Exodus 38:18 - The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the width was five cubits, like to the hangings of the court.

Generated Verse: Exodus 38:18

What does "Exodus 38:18" mean?


This verse from Exodus 38:18 describes the screen or curtain used as the gate for the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Let's break down what it means:

"The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer...": This tells us that the gate was not a solid door, but a decorative, woven screen or curtain. The fact that it was "the work of the embroiderer" indicates it was skillfully and elaborately made, likely with intricate designs or patterns.

"...of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen.": These were the materials used in creating the screen.
Blue, purple, and scarlet were expensive and symbolic dyes. In the Tabernacle, these colors were typically associated with royalty, divinity, and atonement (sacrifice).
Fine twined linen was a high-quality, durable fabric that served as the base material.

"Twenty cubits was the length...": This describes the width of the gate. A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equal to the length of a forearm (approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters). So, 20 cubits would be about 30 feet or 9 meters wide.

"...and the height in the width was five cubits, like to the hangings of the court.": This describes the height of the gate. Five cubits would be about 7.5 feet or 2.25 meters high. The phrase "like to the hangings of the court" indicates that the gate screen was the same height as the other curtains that enclosed the courtyard.

In summary, this verse describes a beautiful, well-crafted screen made of valuable materials that served as the entrance to the Tabernacle courtyard. The dimensions provided give us an idea of its size, and the use of specific colors and materials suggests its importance and symbolic significance.

Significance and Purpose

The gate screen served several purposes:

Entrance and Exit: It provided the designated access point to the Tabernacle courtyard.
Distinction: It visually separated the holy space of the Tabernacle from the outside world, reinforcing the idea of sacredness.
Aesthetics: Its beautiful design and costly materials added to the overall majesty and splendor of the Tabernacle, demonstrating the Israelites' devotion to God.
Symbolism: The colors used in the screen likely held symbolic meaning related to the presence and attributes of God.

This verse provides a glimpse into the careful attention to detail and the rich symbolism that characterized the construction of the Tabernacle.

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