Exodus 27:13

KJV

And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward [shall be] fifty cubits.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the breadth {H7341} of the court {H2691} on the east {H6924} side {H6285} eastward {H4217} shall be fifty {H2572} cubits {H520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The width of the courtyard on the east side, facing east, will be seventy-five feet.

Berean Standard Bible

The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide.

American Standard Version

And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 27:13 precisely details a specific dimension of the Tabernacle's outer court, stipulating that the breadth of its east side would measure fifty cubits. This instruction is an integral part of God's meticulously revealed blueprint for the portable sanctuary, underscoring divine precision and the sacred order essential for His dwelling place among the Israelites, particularly highlighting the designated point of access for His people to approach Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a comprehensive block of divine instructions concerning the construction of the Tabernacle, spanning from [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle") through [Exodus 30](/exodus/30 "Exodus 30 - Consecration of Priests and Altar of Incense"). Following the initial command to build a sanctuary so God might dwell among His people ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary")), the narrative meticulously describes the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Lampstand. [Exodus 26](/exodus/26 "Exodus 26 - The Tabernacle Structure") then outlines the intricate details of the Tabernacle structure itself, including its curtains, frames, and veils. [Exodus 27](/exodus/27 "Exodus 27 - The Altar and Court") transitions to the bronze altar and the surrounding court. Specifically, [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9-19 "Exodus 27:9-19 - Dimensions and Materials for the Court") provides the dimensions and materials for the court's enclosure. After specifying the 100-cubit lengths for the north and south sides ([Exodus 27:11](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11 - North and South Side Dimensions")), and the 50-cubit breadth for the west side ([Exodus 27:12](/exodus/27-12 "Exodus 27:12 - West Side Dimensions")), Exodus 27:13 completes the rectangular perimeter by detailing the breadth of the east side. This east side held particular significance as it contained the main entrance, the "gate of the court" ([Exodus 27:16](/exodus/27-16 "Exodus 27:16 - The Gate of the Court")), which served as the sole point of access for the people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to the Israelites at Mount Sinai, shortly after their miraculous exodus from Egyptian bondage. As a nomadic people journeying through the wilderness, a portable sanctuary was paramount for God to maintain His manifest presence in their midst. In the broader ancient Near East, the concept of sacred space and temples as dwelling places for deities was common. However, the Tabernacle was unique in its portability, its emphasis on God's immanence among His covenant people, and the divine origin of its precise blueprint. The meticulous measurements, such as the "fifty cubits" mentioned here, reflected a divine standard of order, holiness, and separation, contrasting sharply with the often more organic or human-centric designs of pagan temples. The "cubit" (Hebrew: _ammah_) was a widely used unit of measurement in the ancient world, typically approximating the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). Thus, 50 cubits would equate to approximately 75-87.5 feet (22.5-26.5 meters). This level of detail underscores the divine authorship of the design and the profound gravity of approaching a holy God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, like the broader Tabernacle narrative, contributes to several foundational theological themes. Primarily, it highlights God's **holiness and transcendence**, demonstrating that He is utterly distinct from His creation and requires a specific, divinely ordained means of approach. The precise dimensions and detailed instructions emphasize God's **order and intentionality**, revealing a God who cares deeply about the specifics of worship and the environment in which His presence is manifested. The Tabernacle's design, including the court dimensions, also underscores the theme of **divine presence and immanence**, as God chose to dwell among His people in a tangible way, albeit within a carefully regulated sacred space ([Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God Dwells Among Israel")). Finally, the very existence of a designated entrance on the east side introduces the theme of **access to God**, foreshadowing the singular way by which humanity can draw near to Him, a theme that finds its ultimate culmination in the New Testament with the person of Jesus Christ ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Court (Hebrew, _châtsêr'_):** This term refers to the outer enclosure or yard that surrounded the Tent of Meeting and the altar of burnt offering. It served as a sacred perimeter, distinguishing the holy ground of the Tabernacle from the common ground outside. The court's dimensions were essential for defining the sacred space where the people could approach God through sacrifice and priestly mediation.
