Exodus 35:17

KJV

The hangings of the court, his pillars, and their sockets, and the hanging for the door of the court,

KJV (with Strong's)

The hangings {H7050} of the court {H2691}, his pillars {H5982}, and their sockets {H134}, and the hanging {H4539} for the door {H8179} of the court {H2691},

Complete Jewish Bible

the tapestries for the courtyard, with their posts and sockets; the screen for the gateway of the courtyard;

Berean Standard Bible

the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the gate of the courtyard;

American Standard Version

the hangings of the court, the pillars thereof, and their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 35:17 meticulously lists the components of the Tabernacle's outer court—its perimeter hangings, supporting pillars, their foundational sockets, and the entrance hanging—as part of the detailed instructions for its construction. This verse underscores the divine imperative for precision in establishing God's dwelling place, highlighting the ordered and holy approach required for His presence among the Israelites in the wilderness. It emphasizes that every element, no matter how seemingly minor, was crucial to the sacred design.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 35:17 is strategically placed within the latter portion of the book of Exodus, specifically chapters 35-40, which detail the actual construction of the Tabernacle following the divine blueprints given to Moses on Mount Sinai ([Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25-31 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Instructions")). Chapter 35 initiates this phase by recounting Moses' assembly of the Israelite congregation, his reiteration of the Sabbath command, and the call for freewill offerings of materials for the sanctuary's construction. Verses 10-19 provide a comprehensive inventory of all the components to be fabricated, ranging from the Ark of the Covenant to the various elements of the Tabernacle proper and its surrounding courtyard. This particular verse, therefore, focuses on the external boundary of the sacred complex, meticulously listing its constituent parts. Its inclusion here reinforces the divine origin and paramount importance of every single component, ensuring that God's detailed instructions would be precisely executed by the skilled artisans.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle unfolded during Israel's nomadic sojourn in the wilderness, a forty-year period of transient existence subsequent to their liberation from Egyptian bondage. In this mobile environment, a portable sanctuary was indispensable, serving as the central nexus of Israel's worship and the tangible manifestation of God's abiding presence among them. Unlike the fixed, monumental temples characteristic of surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures, the Tabernacle was specifically engineered for mobility, reflecting Yahweh's journeying alongside His chosen people. The outer court, with its defining hangings, supporting pillars, and foundational sockets, functioned as a vital physical and symbolic demarcation, clearly distinguishing the consecrated space from the profane common ground of the camp. This separation was paramount for a people in the formative stages of understanding the absolute holiness of Yahweh and the structured, reverent protocol required for approaching His presence. The precise specifications, initially detailed in [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9-19 "Exodus 27:9-19 - Design of the Tabernacle Court"), were not arbitrary but conveyed profound theological truths concerning God's nature and His desire for an ordered, holy relationship with His covenant nation.

