Exodus 27:15

KJV

And on the other side [shall be] hangings fifteen [cubits]: their pillars three, and their sockets three.

KJV (with Strong's)

And on the other {H8145} side {H3802} shall be hangings {H7050} fifteen {H2568}{H6240} cubits: their pillars {H5982} three {H7969}, and their sockets {H134} three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

for the other side there will be tapestries twenty-two-and-a-half feet long on three posts in three sockets.

Berean Standard Bible

and the curtains on the other side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases.

American Standard Version

And for the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 27:15 meticulously details the specifications for one of the shorter sides of the Tabernacle courtyard, prescribing "hangings fifteen [cubits]: their pillars three, and their sockets three." This verse is part of God's precise architectural blueprint for the portable sanctuary, underscoring the divine demand for order and intentionality in the construction of His dwelling place among the Israelites in the wilderness. It highlights the sacred boundaries and structural components necessary to define the holy space where God would meet with His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 27:15 is embedded within a larger section (Exodus 27:9-19) that provides the comprehensive dimensions and materials for the Tabernacle courtyard. This entire chapter, in turn, is part of a much broader block of scripture (Exodus 25-31 and 35-40) dedicated to the detailed instructions and subsequent construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Following the revelation of the Ten Commandments and the covenant at Mount Sinai, God immediately transitions to outlining the physical manifestation of His presence among His people. The courtyard, surrounding the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, served as the primary entry point and the designated area for sacrifices and priestly service, making its precise construction, as described in [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9 "Exodus 27:9-19 - The Courtyard of the Tabernacle"), foundational to the entire worship system. The meticulous detail in this verse, down to the number of pillars and sockets, emphasizes the divine origin of the design and the non-negotiable nature of God's commands regarding His worship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to Moses while the Israelites were encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, a nomadic people newly delivered from Egyptian bondage. In the ancient Near East, temples and sacred spaces were common, but a portable sanctuary was unique, reflecting Israel's transient wilderness journey. The Tabernacle served as the tangible symbol of God's presence among His people, fulfilling His promise to "dwell among them" ([Exodus 29:45](/exodus/29-45 "Exodus 29:45 - God's Promise to Dwell Among Israel")). The courtyard, with its enclosing hangings and supporting pillars and sockets, created a clear visual and physical distinction between the common camp of Israel and the sacred precinct of God's dwelling. This separation was crucial for a people who had just emerged from a polytheistic culture, reinforcing the singular holiness of Yahweh and the need for a specific, divinely ordained means of approach. The materials specified, such as brass for the sockets ([Exodus 27:10](/exodus/27-10 "Exodus 27:10 - Brass Sockets for the Pillars")), were readily available to the Israelites, often from the spoils of Egypt, and were common construction materials in the region, adapted here for sacred purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hangings (Hebrew, _qela'im'_):** These refer to the curtains or tapestries that formed the walls of the Tabernacle courtyard. Made of fine twined linen ([Exodus 27:9](/exodus/27-9 "Exodus 27:9 - Courtyard Hangings")), they created a visual barrier, signifying the sacred boundary between the holy space and the common ground. The quality of the material also spoke to the dignity and holiness of the dwelling place of God.
* **Pillars (Hebrew, _ammudim'_):** These were the upright posts or columns that supported the hangings. They were likely made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze ([Exodus 27:10](/exodus/27-10 "Exodus 27:10 - Pillars of the Courtyard")), providing the necessary structural integrity for the enclosure. Their number and placement were critical for maintaining the precise dimensions and form of the courtyard.
* **Sockets (Hebrew, _adaním'_):** These were the foundational bases into which the pillars were securely set. In the case of the courtyard, they were made of brass (bronze), as specified in [Exodus 27:10](/exodus/27-10 "Exodus 27:10 - Brass Sockets"). These heavy, durable bases provided stability, anchoring the entire structure firmly in the ground, preventing it from collapsing in the desert winds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And on the other side [shall be] hangings fifteen [cubits]:"** This clause specifies the length of the curtained enclosure for one of the shorter, western or eastern, sides of the Tabernacle courtyard. "Fifteen cubits" translates to approximately 22.5 to 26 feet (6.8 to 7.9 meters), indicating a relatively modest but clearly defined boundary for this section. The emphasis on "hangings" highlights the visual and physical separation they provided, creating a distinct sacred space.
* **"their pillars three, and their sockets three."** This part of the verse details the supporting structure for the fifteen-cubit section of hangings. For this length, three pillars were required to hold the curtains aloft, and each pillar was to be securely seated in its own brass socket. The precise number of pillars and sockets underscores the divine precision in the Tabernacle's design, ensuring stability, uniformity, and adherence to God's exact specifications.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device evident in Exodus 27:15, and indeed throughout the Tabernacle instructions, is **Precision** and **Repetition**. The meticulous detailing of measurements, materials, and components, down to the exact number of pillars and sockets, emphasizes the divine origin of the blueprint and God's demand for exact obedience in matters of worship. This **Precision** is not merely architectural but theological, reflecting God's holy character and His desire for an ordered, unblemished approach to His presence. The **Repetition** of similar structural descriptions for different sections of the courtyard (e.g., the longer sides in [Exodus 27:11-13](/exodus/27-11 "Exodus 27:11-13 - The North and South Sides of the Courtyard")) reinforces the comprehensive and consistent nature of the divine command. Furthermore, there is profound **Symbolism** at play. The courtyard and its enclosing hangings, pillars, and sockets symbolize the necessary boundary between the holy and the common, the purity required to approach God, and the divinely appointed path for access to His presence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 27:15, as part of the Tabernacle's design, profoundly illustrates God's character and His relationship with humanity. The meticulous detail speaks to God's holiness and His demand for order and intentionality in worship. It establishes a clear boundary between the sacred and the profane, emphasizing that access to God is not arbitrary but must occur on His terms. This separation, however, is not meant to exclude but to define the pathway for proper approach, highlighting God's desire to dwell among His people while maintaining His transcendent purity. The structure also foreshadows the ultimate means of access to God, moving from physical barriers to a spiritual reality.

