Exodus 38:9

King James Version:

(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:

Complete Jewish Bible:

He made the courtyard. On the south side, facing southward, the tapestries for the courtyard were made of finely woven linen, 150 feet long,

Berean Standard Bible:

Then he constructed the courtyard. The south side of the courtyard was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely spun linen,

American Standard Version:

And he made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, a hundred cubits;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

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}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Exodus 27:9

  • ¶ And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward [there shall be] hangings for the court [of] fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:

Exodus 27:19

  • All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, [shall be of] brass.

Psalms 92:13

  • Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.

Psalms 84:2

  • My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.

Exodus 40:8

  • And thou shalt set up the court round about, and hang up the hanging at the court gate.

1 Kings 6:36

  • And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

Psalms 84:10

  • For a day in thy courts [is] better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:


Commentary for Exodus 38:9

**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

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6213
    There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָשָׂה
    Transliteration: ʻâsâh
    Pronunciation: aw-saw'
    Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use.
  2. Strong's Number: H2691
    There are 163 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חָצֵר
    Transliteration: châtsêr
    Pronunciation: khaw-tsare'
    Description: (masculine and feminine); from חָצַר in its original sense; a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls); court, tower, village.
  3. Strong's Number: H5045
    There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נֶגֶב
    Transliteration: negeb
    Pronunciation: neh'-gheb
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine); south (country, side, -ward).
  4. Strong's Number: H6285
    There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: פֵּאָה
    Transliteration: pêʼâh
    Pronunciation: pay-aw'
    Description: feminine of פֹּה; properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity; corner, end, quarter, side.
  5. Strong's Number: H8486
    There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תֵּימָן
    Transliteration: têymân
    Pronunciation: tay-mawn'
    Description: or תֵּמָן; denominative from יָמִין; the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east); south (side, -ward, wind).
  6. Strong's Number: H7050
    There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֶלַע
    Transliteration: qelaʻ
    Pronunciation: keh'-lah
    Description: from קָלַע; a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself; hanging, leaf, sling.
  7. Strong's Number: H7806
    There are 21 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁזַר
    Transliteration: shâzar
    Pronunciation: shaw-zar'
    Description: a primitive root; to twist (a thread of straw); twine.
  8. Strong's Number: H8336
    There are 37 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
    Transliteration: shêsh
    Pronunciation: shaysh
    Description: or (for alliteration with מֶשִׁי) שְׁשִׁי; for שַׁיִשׁ; bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble; [idiom] blue, fine (twined) linen, marble, silk.
  9. Strong's Number: H3967
    There are 512 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מֵאָה
    Transliteration: mêʼâh
    Pronunciation: may-aw'
    Description: or מֵאיָה; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction; hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore.
  10. Strong's Number: H520
    There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אַמָּה
    Transliteration: ʼammâh
    Pronunciation: am-maw'
    Description: prolonged from אֵם; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance); cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for מֵאָה), measure, post.