Exodus 38:14

KJV

The hangings of the one side [of the gate were] fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

KJV (with Strong's)

The hangings {H7050} of the one side {H3802} of the gate were fifteen {H2568}{H6240} cubits {H520}; their pillars {H5982} three {H7969}, and their sockets {H134} three {H7969}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The tapestries for the one side [of the gateway] were twenty-two-and-a-half feet long, hung on three posts in three sockets;

Berean Standard Bible

The curtains on one side of the entrance were fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases.

American Standard Version

The hangings for the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 38:14 meticulously details the construction of one side of the Tabernacle courtyard's gate, specifying that its hangings were fifteen cubits long, supported by three pillars, which in turn rested upon three corresponding sockets. This precise description, part of the broader account of the Tabernacle's construction, underscores the divine blueprint's exactness and the Israelites' faithful adherence to God's instructions for His dwelling place, emphasizing order, holiness, and the meticulous nature of true worship.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 38 is situated within the larger narrative of the Tabernacle's construction, following the detailed divine instructions given in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - God's Blueprint for the Tabernacle"). After the initial command to build God's dwelling ([Exodus 25:8](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8 - God's Command to Build the Sanctuary")), Moses received intricate plans for every component. Chapters [Exodus 35-40](/exodus/35 "Exodus 35-40 - The Construction and Erection of the Tabernacle") then describe the actual execution of these plans by skilled artisans like Bezalel and Oholiab. Specifically, [Exodus 38:9-20](/exodus/38-9 "Exodus 38:9-20 - Description of the Tabernacle Courtyard") focuses on the courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle, detailing its dimensions, materials, and the number of pillars and sockets. Verse 14, along with [Exodus 38:15](/exodus/38-15 "Exodus 38:15 - The Other Side of the Gate"), provides the specific measurements for the gate, the sole entrance to this sacred outer perimeter, highlighting the meticulous fulfillment of God's architectural blueprint.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's wilderness wanderings, a pivotal period following their liberation from Egyptian slavery and the covenant established at Mount Sinai. As a nomadic people, a portable sanctuary was essential for God's presence to dwell among them. The detailed specifications, including measurements like the cubit, were common in ancient Near Eastern temple construction, reflecting a cultural understanding that sacred spaces required precise, divinely ordained designs. The use of fine linen for hangings ([Exodus 27:9](/exodus/27-9 "Exodus 27:9 - Courtyard Hangings")) and bronze for sockets ([Exodus 38:17](/exodus/38-17 "Exodus 38:17 - Bronze Sockets for the Courtyard")) indicates valuable materials dedicated to God's service, emphasizing the sanctity and importance of the structure. The entire project was a communal effort, with the people contributing materials and skilled craftsmen executing the work, demonstrating their obedience and devotion to the Lord who had redeemed them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hangings (Hebrew, _qela'im'_):** Refers to the curtains or tapestries, specifically those forming the walls of the Tabernacle courtyard and the gate. These were typically made of fine twisted linen, signifying purity and holiness. Their purpose was to define the sacred space, separating it from the common ground and controlling access.
* **Cubits (Hebrew, _'ammah'_):** An ancient unit of linear measurement, approximately 18-21 inches (45-53 cm), based on the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. The repeated use of "cubits" throughout the Tabernacle descriptions underscores the divine precision and exactness required in its construction, leaving no room for human estimation or deviation.
* **Sockets (Hebrew, _'eden'_):** These were the bases or foundations into which the pillars were set. In the Tabernacle courtyard, these sockets were made of bronze ([Exodus 38:10](/exodus/38-10 "Exodus 38:10 - Bronze Sockets for the Courtyard")), providing stability and support for the pillars and the hangings they held. Their presence emphasizes the foundational stability and structural integrity of God's dwelling place.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The hangings of the one side [of the gate were] fifteen cubits":** This specifies the length of the curtain that formed one segment of the Tabernacle courtyard gate. Fifteen cubits (approximately 22.5-26.25 feet or 6.8-8 meters) indicates a significant width for this section of the entrance, contributing to the overall dimensions of the gate which was twenty cubits wide ([Exodus 38:18](/exodus/38-18 "Exodus 38:18 - Dimensions of the Gate")). The "hangings" were the visual barrier and symbolic boundary.
* **"their pillars three":** This indicates that this fifteen-cubit section of the gate's hanging was supported by three upright posts. These pillars were crucial for holding the curtains aloft and defining the gateway's structure. The number "three" suggests a specific, divinely ordained arrangement, ensuring stability and proper form.
* **"and their sockets three":** Corresponding to the three pillars, there were three sockets. These foundational bases, likely made of bronze, anchored the pillars firmly into the ground. This detail highlights the meticulousness of the construction, ensuring that every supporting element was accounted for and properly secured according to God's precise blueprint.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Exodus 38:14, and indeed throughout the Tabernacle construction accounts, is **Precision** and **Detailed Enumeration**. The text provides exact measurements ("fifteen cubits") and specific quantities ("three pillars," "three sockets"), leaving no ambiguity. This meticulous recounting serves to emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for exact obedience in worship and service. It also highlights the **Fidelity** of the Israelite craftsmen in executing every divine command. The repetition of such detailed specifications across multiple verses creates a sense of **Order** and **Completeness**, underscoring that the Tabernacle was built precisely "as the Lord commanded Moses" ([Exodus 38:22](/exodus/38-22 "Exodus 38:22 - Bezalel's Obedience")). This literary style reinforces the theological truth that God is a God of order, who cares about the minutiae of His dwelling place and the means by which His people approach Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 38:14, though seemingly a dry architectural detail, profoundly communicates God's nature and His relationship with humanity. The divine precision in every measurement and component of the Tabernacle underscores God's absolute sovereignty and His demand for order in worship. This meticulousness signifies that access to His holy presence is not arbitrary but strictly on His terms, through His appointed means. The gate, with its specific dimensions and supporting structures, served as the singular point of entry into the sacred courtyard, symbolizing that God establishes the way to Himself. The faithful execution of these commands by the Israelites also highlights the theme of obedience as a foundational aspect of covenant relationship, demonstrating that true worship involves diligent adherence to God's revealed will.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Build According to the Pattern")
* [Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Tabernacle as a Shadow")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Exodus 38:14, with its focus on precise measurements and components of the Tabernacle gate, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, who cares deeply about the details of our lives and our worship. Just as the Israelites were called to meticulous obedience in constructing His dwelling, we are called to faithfulness in following God's revealed will in every area. This verse encourages us to pay attention to the "small" details of our faith—our integrity, our words, our hidden motives—understanding that even these seemingly minor aspects reflect our reverence for God and our commitment to His design. It teaches us that true access to God is always on His terms, not ours, and that His way is always perfect and precise. Furthermore, it challenges us to consider if our lives, individually and corporately, reflect the same divine order and intentionality that God demanded for His ancient sanctuary.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be neglecting "small" details that God cares about, believing them to be insignificant?**
* **How does the precision of the Tabernacle's construction inform my understanding of God's character and His expectations for my worship and obedience?**
* **Considering the gate as the sole entry point, what does this teach me about the nature of access to God's presence today?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "fifteen cubits" for the hangings of the gate?**