* [Exodus 29:43](/exodus/29-43 "Exodus 29:43 - God's Meeting Place") - God promises to meet with the Israelites at the Tabernacle, emphasizing its purpose as a place of divine encounter.
* [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy") - God's command to "be holy, for I am holy" undergirds the need for a set-apart, pure space for His dwelling.
* [Hebrews 9:1](/hebrews/9-1 "Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Tabernacle") - This passage describes the earthly Tabernacle and its regulations, highlighting its symbolic nature and its limitations in providing true access to God.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While we no longer construct physical tabernacles, the principles embedded in Exodus 27:15 remain profoundly relevant for our spiritual lives. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order, intentionality, and holiness, and He desires that same precision and reverence in our approach to Him. It challenges us to consider what "boundaries" we establish in our lives to honor God and maintain a sacred space for His presence. Just as the Tabernacle courtyard defined a set-apart area for worship, we are called to create "spiritual courtyards" in our hearts, homes, and communities—places and practices where God is intentionally honored and His presence welcomed. This involves making conscious choices about what we allow into our lives, ensuring that our thoughts, words, and actions align with God's holy character. The divine attention to every cubit and every socket encourages us to believe that God cares deeply about the details of our lives and desires our obedience and devotion in every area, no matter how small.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I need to establish clearer "boundaries" to create a more sacred space for God's presence?**
* **How does God's emphasis on precision in the Tabernacle's design challenge my approach to worship and obedience?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater sense of intentionality and reverence in my personal devotion and corporate worship?**

### FAQ

**Why was God so specific about measurements and materials for the Tabernacle?**

Answer: God's meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle, including the precise measurements and materials in [Exodus 27](/exodus/27 "Exodus 27 - The Courtyard of the Tabernacle"), underscore several key theological truths. Firstly, it highlights His absolute holiness and transcendence, demanding that anything associated with His presence be set apart and perfect according to His divine standard. Secondly, it emphasized the divine origin of the Tabernacle's design, ensuring that it was not a human invention but a direct revelation from God. This precision also served a practical purpose, ensuring uniformity and structural integrity for a portable sanctuary that would be erected and dismantled multiple times. Finally, every detail of the Tabernacle was rich with symbolism, pointing forward to Christ and His redemptive work, making the exactness crucial for the prophetic types to be fulfilled.

**What is the significance of the "three pillars and three sockets" on this side of the courtyard?**

Answer: The number "three" often carries symbolic weight in biblical contexts, frequently associated with divine completeness, testimony, or emphasis. While the primary significance here is structural—three pillars providing adequate support for the fifteen-cubit length of hangings—it also contributes to the overall symmetry and divine order of the Tabernacle. The consistent use of three pillars for the shorter sides and five for the longer sides ([Exodus 27:12](/exodus/27-12 "Exodus 27:12 - The North Side of the Courtyard")) demonstrates a divinely ordained architectural harmony. The repetition of "three" (pillars and sockets) reinforces the deliberate and precise nature of God's command, ensuring stability and adherence to the sacred blueprint.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 27:15, with its detailed description of the Tabernacle courtyard's boundaries, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The physical "hangings," "pillars," and "sockets" that created a sacred, set-apart space in the wilderness foreshadow the spiritual reality established by Christ. No longer do we need a physical barrier to define God's dwelling, for God Himself "tabernacled among us" in the person of Jesus ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). The meticulous design of the Tabernacle, with its single gate, pointed to the singular means of access to God, which is now Christ Himself, who declared, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way")). The Old Testament Tabernacle, with its temporary and symbolic nature, served as a "copy and shadow of the heavenly things" ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Heavenly Sanctuary")). In Christ, the true and perfect Tabernacle, the separation between God and humanity has been overcome by His sacrifice, granting us "boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus" ([Hebrews 10:19](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Access to God Through Christ")). Thus, the precise boundaries of Exodus 27:15 ultimately lead us to the boundless grace and direct access we now enjoy through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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.