* **Key Themes:** Exodus 35:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes present throughout the book of Exodus. Foremost among these is the theme of **God's Holiness and Separation**. The meticulous design of the outer court, with its distinct boundaries, underscores the absolute purity and transcendence of Yahweh, emphasizing the necessary separation between the divine and the human, the sacred and the common. This physical demarcation served as a constant visual reminder to the Israelites of God's unapproachable glory and the reverent awe required in His presence, a concept further elaborated in passages like [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Leviticus 10:10 - Distinguishing Between Holy and Common"). Another key theme is **Divine Order and Precision**. The exhaustive detail given for every component, from the largest structure to the smallest socket, highlights God's character as a God of order, intentionality, and perfect design. This precision is not merely architectural but theological, teaching Israel that their worship and obedience must reflect God's own perfect standards. Finally, the verse implicitly points to the theme of **Access to God**. While establishing boundaries, the presence of a specific "door of the court" (though not fully described here, its existence is noted) hints at a divinely appointed means of access into God's presence, a concept that will be fully unveiled in later biblical revelation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hangings (Hebrew, _qelaʻ'_):** from קָלַע; a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself; hanging, leaf, sling. In this context, it refers to the fine linen curtains forming the perimeter walls of the Tabernacle's outer court. These hangings, approximately 7.5 feet high, established a clear physical and visual barrier, delineating the sacred space from the common ground of the Israelite camp and underscoring the holiness within.
* **Pillars (Hebrew, _ʻammûwd'_):** from עָמַד; a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform; [idiom] apiece, pillar. These were the upright supports, likely made of bronze for the outer court, which bore the weight of the linen hangings. They provided the essential structural integrity for the court's walls, ensuring the stability and defined shape of the sacred enclosure. Their presence signifies the fixed points from which the boundary of God's dwelling was established.
* **Sockets (Hebrew, _ʼeden'_):** from the same as אָדוֹן (in the sense of strength); a basis (of a building, a column, etc.); foundation, socket. These were the heavy, foundational bases, also made of bronze for the outer court, into which the pillars were securely set. The sockets provided crucial stability, anchoring the entire court structure to the ground. They represent the unseen, yet indispensable, support system that allowed the visible elements of the Tabernacle to stand firm, emphasizing the importance of a solid foundation for all aspects of divine worship and order.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The hangings of the court":** This phrase refers to the fine twined linen curtains that formed the enclosing walls of the outer courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle proper. These hangings served a dual purpose: they visually defined the sacred perimeter, distinguishing the consecrated area from the common ground of the Israelite camp, and they physically communicated the holiness of the space within, signifying the need for a distinct and reverent approach to God's presence.
* **"his pillars, and their sockets":** The possessive "his" refers to the court, indicating that these pillars belonged to and supported the court's hangings. These upright supports, likely constructed of bronze for the outer court, held the linen curtains aloft. The "sockets" were the heavy bronze bases into which the pillars were firmly inserted, providing essential stability and anchoring the entire structure to the ground. This detail underscores the meticulous engineering and foundational stability required for God's dwelling place, ensuring its permanence even in a nomadic setting.
* **"and the hanging for the door of the court":** This specifies the particular curtain that functioned as the sole entrance gate to the outer court. Unlike the plain linen hangings of the court walls, this entrance curtain was more elaborately designed, likely woven with blue, purple, and scarlet material and fine twined linen, featuring embroidered work, as described in [Exodus 27:16](/exodus/27-16 "Exodus 27:16 - The Gate of the Court"). It represented the single, divinely appointed point of access into the sacred precinct, symbolically foreshadowing that there is only one prescribed way to approach the Holy One.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Metonymy** by listing specific constituent components—the hangings, pillars, sockets, and the door hanging—to represent the entirety of the Tabernacle's outer court. This particularizing focus on individual parts serves to emphasize the divine precision and the holistic nature of God's architectural blueprint, wherein every minute detail contributes indispensably to the sacred whole. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is profoundly evident throughout the description. The "hangings of the court" fundamentally symbolize separation and holiness, creating a tangible barrier that visually instructed the Israelites about God's transcendence and the crucial distinction between the sacred and the profane. The inclusion of the "hanging for the door" further symbolizes the singular, divinely appointed means of access into God's presence, conveying the profound theological truth that approach to the divine is not arbitrary but must occur exclusively according to God's prescribed way.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 35:17, though seemingly a technical detail in the Tabernacle's construction, powerfully reinforces several core theological themes intrinsic to the Pentateuch. It speaks directly to God's immutable nature as a God of **order and precision**, where every component of His dwelling place, down to the foundational sockets, is divinely specified and imbued with significance. This meticulousness underscores the absolute **holiness of God** and the indispensable necessity of a structured, reverent approach to His presence. The court's hangings established a clear physical and symbolic boundary, teaching Israel about the profound distinction between the sacred and the common, and highlighting the unique privilege and solemn responsibility of being a people set apart for God. The singular "hanging for the door" also subtly introduces the profound theological theme of **exclusive access**, hinting that there is only one divinely appointed way to draw near to the Holy One, a concept that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ.

