Exodus 27:11

KJV

And likewise for the north side in length [there shall be] hangings of an hundred [cubits] long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets [of] brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver.

KJV (with Strong's)

And likewise for the north {H6828} side {H6285} in length {H753} there shall be hangings {H7050} of an hundred {H3967} cubits long {H753}, and his twenty {H6242} pillars {H5982} and their twenty {H6242} sockets {H134} of brass {H5178}; the hooks {H2053} of the pillars {H5982} and their fillets {H2838} of silver {H3701}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Likewise, along the north side are to be tapestries 150 feet long, hung on twenty posts in twenty bronze sockets, with silver hooks and rings for the posts.

Berean Standard Bible

Likewise there are to be curtains on the north side, a hundred cubits long, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and with silver hooks and bands on the posts.

American Standard Version

And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, and the pillars thereof twenty, and their sockets twenty, of brass; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 27:11 meticulously details the specifications for the north side of the Tabernacle courtyard, mirroring the dimensions and materials prescribed for the south. It mandates hangings one hundred cubits long, supported by twenty brass pillars with their corresponding twenty brass sockets, and connected by silver hooks and silver fillets. This precise instruction underscores God's demand for order, holiness, and the intentional design of His dwelling place, where every component, from foundational brass to connecting silver, held both functional and symbolic significance in establishing a sacred boundary for divine encounter.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 27:11 is an integral part of God's comprehensive instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its surrounding courtyard, beginning in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"). Specifically, it follows the detailed description of the Tabernacle's south side in [Exodus 27:9-10](/exodus/27-9 "Exodus 27:9-10 - The South Side of the Courtyard"), indicating a symmetrical and balanced design. The preceding verses ([Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1-8 - The Altar of Burnt Offering")) describe the altar of burnt offering, the central piece of furniture in the courtyard, emphasizing the sacrificial system that would operate within this sacred space. Following the north side, the passage continues to describe the west side ([Exodus 27:12](/exodus/27-12 "Exodus 27:12 - The West Side of the Courtyard")), the east side with its gate ([Exodus 27:13-19](/exodus/27-13 "Exodus 27:13-19 - The East Side and Gate")), and concludes with instructions for the oil for the lampstand ([Exodus 27:20-21](/exodus/27-20 "Exodus 27:20-21 - Oil for the Lampstand")), demonstrating a logical progression from the courtyard's exterior to its internal functions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Tabernacle served as a portable sanctuary for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, a tangible symbol of God's presence among His people. Its construction was commanded shortly after the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, signifying the establishment of a covenant relationship where God would dwell in their midst ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - Command to Build the Sanctuary")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, temples and sacred spaces were often designed with meticulous detail, reflecting the perceived order and majesty of the deity. However, the Tabernacle's unique portability and the divine origin of its specific, exhaustive blueprints set it apart, emphasizing Yahweh's direct involvement in establishing the parameters of worship. The use of specific materials like brass (bronze) and silver was common in the region for both utilitarian and decorative purposes, but within the Tabernacle's context, these materials took on profound symbolic meaning, distinguishing sacred from common and highlighting the purity and redemption necessary for approaching a holy God. The entire structure, including the courtyard described in [Exodus 27](/exodus/27 "Exodus 27 - The Tabernacle Courtyard"), functioned as a barrier, protecting the holiness of God from the defilement of the camp, and regulating access to His presence according to His divine protocol.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fillets (Hebrew, _ḥūšuqqīm_):** This term, appearing only a few times in Exodus (e.g., [Exodus 27:10](/exodus/27-10 "Exodus 27:10 - Fillets on the South Side"), [Exodus 38:11](/exodus/38-11 "Exodus 38:11 - Fillets on the North Side")), refers to connecting rods or bands that ran along the top of the pillars, providing stability and support for the hangings of the courtyard. Their function was to ensure the integrity and rigidity of the entire perimeter, holding the structure together. The use of silver for these elements highlights their preciousness and the purity associated with the connections within God's sacred dwelling.
* **Hooks (Hebrew, _wāwim_):** These were the fasteners used to attach the linen hangings to the pillars. Like the fillets, they were made of silver, signifying their importance in securing the sacred boundaries. Though seemingly small components, the hooks were essential for the practical function of the courtyard enclosure, demonstrating that even the smallest details in God's design were significant and divinely prescribed.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And likewise for the north side in length [there shall be] hangings of an hundred [cubits] long":** This clause establishes the primary dimension of the north side of the courtyard, mirroring the south side. The "hangings" (likely fine linen, as per [Exodus 27:9](/exodus/27-9 "Exodus 27:9 - Hangings of the Courtyard")) formed the wall of the sacred enclosure, separating the holy space from the common camp. The length of one hundred cubits (approximately 150 feet or 45 meters) indicates a substantial and imposing boundary, emphasizing the vastness of the sacred space and the clear demarcation between the profane and the holy.
