(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court [were of] fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:
He made the courtyard. On the south side, facing southward, the tapestries for the courtyard were made of finely woven linen, 150 feet long,
Then he constructed the courtyard. The south side of the courtyard was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely spun linen,
And he made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits;
And he made{H6213} the court{H2691}: on the south{H5045} side{H6285} southward{H8486} the hangings{H7050} of the court{H2691} were of fine twined{H7806} linen{H8336}, an hundred{H3967} cubits{H520}:
**Exodus 38:9 Themes:**
1. **Divine Instruction and Craftsmanship:** The verse describes part of the construction of the Tabernacle, or the Tent of Meeting, which was the portable dwelling place for God among the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. The detailed instructions for the Tabernacle's construction were given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25-31). The execution of these instructions by skilled craftsmen, such as Bezalel and Oholiab, highlights themes of obedience, divine guidance, and the importance of artistry in the service of God.
2. **Holiness and Separation:** The Tabernacle was designed to be a holy space, separated from the ordinary. The court mentioned in Exodus 38:9 was the outermost area of the Tabernacle complex, surrounded by hangings that served as a boundary between the sacred space and the secular world. This separation emphasizes the theme of holiness and the need for purity in approaching God.
3. **Inclusivity and Community:** While the Tabernacle had strict boundaries, it was also a place where all Israelites could come to seek God. The court's dimensions allowed for communal worship and the participation of the entire congregation in sacrifices and festivals, reflecting the theme of inclusivity within the covenant community.
**Historical Context:**
Exodus 38:9 is set in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness after their escape from slavery in Egypt. The book of Exodus recounts how God delivered His people from oppression and entered into a covenant with them at Mount Sinai, giving them the Law, including the Ten Commandments. The construction of the Tabernacle was part of establishing a concrete presence of God among His people, providing a central place for worship and atonement.
The Tabernacle's portability was crucial for the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites at this time. The detailed descriptions of its construction and the materials used (such as fine twined linen for the hangings) reflect both the resources available to the Israelites, likely including those taken from the Egyptians during the Exodus, and the high value placed on the sacred space.
In summary, Exodus 38:9 reflects the themes of divine instruction, craftsmanship, holiness, separation, inclusivity, and community within the historical context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness and their establishment as a nation under God's covenant.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)