Exodus 27:13 — Word Study
WLCוְרֹ֣חַב הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר לִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אַמָּֽה׃
BSAThe eastqedem [toward the sunrise, facing the morning] sidepêʼâh [edge, border] of the courtyardchâtsêr [court, open space] toward the sunrisemizrâch [eastward, to the front] [is to be] fiftychămishshîym [a measurement of quantity] cubitsʼammâh [a unit of length, about the forearm's length] widerôchab [in breadth, having a certain width]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְרֹ֣חַב | and [the] breadth of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר | the courtyard | Particle, noun common both singular absolute |
| לִפְאַ֛ת | to [the] side of | Preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| קֵ֥דְמָה | east -ward | Noun common masculine singular absolute, suffix |
| מִזְרָ֖חָה | east -ward | Noun common masculine singular absolute, suffix |
| חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים | [will be] fifty | Adj |
| אַמָּֽה׃ | cubit[s] | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide. |
| KJV | And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. |
| ASV | And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. |
| YLT | And [for] the breadth of the court at the east side, eastward, [are] fifty cubits. |
| WEB | The width of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. |
| BBE | And on the east side the space is to be fifty cubits wide. |
Where they part company is רֹחַב — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause states the measurement, with additional phrases providing context and direction.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 27:13
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Dimensions of the Courtyardgenerated
Exodus 27:13 provides specific measurements for the courtyard of the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of precise dimensions in the construction of sacred spaces. This verse details the width of the east side, which is significant for the overall layout and orientation of the tabernacle, aligning with the direction of the sunrise.
Cross References
The Key Word — רֹחַב, ve.Ro.chavgenerated
The word רֹחַב (rochab) is a noun meaning width or breadth, derived from a root that conveys the idea of being wide. It is used here to describe the physical size of the courtyard's east side, indicating a specific measurement that is crucial for the tabernacle's design.
In this context, רֹחַב emphasizes the importance of exact dimensions in the construction of sacred spaces, reflecting the need for order and precision in the worship practices of the Israelites.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main clause is governed by the noun phrase וְרֹ֣חַב, and the breadth of, which is followed by a series of phrases detailing the subject and its attributes. The structure indicates a straightforward declaration of the courtyard's dimensions, with the prepositional phrase לִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה specifying its orientation toward the east.
The use of noun phrases and prepositional phrases creates a clear and direct statement about the courtyard's measurements, emphasizing the importance of the eastward orientation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רֹחַב as εὖρος, which also means 'width' or 'breadth.' This choice maintains the focus on the physical dimensions of the courtyard, aligning with the Hebrew meaning.
The translation reflects a consistent understanding of the term across both Hebrew and Greek texts, emphasizing the significance of spatial measurements in the context of the tabernacle.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 27:13 states that the east side of the courtyard is to be fifty cubits wide. This measurement is important for the layout of the tabernacle, ensuring that the structure is built with precise dimensions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, so fifty cubits would be approximately 75 feet.
The east side is significant as it faces the sunrise, symbolizing new beginnings and the presence of God.
This verse provides specific instructions that contribute to the overall design and function of the tabernacle as a holy space for worship.
Yes, other verses in Exodus provide additional measurements for different parts of the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of precise construction.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What significance do the dimensions of the tabernacle hold for the Israelites?
- How does the orientation of the tabernacle affect its spiritual symbolism?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of precision and order in our own lives?
- What does the concept of 'east' represent in biblical terms?
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 27:13 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the breadth of the court on the east side eastward,.... Which was the entrance into it: shall be fifty cubits; the east end and west end were of the same measure.
Read John Gill on Exodus 27 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 27 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13) On the east side eastward.—Rather, in front, towards the east. Both the tabernacle and the Temple faced to the east, which was regarded as “the front of the world” by the Orientals generally. The belief was probably connected with the sun’s rising, towards which men in early times looked anxiously. It was, however, a belief quite separate from sun-worship.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 27 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges13. on the east side eastward] Heb. on the front [i.e. on the east: see on Joe 2:20] towards the (sun-)rising: cf. on Exodus 26:18.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 27 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible12-18. Breadth of the court — The court was one hundred cubits long and fifty broad, (150 x 75 feet,) and its linen fence five cubits high.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 27 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide.