* **Eastward (Hebrew, _mizrâch'_):** The phrase "on the east side eastward" (קדמה מזרחה, _qedmah mizrachah_) is a Hebrew idiom that strongly emphasizes the direction, leaving no ambiguity as to which side of the rectangular court is being described. This directional emphasis is profoundly significant because the east side was the designated entrance to the Tabernacle court ([Exodus 27:16](/exodus/27-16 "Exodus 27:16 - The Gate of the Court")), symbolizing the specific and controlled access to God's presence. Throughout biblical narrative, the east often carries symbolic weight, from the expulsion from Eden's east gate ([Genesis 3:24](/genesis/3-24 "Genesis 3:24 - Expulsion from Eden")) to the glory of God returning from the east ([Ezekiel 43:2](/ezekiel/43-2 "Ezekiel 43:2 - Glory of God Returns")).
* **Cubits (Hebrew, _ʼammâh'_):** This term refers to a standard ancient unit of linear measurement, derived from the length of a forearm. Its consistent use throughout the Tabernacle instructions (e.g., [Exodus 27:11](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11 - North and South Court Dimensions"), [Exodus 27:12](/exodus/27-12 "Exodus 27:12 - West Court Dimensions")) highlights the divine insistence on exactness. The precise dimensions were not arbitrary but were integral to the Tabernacle's symbolic meaning and its function as a pattern for heavenly realities ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Tabernacle as a Copy of Heavenly Things")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the breadth of the court":** This opening phrase introduces the specific measurement for the width of the outer enclosure, which surrounded the Tent of Meeting and the altar of burnt offering. This court served as a crucial transitional space, separating the common ground from the increasingly holy areas within the Tabernacle. Its dimensions were foundational for delineating the sacred perimeter and ensuring proper order for worship.
* **"on the east side eastward":** This specifies the precise location of the fifty-cubit measurement. The repetition of "east" (from _qedem_ and _mizrâch_) strongly reinforces the exactness of the divine instruction and underscores the particular importance of this side. As the side containing the gate, it was the only point of entry for the people, signifying that access to God was not arbitrary or open-ended but divinely ordained and strictly regulated.
* **"[shall be] fifty cubits":** This numerical value completes the description of the court's rectangular shape, matching the west side's breadth ([Exodus 27:12](/exodus/27-12 "Exodus 27:12 - West Side Dimensions")) and contrasting with the longer 100-cubit north and south sides ([Exodus 27:11](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11 - North and South Side Dimensions")). The exactness of this measurement, like all others in the Tabernacle blueprint, profoundly speaks to God's nature as a God of order, precision, and intentionality in all matters pertaining to His worship and the establishment of His covenant presence among His people.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Precision** and **Detailing** are paramount, as every aspect of the Tabernacle's construction, down to the exact cubit, is meticulously laid out. This exhaustive enumeration of dimensions (e.g., [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9-19 "Exodus 27:9-19 - Court Dimensions")) underscores the divine origin of the blueprint and the absolute necessity of adhering to God's specifications for sacred space. Furthermore, the Tabernacle itself functions as a powerful **Symbolism**, where its physical structure, including its dimensions and the designated east gate, visually represents profound theological truths about God's holiness, His dwelling among His people, and the divinely regulated means of approaching Him. The **Repetition** of directional terms and measurements throughout the Tabernacle instructions serves to emphasize the importance of each detail, to ensure clarity in construction, and to impress upon the reader the divine authority behind every command.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous detail found in Exodus 27:13, concerning the precise dimensions of the Tabernacle court, profoundly reveals God's character as a God of order, holiness, and intentional design. This divine precision was not merely for structural integrity but served to delineate sacred space from common ground, emphasizing the awe, reverence, and purity required in approaching a holy God. The very act of God providing such exhaustive blueprints underscores His sovereignty and His desire for His people to worship Him according to His revealed will, setting a timeless standard for intentionality and reverence in all matters of faith. The Tabernacle, in its entirety, was a tangible object lesson, teaching Israel about God's presence, the nature of sin, and the necessity of atonement, all within a divinely ordered framework that pointed to a greater reality.

* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Holy and Common")
* [Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God Dwells Among Israel")
* [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - The Creation Account")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine blueprint for the Tabernacle, with its exacting measurements like those in Exodus 27:13, serves as a powerful reminder of God's nature as a God of order, intentionality, and holiness. In a world often characterized by chaos, human-centric approaches, and a casual attitude towards the sacred, this passage calls us to consider the profound importance of divine design in our lives and worship. It encourages us to approach our faith with a similar level of intentionality and reverence, recognizing that God cares about the details of how we draw near to Him and how we live out our covenant relationship with Him. While we no longer build physical tabernacles, the principles of sacred space, regulated access, and the pursuit of holiness remain profoundly relevant. Our lives, as temples of the Holy Spirit, are called to reflect God's order, beauty, and moral purity, honoring Him in every aspect. This passage prompts us to ask whether our worship, our service, and our daily conduct truly reflect the awe and precision due to our holy God, and if we are intentionally cultivating spaces and practices that honor His divine order.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's emphasis on precision in the Tabernacle's design challenge our often casual or unplanned approach to spiritual disciplines and corporate worship today?**
* **In what specific ways can we, as believers, more intentionally reflect God's order and holiness in our personal lives and in the collective life of the church?**
* **Considering the Tabernacle's role in providing a designated "sacred space" for encountering God, what does the concept of "sacred space" mean for believers today, and how do we cultivate it in our modern context?**

### FAQ

**What is a cubit, and why are these measurements so important?**

Answer: A cubit was an ancient unit of measurement, typically representing the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, roughly 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). The profound significance of these precise measurements, like the "fifty cubits" for the east side of the court, lies in their divine origin. God explicitly commanded every dimension of the Tabernacle, leaving nothing to human discretion or approximation. This underscores His nature as a God of order, precision, and absolute authority, and highlights the sacredness of the entire structure, which was to be a pattern of heavenly realities ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - Tabernacle as a Copy of Heavenly Things")). The exactness ensured that the Tabernacle was built according to His perfect will, serving its symbolic and functional purposes precisely as a dwelling place for His holy presence.

**Why was the east side of the court particularly significant?**

Answer: The east side of the Tabernacle court was uniquely significant because it contained the main entrance, known as the "gate of the court" ([Exodus 27:16](/exodus/27-16 "Exodus 27:16 - The Gate of the Court")). This meant that all who approached the Tabernacle, including priests and laypeople, had to enter through this specific fifty-cubit wide opening. This designated point of entry symbolized that access to God was not arbitrary or open from any direction, but was divinely ordained, regulated, and singular. It powerfully foreshadowed the specific and exclusive way to approach God, which would ultimately be revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who declared, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved" ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")).

**Does God still care about such precise details and physical structures today?**

Answer: While God no longer requires a physical Tabernacle or temple for His dwelling among His people (as His Spirit now indwells individual believers and the corporate body of the church, as seen in [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple") and [Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Church as a Holy Temple")), the enduring principles behind the Tabernacle's precise construction remain highly relevant. God's unchanging nature as a God of order, holiness, and intentionality is still profoundly evident. The meticulousness of the Tabernacle instructions teaches us about reverence, the importance of approaching God on His terms, and the beauty of His perfect design. It underscores that our worship and lives should be intentional, ordered, and consecrated, reflecting His character, rather than being haphazard, self-devised, or casual. God's desire for order and holiness in His people endures.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The precise dimensions of the Tabernacle's court, particularly the fifty-cubit breadth of the east side with its singular gate, powerfully foreshadow the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, as God's dwelling place among His people ([Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God Dwells Among Israel")), finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, for in Him "the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as the east gate was the only divinely appointed way into the court, Jesus unequivocally declares, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved" ([John 10:9](/john/10-9 "John 10:9 - Jesus, the Door")). The strict measurements and regulated access of the Old Testament sanctuary pointed to the absolute necessity of a divinely appointed and singular way to approach a holy God. This way is perfectly embodied in Jesus, who, as our Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), entered the true heavenly sanctuary once for all, securing eternal redemption not with the blood of animals, but with His own precious blood ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest")). Through His perfect sacrifice, the veil separating humanity from God was dramatically torn ([Matthew 27:51](/matthew/27-51 "Matthew 27:51 - The Temple Veil Torn")), granting us bold and direct access to the Father ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through Christ's Blood")). Thus, the meticulous design of the Tabernacle, including the fifty-cubit east gate, ultimately directs our gaze to Christ as the sole, perfect, and divinely ordained means by which humanity can draw near to God and find eternal life.

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.