry point into God's presence.
• of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns:
  • Blue (תְּכֵלֶת - tekhelet): Derived from murex snails, costly, associated with heaven, divinity, and royalty. It signified the divine, heavenly origin of the Tabernacle and its commands.
  • Purple (אַרְגָּמָן - argaman): Extremely expensive, dyed from murex snails. This color represented royalty, sovereignty, and kingship. It indicates God's supreme authority as the King of Israel.
  • Scarlet (תּוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי - tola'at shani): Lit. "worm crimson" from kermes insects. Symbolizes blood, life, sacrifice, and redemption. This foreshadows the atoning blood sacrifice necessary to approach a holy God. These colors collectively symbolize God's attributes and the means of access to Him: heavenly King (blue, purple) through blood atonement (scarlet).
• and fine twined linen (שֵׁשׁ מָשְׁזָר - shes mashzar): High-quality, tightly twisted pure white linen, costly to produce. It universally symbolizes purity, righteousness, and holiness. It suggests the holiness of God and the pure, righteous character required for entrance or proximity to Him.

Words-Group analysis

• "The curtain of the gate of the court": This phrase precisely identifies the single entry point for the entire outer sacred enclosure. Unlike the tent entrance or inner veil, this gate provided access for all qualified Israelites into the general courtyard.
• "an embroidery of blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, and fine twined linen": This highlights the visual splendor and costly nature of the gate curtain, setting it apart from the plain white linen of the surrounding court hangings. It emphasizes the glory and sacredness associated with the point of entry into God's dwelling, visually communicating God's nature (heavenly King, demanding sacrifice) and the purity required. This specific combination of colors and fine linen also consistently appears for the inner, most sacred Tabernacle textiles and priestly garments, underscoring the spiritual significance of this initial entrance.
• "It was twenty cubits long and five cubits high, corresponding to the height of the curtains of the court": These precise dimensions show adherence to God's exact divine specifications, affirming order and perfect fit within the overall Tabernacle design. The "five cubits high" matches the other court curtains (Exo 27:18), while the "twenty cubits long" sets the specific width of the single entryway.

Exodus 38 18 Bonus section

• The Gate of the Court (masak sha'ar hachatzer) is different from the inner veil (parokhet) separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, and also distinct from the screen (masak petach haohel) at the entrance of the Tabernacle tent itself. This curtain represents the first, outward boundary of the sacred complex, marking the entry into the communal worship area, not direct entry into the sanctuary.
• The fact that the gate curtain was visually striking and made of valuable materials communicated to the Israelites the glory and sacredness of even the initial approach to God. It set a tone of reverence before one even reached the altar or the Tent of Meeting.
• The consistent repetition of the materials and dimensions across different chapters (e.g., Exo 27:16, 36:37, 39:29) emphasizes God's precision and the builders' exact obedience to His divine blueprint, reinforcing the doctrine of divine inspiration and authority for the Tabernacle's design.

Exodus 38 18 Commentary

Exodus 38:18 intricately describes the magnificent entrance curtain to the Tabernacle's outer court, revealing profound spiritual truths. This curtain was not merely functional but intentionally distinct from the rest of the court's plain linen walls. Its vibrant embroidery of blue, purple, and scarlet, woven with fine twined linen, pointed to God's divine majesty (blue), His royal sovereignty (purple), and the indispensable element of blood atonement (scarlet). The fine linen, signifying purity and righteousness, speaks to God's holiness and the necessary character of those who would draw near.

As the sole access point to the Tabernacle grounds, this beautiful yet costly gateway symbolically represented the only path to God's presence. While not as restricted as the inner veils, it still commanded reverence and intentionality. The New Testament illuminates these symbols, showing that Jesus Christ fulfills the typology of this gateway. He is "the Gate" (Jn 10:9) and "the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6), the sole access to the Father. His heavenly origin (blue), kingly rule (purple), perfect righteousness (fine linen), and atoning sacrifice (scarlet, through His blood) are perfectly prefigured in this vivid curtain. Unlike physical barriers, Christ opened "a new and living way through the curtain—that is, his body" (Heb 10:20), enabling direct access for all who believe, a path purchased at the costliest price imaginable.