Exodus 38:12
And for the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
Original Language Analysis
וְלִפְאַת
side
H6285
וְלִפְאַת
side
Strong's:
H6285
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity
יָ֗ם
And for the west
H3220
יָ֗ם
And for the west
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
2 of 13
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
קְלָעִים֙
were hangings
H7050
קְלָעִים֙
were hangings
Strong's:
H7050
Word #:
3 of 13
a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself
בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה
cubits
H520
בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
5 of 13
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)
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
H5982
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
6 of 13
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם
and their sockets
H134
וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם
and their sockets
Strong's:
H134
Word #:
8 of 13
a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
H5982
הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים
of the pillars
Strong's:
H5982
Word #:
11 of 13
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
Historical Context
The western wall backed the tabernacle structure (which faced east), creating enclosed courtyard with entrance on east side. The fifty-cubit width accommodated the tabernacle's dimensions plus working space for priests. This westward orientation meant the Most Holy Place occupied the farthest point from the entrance—requiring progression through degrees of holiness.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the westward orientation (away from sun-worship) teach about God's opposition to idolatry?
- How does the progressive distance (entrance to altar to laver to Holy Place to Most Holy Place) illustrate degrees of intimacy in approaching God?
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Analysis & Commentary
The west side (פְּאַת־יָם, pe'at-yam, literally 'seaward side') at fifty cubits (approximately 75 feet) with ten pillars and ten sockets demonstrates proportional design—half the length of north/south sides creates rectangular courtyard. This western wall backed the tabernacle itself, forming solid boundary beyond which was wilderness, teaching that behind God's dwelling is nothing but His sovereign choice to dwell among His people. The west faced away from sunrise (east), away from pagan sun-worship, teaching that God's presence definitively opposes idolatry.