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:

And thou shalt make {H6213} the court {H2691} of the tabernacle {H4908}: for the south {H5045} side {H6285} southward {H8486} there shall be hangings {H7050} for the court {H2691} of fine twined {H7806} linen {H8336} of an hundred {H3967} cubits {H520} long {H753} for one {H259} side {H6285}:

"Here is how you are to make the courtyard of the tabernacle. On the south side, facing southward, are to be tapestries for the courtyard made of finely woven linen, 150 feet for one side,

You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side,

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 a hundred cubits long for one side:

Commentary

Exodus 27:9 continues God's meticulous instructions to Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary for His presence among the Israelites during their wilderness journey. This specific verse details the initial construction of the outer court, beginning with the south side.

Context

Following detailed commands for the Altar of Burnt Offering and its implements, the Lord shifts focus to the enclosure that would surround the sacred tent itself. The court served as a vital boundary, separating the holy areas of the Tabernacle from the common camp of Israel. This verse specifies the dimensions and material for the southern wall of this court, setting the stage for the rest of the enclosure described in subsequent verses.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Precision: The explicit measurements ("an hundred cubits long") and specific materials demonstrate God's demand for order and exactness in worship and in the building of His dwelling place. Every detail was divinely ordained, underscoring the importance of following God's commands precisely.
  • Separation and Holiness: The hangings of the court created a clear physical barrier, visually and spiritually separating the consecrated space of the Tabernacle from the secular world outside. This emphasized the holiness of God and the reverence required to approach Him.
  • Symbolism of Materials: The use of "fine twined linen" is significant. In Hebrew, this is shesh mashzar, often associated with purity, righteousness, and the garments of priests and heavenly beings. Its use here points to the purity required for worship and the sacredness of the space.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fine twined linen" (Hebrew: shesh mashzar) refers to a very high-quality fabric, typically imported from Egypt. Shesh denotes the material itself, known for its smooth texture and brilliant whiteness, while mashzar indicates that the threads were tightly twisted or plied together. This process made the fabric exceptionally strong and durable, as well as aesthetically pleasing. Its purity symbolized the holiness of God and the need for a pure heart in those who would draw near to Him, echoing themes found in Psalm 24:4 regarding clean hands and a pure heart.

Practical Application

Exodus 27:9 reminds us that God is a God of order and intention. While we no longer build a physical Tabernacle, the principles of reverence, purity, and intentionality in our approach to God remain. The boundaries of the court underscore the importance of setting apart sacred space and time for God in our lives. The "fine twined linen" can serve as a spiritual symbol, encouraging believers to pursue purity and righteousness in their walk, reflecting the righteousness of the saints described in Revelation 19:8, which is given by Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 38:9

    ¶ And he made the court: on the south side southward the hangings of the court [were of] fine twined linen, an hundred cubits:

  • Exodus 38:20

    And all the pins of the tabernacle, and of the court round about, [were of] brass.

  • Exodus 40:8

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

  • Ezekiel 40:28

    And he brought me to the inner court by the south gate: and he measured the south gate according to these measures;

  • Ezekiel 42:19

    He turned about to the west side, [and] measured five hundred reeds with the measuring reed.

  • Ezekiel 42:20

    He measured it by the four sides: it had a wall round about, five hundred [reeds] long, and five hundred broad, to make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place.

  • Ezekiel 40:32

    And he brought me into the inner court toward the east: and he measured the gate according to these measures.
← Back