The Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, served as the portable earthly dwelling place of God among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness. The design and dimensions of the Tabernacle were divinely revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. The outer court of the Tabernacle was a significant component of this sacred structure, measuring one hundred cubits in length and fifty cubits in width.

Biblical Description and Dimensions

The specifications for the Tabernacle's court are detailed in Exodus 27:9-19. The court was enclosed by curtains made of fine twisted linen, supported by pillars and bronze bases. The length of the court was one hundred cubits, and its width was fifty cubits, creating a rectangular enclosure. The height of the curtains was five cubits, providing a sense of separation and sanctity from the surrounding camp.

Exodus 27:18 states: "The entire courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of fine twisted linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases."

Symbolism and Function

The court of the Tabernacle served multiple purposes, both practical and symbolic. It was the designated area where the Israelites could come to offer sacrifices and worship God. The altar of burnt offering and the bronze basin were located within this court, facilitating the sacrificial system that was central to Israelite worship.

Symbolically, the court represented the separation between the holy presence of God and the common world. The linen curtains acted as a barrier, emphasizing the holiness and purity required to approach God. The dimensions of the court, with its precise measurements, reflect the order and intentionality of God's design for worship.

Access and Orientation

The entrance to the court was located on the eastern side, aligning with the entrance to the Tabernacle itself. This orientation held theological significance, as it symbolized the direction of God's presence and the path of approach for the worshiper. The eastern gate was covered by a curtain of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine twisted linen, as described in Exodus 27:16.

Materials and Construction

The materials used in the construction of the court were chosen for their durability and symbolic meaning. The bronze bases and pillars provided stability, while the fine linen curtains signified purity and righteousness. The use of bronze, a metal associated with judgment and strength, underscored the seriousness of approaching a holy God.

Theological Implications

The court of the Tabernacle, with its specific dimensions and materials, reflects the broader theological themes of holiness, separation, and access to God. It served as a constant reminder to the Israelites of the sanctity required in their relationship with God and the provision He made for their worship and atonement.

The court's design also foreshadowed the coming of Christ, who would ultimately fulfill the sacrificial system and provide direct access to God for all believers. As the Apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 2:13 , "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ."

In summary, the court of the Tabernacle was a vital component of Israelite worship, embodying the principles of holiness, order, and divine presence. Its dimensions and design continue to offer rich insights into the nature of worship and the relationship between God and His people.Exodus 27:18
The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Scriptural Types.
... Surrounding the tabernacle was a court one hundred cubits long and fifty wide, enclosed
by curtains of fine-twined linen supported on pillars five cubits high. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

A Discourse
... medium of the Queen and her licentious court, composed principally of ... And as this
tabernacle and ark were to be ... hundred shekels of gold went to one target, and ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

Apion Book 1 Footnotes
... an English acre, and just twice the area of the court of the Jewish tabernacle,]
as contained in the country of Judea, will be about one third of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/against apion/apion book 1 footnotes.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... temple, looking towards the altar, the court, and them ... the porch was in height an
hundred and twenty ... One excellent ornament, therefore, of this temple was, for ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Reaction against Egypt
... used for purposes of worship, but the court of the ... This basin is divided into two
parts, one of which ... by a rocky barrier barely five hundred cubits in width. ...
/.../chapter iithe reaction against egypt.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... a massacre ensued, from which six hundred Benjamites only ... even when a truce was made
at one locality, the ... the women who "served at the door of" the tabernacle. ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

What was the tabernacle of David? | GotQuestions.org

What was the tabernacle of Moses? | GotQuestions.org

What were the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place in the temple / tabernacle? | GotQuestions.org

Tabernacle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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