Exodus 38:18
And the hanging for the gate of the court was needlework, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
Exodus 38:18 · King James Version
Meaning
The verse describes the construction of the gate of the court in the Tabernacle, a sacred tent used for worship by the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness. The gate was adorned with intricate needlework done in blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. These colors held significant symbolism in the ancient world, with blue representing the heavens, purple symbolizing royalty, scarlet signifying blood and sacrifice, and white linen denoting purity. The twenty cubits length of the gate and its five cubits height in breadth were designed to match the hangings of the court, emphasizing the importance of symmetry and order in the design of the Tabernacle. This attention to detail in the construction of the gate reflects the Israelites' dedication to creating a sacred space for worship and connecting with the divine presence. Overall, this verse highlights the meticulous craftsmanship and spiritual significance of the Tabernacle's design, illustrating the reverence and care with which the Israelites approached their worship.
Theological Overview
One interesting theological interpretation of this verse is the significance of the colors mentioned in the description of the gate hanging for the court. The colors blue, purple, and scarlet have been traditionally associated with royalty and divinity in ancient cultures, including the Hebrews. Blue symbolizes the heavens and the divine nature of God, purple represents royalty and kingship, while scarlet signifies sacrifice and atonement. The fine twined linen used in the gate hanging suggests purity and righteousness. Therefore, this intricate needlework gate serves as a visual representation of the holiness and majesty of God, welcoming worshippers into His presence with reverence and awe.
Furthermore, the measurements of the gate hanging (twenty cubits in length and five cubits in height) are significant in their symbolism as well. The number twenty is often associated with completeness and wholeness, while the number five represents grace and God's covenant with His people. Thus, the gate hanging not only serves a practical function of delineating the entrance to the court but also conveys spiritual truths about the nature of God and His relationship with humanity.
Exodus 38:18 in other translations
American Standard Version
And the screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen: and twenty cubits was the length, and the height in the breadth was five cubits, answerable to the hangings of the court.
World English Bible
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 breadth was five cubits, like to the hangings of the court.
Douay-Rheims
And he made in the entry thereof an embroidered hanging of violet, purple, scarlet, and fine twisted linen, that was twenty cubits long, and five cubits high, according to the measure of all the hangings of the court.
Geneva Bible (1599)
He made also the hanging of the gate of the court of needle worke, blewe silke, and purple, and skarlet, and fine twined linen euen twentie cubites long, and fiue cubites in height and bredth, like the hangings of the court.