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 the dimensions of the Tabernacle's outer court, specifying that the breadth of the east side would be fifty cubits. This particular instruction is part of God's comprehensive blueprint for the portable sanctuary, emphasizing divine meticulousness and the sacred order required for His dwelling place among the Israelites, particularly highlighting the designated point of access for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger block of Scripture, [Exodus 25-30](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"), where God provides Moses with exhaustive instructions for constructing the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Following the command to build the sanctuary in [Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build a Sanctuary"), the text meticulously describes the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, the Lampstand, and then transitions to the Tabernacle structure itself. [Exodus 26](/exodus/26 "Exodus 26 - The Tabernacle Structure") details the curtains, frames, and veils of the Tent of Meeting, while [Exodus 27](/exodus/27 "Exodus 27 - The Altar and Court") focuses on the bronze altar and the surrounding court. Verses [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9 "Exodus 27:9-19 - Dimensions of the Court") specifically outline the dimensions and materials for the court's enclosure. After specifying the north and south sides as 100 cubits ([Exodus 27:11](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11 - North Side Dimensions")), and the west side as 50 cubits ([Exodus 27:12](/exodus/27-12 "Exodus 27:12 - West Side Dimensions")), Exodus 27:13 completes the rectangular perimeter by detailing the east side's breadth. This east side was particularly significant as it housed the main entrance, the "gate of the court" ([Exodus 27:16](/exodus/27-16 "Exodus 27:16 - The Gate of the Court")), which was the sole point of access for the people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to the Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt, while they were encamped at Mount Sinai. As a nomadic people, a portable sanctuary was essential for God to dwell in their midst during their wilderness wanderings. In the ancient Near East, the concept of sacred space was common, with temples often serving as the dwelling places of deities. However, the Tabernacle was unique in its portability and its emphasis on God's immanence among His people, rather than being confined to a fixed structure. The precise measurements, like the "fifty cubits" mentioned here, reflect a divine standard of order and holiness, contrasting with the often more organic or human-centric designs of pagan temples. The "cubit" (Hebrew: _ammah_) was a standard unit of measurement in the ancient world, typically 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 meticulous detail underscores the divine origin of the blueprint and the gravity of approaching a holy God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cubits (Hebrew, _ammah'_):** 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")).
* **Eastward (Hebrew, _mizrachah'_):** The phrase "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 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")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the breadth of the court":** This phrase introduces the specific measurement for the width of the outer enclosure, which surrounded the Tent of Meeting and the altar of burnt offering. The court served as a transitional space, separating the common ground from the increasingly holy areas within the Tabernacle. Its dimensions were crucial for defining the sacred perimeter.
* **"on the east side eastward":** This specifies the precise location of the fifty-cubit measurement. The repetition of "east" reinforces the exactness of the divine instruction and underscores the importance of this particular side. As the side containing the gate, it was the only point of entry for the people, signifying that access to God was not open-ended but divinely ordained and 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, 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.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its 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 "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 **Symbolism**, where its physical structure, including its dimensions and the designated east gate, visually represents theological truths about God's holiness, His dwelling among His people, and the regulated means of approaching Him. The **Repetition** of directional terms and measurements throughout the Tabernacle instructions serves to emphasize the importance of each detail and to ensure clarity in construction.

### 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 and reverence 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 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.

* [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 and human-centric approaches, this passage calls us to consider the 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. 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 and beauty, 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.

#### 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 worship today?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, reflect God's order and intentionality in our personal lives and in the collective life of the church?**
* **Considering the Tabernacle's role in providing a designated "sacred space," what does the concept of "sacred space" mean for believers today, and how do we cultivate it?**

### 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 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. This underscores His nature as a God of order and highlights the sacredness of the 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.

**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, 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 and regulated. It foreshadowed the specific and singular way to approach God, which would ultimately be revealed in Christ ([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 believers and 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 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Church as a Holy Temple")), the principles behind the Tabernacle's precise construction remain highly relevant. God's unchanging nature as a God of order, holiness, and intentionality is still 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 and ordered, reflecting His character, rather than being haphazard or self-devised.

### 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 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 way into the court, Jesus 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 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 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ, the High Priest")). Through His sacrifice, the veil separating humanity from God was 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 "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.

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.