(The Lord speaking is red text)
The hangings of one side [of the gate shall be] fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
The tapestries for one side [of the gateway] will be twenty-two-and-a-half feet long, hung on three posts in three sockets;
Make the curtains on one side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases,
The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
The hangings{H7050} of one side{H3802} of the gate shall be fifteen{H2568}{H6240} cubits{H520}: their pillars{H5982} three{H7969}, and their sockets{H134} three{H7969}.
Exodus 27:14 describes specific details for the construction of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle, which was the portable dwelling place for God among the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. The verse is part of a larger set of instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the tabernacle's design and its associated furnishings and structures.
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Precision and Order:** The exact measurements and materials used for the tabernacle's construction underscore the importance of following God's instructions with precision and care, reflecting a broader theme of obedience in the book of Exodus.
2. **Holiness and Separation:** The courtyard's hangings, pillars, and sockets served both practical and symbolic purposes, creating a defined sacred space that was set apart for worship and communion with God, emphasizing the theme of holiness and separation from the profane world.
3. **Inclusivity and Access:** While the tabernacle itself had increasingly restricted levels of access, the courtyard was the most accessible part of the sanctuary where all Israelites could gather for sacrifices and worship, highlighting a balance between God's holiness and His desire to be present among His people.
**Historical Context:**
The instructions in Exodus 27 were given during the Israelites' sojourn in the Sinai Peninsula after their miraculous deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This period marked the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel, with the tabernacle serving as the central place of worship and the focal point of God's presence. The detailed instructions for the tabernacle's construction reflect the religious and cultural practices of the ancient Near East, where the design of sacred spaces was highly regulated and symbolic.
The verse itself speaks to the practical aspects of constructing a portable sanctuary that could be easily assembled and disassembled as the Israelites traveled. The use of cubits as a unit of measurement reflects the contemporary standards of the time. The mention of pillars and sockets indicates the framework for hanging the courtyard's fabrics, which would have been made of finely twisted linen with blue, purple, and scarlet yarns, as described earlier in the chapter.
In summary, Exodus 27:14 is part of the intricate instructions for building the tabernacle's courtyard, emphasizing themes of divine instruction, holiness, and accessibility within the historical context of the Israelites' nomadic lifestyle and their developing relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)