* **"and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets [of] brass":** This specifies the structural support for the hangings on the north side. Twenty pillars, evenly spaced along the one hundred cubits, would have held the linen hangings aloft. The "sockets" were the foundational bases into which the pillars were set, providing stability. The material, "brass" (more accurately, bronze), is significant. Bronze in biblical symbolism often represents strength, endurance, and judgment (e.g., the bronze altar in [Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1-8 - The Bronze Altar")). Its use for the foundational sockets suggests that the very basis of God's dwelling and the approach to Him is rooted in His righteous judgment and unwavering strength.
* **"the hooks of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver":** This clause details the connecting elements. The "hooks" were used to suspend the hangings, while the "fillets" (connecting rods) provided structural integrity across the top of the pillars. Both were made of "silver." Silver in the Tabernacle context frequently symbolizes redemption, atonement, or purity (e.g., the atonement money in [Exodus 30:16](/exodus/30-16 "Exodus 30:16 - The Atonement Money")). Here, its use for the connecting elements suggests that the purity and redemption are vital for interaction within the sacred space, emphasizing that access to God is not by human merit but through divine provision and purification.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 27:11, and indeed throughout the Tabernacle instructions, is **Symbolism**. Every material, dimension, and component of the Tabernacle and its courtyard is imbued with deeper theological meaning, pointing beyond its physical reality to spiritual truths about God's character, His relationship with humanity, and the means of approaching Him. The **Precision** and **Repetition** of detailed instructions (e.g., mirroring the north side to the south) serve to emphasize the divine origin and authority of the design, leaving no room for human alteration or improvisation. This meticulousness underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for holiness in worship. The use of different materials for different functions (bronze for foundational strength, silver for connecting purity) also functions as a form of **Contrast**, highlighting the distinct yet complementary aspects of God's character and the requirements for worship.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 27:11 reinforces several profound theological themes. First, it underscores God's divine precision and order. The meticulous detail in the Tabernacle's design, down to the smallest hook, reveals that God is a God of perfect order, who cares about every aspect of worship and life. This attention to detail speaks to His holiness and the reverence required in His presence. Second, the verse highlights the theme of holiness and separation. The courtyard, defined by these hangings and pillars, served as a sacred barrier, marking off a consecrated space where God would meet with His people. This physical separation emphasized God's transcendent holiness and the need for a consecrated approach, foreshadowing the ultimate separation that sin creates and the need for a mediator. Finally, the symbolism of the materials—brass for foundational strength and judgment, silver for purity and redemption—points to the enduring nature of God's righteous character and the means by which a sinful people can draw near to Him.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Build According to the Pattern")
* [Hebrews 9:1-10](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Tabernacle")
* [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redemption with Precious Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 27:11, though detailing an ancient structure, offers timeless principles for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of intentionality and excellence, who values order and purity in our lives and worship. Just as He meticulously designed every part of the Tabernacle, He has a divine purpose and plan for His church and for each individual believer. This calls us to live with diligence and attentiveness in our service to Him, recognizing that even seemingly small acts of obedience contribute to His grand design. Furthermore, the Tabernacle's function as a sacred boundary reminds us of God's holiness and the reverence due to Him. While we no longer approach God through a physical structure, the principle of reverent and consecrated living remains paramount. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, should reflect His character, marked by purity and a desire for His presence. Every believer, like every part of the Tabernacle, is significant and plays a vital role in the spiritual house God is building.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the Tabernacle's design challenge or affirm your understanding of His character?**
* **In what ways can we, as New Testament believers, apply the principle of "holiness and separation" in our daily lives without building physical barriers?**
* **Considering the symbolism of brass (judgment/strength) and silver (redemption/purity), how do these materials speak to the foundation and connection points of your own faith?**
* **What "small parts" of your spiritual life or service might God be calling you to pay more attention to, knowing that every detail matters to Him?**