Answer: The fifteen cubits (approximately 22.5 to 26.25 feet) specified for one side of the gate's hangings is a precise measurement that contributes to the overall dimensions of the Tabernacle courtyard's entrance. The entire gate was twenty cubits wide ([Exodus 38:18](/exodus/38-18 "Exodus 38:18 - Dimensions of the Gate")), meaning this verse describes a significant portion of the entry. The exactness of this measurement underscores God's demand for precision in the construction of His dwelling, symbolizing that access to His holy presence is on His terms and according to His detailed plan, not human discretion. It also highlights the meticulous obedience of the craftsmen in following the divine blueprint.

**Why are the number of pillars and sockets mentioned specifically?**

Answer: The specific mention of "three pillars" and "three sockets" for this section of the gate emphasizes the divine order and structural integrity required for the Tabernacle. Pillars provided support for the hangings, while sockets anchored the pillars firmly. This detail reinforces the theme of God's meticulous planning and the necessity of every component being exactly as commanded. It ensures stability, defines the boundaries of the sacred space, and highlights the comprehensive nature of God's instructions for His dwelling place among His people. Every part, no matter how seemingly small, was essential to the whole and divinely ordained.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous details of the Tabernacle gate in Exodus 38:14, with its precise measurements and supporting structures, find their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle, as a whole, was a "copy and shadow of the heavenly things" ([Hebrews 8:5](/hebrews/8-5 "Hebrews 8:5 - The Tabernacle as a Shadow")), and its gate prefigured the singular, divinely appointed way to God. Just as the gate was the only entrance into the Tabernacle courtyard, 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 "hangings" that defined the sacred space, separating the holy from the common, point to Christ's flesh, which was torn on the cross, opening a new and living way into the holiest place ([Hebrews 10:19-20](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-20 - The New and Living Way")). The "pillars" and "sockets" that provided stability and support for the gate foreshadow Christ as the foundation and cornerstone of God's spiritual temple, the Church ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). In Christ, the precision and order of the Old Covenant sanctuary are perfectly realized, offering not merely symbolic access, but direct, eternal access to God's presence through His finished work, making Him the ultimate fulfillment of every detail in God's redemptive plan.

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.