* [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9-19 "Detailed Instructions for the Court")
* [Leviticus 10:10](/leviticus/10-10 "Distinguishing Between Holy and Common")
* [Hebrews 9:1-5](/hebrews/9-1-5 "Description of the Earthly Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise details outlined in Exodus 35:17 compel us to consider the profound implications of God's character and our appropriate response to Him. Just as God meticulously designed every element of the Tabernacle's court, from its defining hangings to its foundational sockets, He reveals Himself as a God of unparalleled order, intentionality, and holiness. This profound truth teaches us that our approach to God should never be haphazard, casual, or presumptuous, but rather marked by deep reverence, intentionality, and a profound recognition of His supreme holiness. Furthermore, the concept of sacred boundaries, powerfully symbolized by the court hangings, serves as a timeless reminder to believers of the New Testament call to be a people set apart. While we no longer inhabit a physical temple court, our lives as followers of Christ are unequivocally meant to be distinct, reflecting God's holy character in a fallen and chaotic world. Every detail of our existence—our thoughts, words, actions, and even our motivations—can either contribute to or detract from the sanctity of our walk with God. This verse, therefore, encourages us to serve God with unwavering diligence and meticulous attention to detail, understanding that even the seemingly small acts of obedience contribute significantly to the larger, magnificent tapestry of His kingdom work and our personal sanctification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to embrace more divine order and intentionality, reflecting God's character?**
* **How does the concept of "boundaries" for God's holy presence translate into your daily walk as a believer in a secular world?**
* **What "small details" in your service or worship of God might need greater diligence and attention?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Tabernacle's outer court and its hangings?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Tabernacle's outer court and its hangings was to establish a clearly defined, sacred space that physically and symbolically separated the Tabernacle proper from the common ground of the Israelite camp. This crucial boundary visually and experientially taught the Israelites about God's absolute holiness and the indispensable necessity of a distinct, reverent approach to His presence. It functioned as a buffer zone, permitting only those who were ceremonially clean and authorized to enter, thereby protecting the people from God's consuming holiness while simultaneously facilitating His dwelling among them. Beyond its symbolic role, the hangings also provided essential privacy for the sacred rituals performed within the court, as detailed in [Exodus 27:9-19](/exodus/27-9-19 "Exodus 27:9-19 - Design of the Tabernacle Court").

**Why did God require such precise details for every part of the Tabernacle, even the court components?**

Answer: God required such meticulous details for several profound and interconnected reasons. Firstly, it underscored His intrinsic nature as a God of perfect order, not chaos, demonstrating His precise and intentional design for all creation and redemption. Secondly, this exacting specificity emphasized His absolute holiness; His dwelling place demanded nothing less than perfection and unwavering adherence to His divine standards. Thirdly, it served as a crucial test and demonstration of the Israelites' obedience and faith. Their divine mandate was not to innovate but to faithfully execute God's revealed will, thereby instilling in them the vital importance of submission to divine authority and the discipline of following divine instruction. Finally, every single detail of the Tabernacle, including the seemingly minor components of the court, was rich with profound symbolic meaning, serving as a prophetic shadow and foreshadowing of aspects of Christ and the new covenant, which required precise fulfillment for their ultimate spiritual significance to be realized (see [Hebrews 9:1-10](/hebrews/9-1-10 "Hebrews 9:1-10 - The Earthly Sanctuary and Its Services")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The outer court of the Tabernacle, with its defining hangings, supporting pillars, and crucially, its single entrance gate, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The very concept of a separated, holy space, accessible only through a designated "door," points directly to Jesus, who emphatically 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 physical barriers of the court, which once served to separate a sinful humanity from a holy God, are now eternally superseded by Christ's complete and perfect atoning work. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus did not merely tear the veil of the inner sanctuary (symbolized in the Tabernacle's design), but effectively opened a new and living way into the very presence of God for all believers ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19-20 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - Access Through the Veil")). The pillars and their foundational sockets, which provided essential stability for the earthly sanctuary, are now fulfilled in Christ, who is revealed as the indispensable cornerstone and the very foundation of God's true spiritual temple, the Church ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone")). We, as believers, are no longer confined to an outer court of limited access but are graciously invited into intimate, unhindered fellowship with God through the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). The meticulous design of the Tabernacle court, therefore, stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering and precise plan to provide perfect access to Himself, a plan fully and gloriously realized in the person and redemptive work of His Son, 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.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 7:2

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

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 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:

Exodus 27:19

All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, [shall be of] brass.