### FAQ

**Why did God require such specific and detailed instructions for the Tabernacle?**

Answer: God's requirement for such specific and detailed instructions for the Tabernacle, as seen in [Exodus 27:11](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11 - North Side of the Courtyard") and throughout the book of Exodus, served multiple crucial purposes. First, it underscored His absolute sovereignty and authority, demonstrating that worship was to be conducted on His terms, not human terms. Second, it ensured the purity and holiness of the sacred space, emphasizing the vast chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, and the precise means by which access could be granted. Third, every detail, material, and dimension was imbued with symbolic meaning, teaching the Israelites profound theological truths about God's character, the nature of sin, the necessity of atonement, and the pathway to reconciliation. It was a visual sermon, a tangible representation of spiritual realities, preparing them for the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

**What is the significance of using different materials like brass and silver for different parts of the Tabernacle courtyard?**

Answer: The use of distinct materials like brass (bronze) and silver for different components of the Tabernacle courtyard, as specified in [Exodus 27:11](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11 - Materials for the North Side"), carries significant symbolic weight. Brass, often associated with strength, endurance, and divine judgment in the Bible (e.g., the bronze serpent in [Numbers 21:9](/numbers/21-9 "Numbers 21:9 - The Bronze Serpent") or the bronze altar in [Exodus 27:1-8](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1-8 - The Bronze Altar")), was used for the foundational sockets of the pillars. This suggests that the very basis of approaching God is rooted in His righteous judgment and unwavering strength. Silver, on the other hand, frequently symbolizes redemption, atonement, or purity (e.g., the half-shekel temple tax for atonement in [Exodus 30:16](/exodus/30-16 "Exodus 30:16 - The Atonement Money")). Its use for the hooks and fillets—the connecting elements—implies that purity and redemption are essential for the connections and relationships within the sacred sphere, highlighting that access to God is not by human merit but through divine provision and purification. Together, these materials illustrate the dual nature of God's character: His unyielding righteousness and His gracious provision for redemption.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 27:11, with its meticulous details of the Tabernacle courtyard, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The entire Tabernacle system, including the sacred boundaries and the materials used, served as a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - A Copy and Shadow")). The Tabernacle was God's dwelling place among His people, and Jesus is Immanuel, "God with us" ([Matthew 1:23](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel")). The hangings and pillars of the courtyard, which created a separation between the holy and the common, foreshadow the veil in the temple that was torn at Christ's death ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Torn Veil")), signifying that through His sacrifice, the barrier to God's presence was removed, granting direct access to God for all believers ([Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). The brass sockets, symbolizing judgment and strength, are fulfilled in Christ, who bore the judgment for our sins on the cross, demonstrating God's unwavering righteousness and power to save ([Romans 3:25-26](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25-26 - God's Righteousness Displayed")). The silver hooks and fillets, representing purity and redemption, point directly to the precious blood of Christ, by which we are redeemed and purified, enabling us to be connected to God and to one another in His holy presence ([1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Precious Blood")). Thus, the physical structure of the Tabernacle, with all its precise components, ultimately directs our gaze to Jesus, the perfect dwelling place of God, the one who tore down the dividing wall, and the means by which we are made pure and granted access to the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.