King James Version

What Does Exodus 38:13 Mean?

Exodus 38:13 in the King James Version says “And for the east side eastward fifty cubits. — study this verse from Exodus chapter 38 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.

Exodus 38:13 · KJV


Context

11

And for the north side the hangings were an hundred cubits, their pillars were twenty, and their sockets of brass twenty; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

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.

13

And for the east side eastward fifty cubits.

14

The hangings of the one side of the gate were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

15

And for the other side of the court gate, on this hand and that hand, were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The east side (פְּאַת קֵדְמָה מִזְרָחָה, pe'at kedmah mizrachah, 'east side toward the sunrise') at fifty cubits establishes the courtyard's entrance orientation. Facing east meant worshipers approached moving westward, away from the rising sun—a deliberate rejection of solar deity worship common in surrounding cultures. This orientation teaches that approaching God requires turning from created things to the Creator (Romans 1:25). The east entrance also recalls Eden's eastern entry (Genesis 3:24), now reopened through sacrificial system pointing to Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The eastern entrance faced the sunrise, requiring worshipers to enter with the sun at their backs—turning from sun to approach God's dwelling. This orientation contrasted sharply with Egyptian and Canaanite temples often oriented toward the sun. The deliberate eastward entrance demonstrated Israel's distinct worship of YHWH, not celestial bodies.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the eastward entrance (requiring turning from sunrise) teach about rejecting creation-worship for Creator-worship?
  2. How does the eastern orientation connect Eden's closed eastern entrance to the tabernacle's opened eastern access through sacrifice?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 5 words
וְלִפְאַ֛ת1 of 5

side

H6285

properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e., direction, region, extremity

קֵ֥דְמָה2 of 5

And for the east

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

מִזְרָ֖חָה3 of 5

eastward

H4217

sunrise, i.e., the east

חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים4 of 5

fifty

H2572

fifty

אַמָּֽה׃5 of 5

cubits

H520

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)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Exodus. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Exodus 38:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study