Exodus 38:15 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And so for the other side. On both sides of the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases.

NIV: and curtains fifteen cubits long were on the other side of the entrance to the courtyard, with three posts and three bases.

NASB: and so for the other side. On both sides of the gate of the courtyard were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three bases.

CSB: It was the same for the other side of the courtyard gate. The hangings were 22½ feet, including their three posts and their three bases.

NLT: The curtain on the left side was also 22 1/2 feet long and was supported by three posts set into three bases.

KJV: And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

NKJV: and the same for the other side of the court gate; on this side and that were hangings of fifteen cubits, with their three pillars and their three sockets.

Exodus 38:9–20 duplicates the instructions given in Exodus 27:9–19. Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) carefully follows the Lord's designs to make a courtyard for the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). This is a large open area creating space around the tabernacle itself. In the courtyard are a sacrificial altar (Exodus 27:1) and a washbasin (Exodus 30:18).

God's assigned manager, Bezalel, oversees construction of more items for the Lord's sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This chapter focuses on the components seen in the tabernacle courtyard, including the sacrificial altar and a washbasin. Scripture also records the quantity of metal donated to tabernacle construction. The total is several tons of silver, gold, and bronze.

Under the supervision of Bezalel (Exodus 35:30), Israel has followed God's exact plans for constructing the sanctuary. The Lord gave designs to Moses (Exodus 25—31). Most of the text in this long section is a near-duplication of those same words (Exodus 35—37). This emphasizes the care which Israel used to obey the Lord in this project. Final items are made in the next chapter (Exodus 39) before being assembled into the finished sanctuary (Exodus 40).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 10/7/2025 10:10:03 AM