Exodus 27:16

Authorized King James Version

And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּלְשַׁ֨עַר
And for the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#2
הֶֽחָצֵ֜ר
of the court
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
#3
מָסָ֣ךְ׀
shall be an hanging
a cover, i.e., veil
#4
עֶשְׂרִ֣ים
of twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#5
אַמָּ֗ה
cubits
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
#6
תְּכֵ֨לֶת
of blue
the cerulean mussel, i.e., the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith
#7
וְאַרְגָּמָ֜ן
and purple
purple (the color or the dyed stuff)
#8
וְתוֹלַ֧עַת
a maggot (as voracious); specifically (often with ellipsis of h8144) the crimson-grub, but used only (in this connection) of the color from it, and cl
#9
שָׁנִ֛י
and scarlet
crimson, properly, the insect or its color, also stuff dyed with it
#10
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ
linen
bleached stuff, i.e., white linen or (by analogy) marble
#11
מָשְׁזָ֖ר
and fine twined
to twist (a thread of straw)
#12
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
#13
רֹקֵ֑ם
wrought with needlework
to variegate color, i.e., embroider; by implication, to fabricate
#14
עַמֻּֽדֵיהֶם֙
and their pillars
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
#15
אַרְבָּעָֽה׃
four
four
#16
וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם
and their sockets
a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)
#17
אַרְבָּעָֽה׃
four
four

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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