Exodus 27:11
And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
Original Language Analysis
וְכֵ֨ן
H3651
וְכֵ֨ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
לִפְאַ֤ת
side
H6285
לִפְאַ֤ת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
צָפוֹן֙
And likewise for the north
H6828
צָפוֹן֙
And likewise for the north
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
קְלָעִ֖ים
there shall be hangings
H7050
קְלָעִ֖ים
there shall be hangings
Strong's:
H7050
Word #:
5 of 16
a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself
מֵ֣אָה
of an hundred
H3967
מֵ֣אָה
of an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
6 of 16
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
H5982
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
8 of 16
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
נְחֹ֔שֶׁת
of brass
H5178
נְחֹ֔שֶׁת
of brass
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
12 of 16
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
H5982
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
14 of 16
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
Historical Context
The north side's identical construction to the south created a 100-cubit parallel wall, forming the courtyard's length. The silver hooks and bands connected the pillars, creating a unified fence that supported the linen hangings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's consistency (identical north and south) encourage trust in His unchanging character?
- What aspects of Christ's work remain constant regardless of how people approach Him?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The north side receives identical treatment—twenty pillars, twenty bronze sockets, silver hooks and silver fillets (bands connecting pillars). The symmetry emphasizes that God's standards are consistent, not variable based on approach direction. North or south, the same righteousness (linen), same judgment foundation (bronze), same redeeming connections (silver hooks/bands) apply. Christ is 'the same yesterday, today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).