The width of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide.
The width of the court on the east side, toward the sunrise, is to be seventy-five feet.
Tyndale line
And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
And the breadth of the court, Eastwarde full East shall haue fiftie cubites.
Strictly literal
— And the breadth of the court on the east side, eastward, fifty cubits;
And [for] the breadth of the court at the east side, eastward, [are] fifty cubits.
And the breadth of the court at the east side, eastward, [is] fifty cubits.
And the breadth of the court on the front side, eastward, shall be fifty cubits.
The courtyard must also be fifty cubits long on the east side.
From the Latin
In that breadth also of the court, which looketh to the east, there shall be fifty cubits.
Simplified
The east side of the courtyard that faces the sunrise is to be fifty cubits wide.
And on the east side the space is to be fifty cubits wide.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text states, "וְרֹ֣חַב הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר לִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אַמָּֽה׃" The Samaritan Pentateuch agrees with the Masoretic Text word for word. The Septuagint matches five of the seven words in a different order, but does not provide a direct translation here. The Dead Sea Scrolls (4Q11 and 4Q22) contain partial text with some words restored by an editor, but they also align closely with the Masoretic Text in meaning. Overall, the Samaritan Pentateuch and the Masoretic Text agree completely, while the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls show some variations in wording but maintain the same essential message.
וְרֹ֣חַב הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר לִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אַמָּֽה׃
5 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ורחב החצר לפאת קדמה מזרחה חמשׁים אמה
Agrees with the Masoretic Text here, word for word.
[ורחב] החצר [לפאת] [קדמ׳ה] [מזרח׳ה] [חמשים] [אמה]
1 word on the leather — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
[ורחב] [החצר] [לפאת] קדמ׳ה מזרח׳ה [חמשים] [אמה]
1 word on the leather — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 27:13
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
רֹ֫חַב (rochab) refers to width or breadth, encompassing both literal and figurative uses. It is derived from the root word meaning to be wide. The term appears in various contexts, indicating expanse or largeness.
רֹ֫חַב 101 n.[m.] breadth, width
base
H7341 רֹ֫חַב breadth, width
7341 rochab ro'-khab
from 7337; width (literally or figuratively):--breadth,
broad, largeness, thickness, wideness.
see HEBREW for 07337
רֹ֫חַב (ro.chav) — width.
breadth, width, expanse
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חָצֵר (chatser) refers to an enclosure or court, and can also mean a settled abode, settlement, or village, typically appearing in the plural form חֲצֵרִים. The word is derived from a root meaning to enclose, indicating spaces that are surrounded by walls or fences.
חָצֵר 145 n.m. and (oftener) f. enclosure, court
base
[חָצֵר] 46 n.m. settled abode, settlement, village—always pl. abs. חֲצֵרִים
base
H2691a חָצֵר n. m. and (oftener) f. enclosure, court H2691b חָצֵר settled abode, settlement, village—always pl. abs. חֲצֵרִים
2691 chatser khaw-tsare'
(masculine and feminine); from 2690 in its original sense; a
yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly
surrounded with walls):--court, tower, village.
see HEBREW for 02690
חָצֵר (cha.tser) — court.
1) court, enclosure
1a) enclosures
1b) court
חָצֵר (cha.tser) — village.
settled abode, settlement, village, town
Art | N-cs — Particle · noun common both singular absoluteHTd/Ncbsa
פֵּאָה (pe'ah) refers to a corner or side, indicating a part that is cut off or an extremity. It is a feminine noun derived from another Hebrew word, and its meanings include corner, edge, and quarter. The entries consistently emphasize its use in describing directional or spatial aspects.
פֵּאָה 81 n.f. corner, side (part cut off)
base
H6285 פֵּאָה corner, side (part cut off)
6285 pe'ah pay-aw'
feminine of 6311; properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e.
direction, region, extremity:--corner, end, quarter, side.
see HEBREW for 06311
פֵּאָה (pe.ah) — side.
1) corner, edge, side, quarter, extremity
1a) corner
1b) side
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular constructHR/Ncfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word קֶ֫דֶם (*qedem*) means 'east' and also refers to 'front' or 'ancient time.' It is derived from another root and can indicate direction (eastward) or time (aforetime, antiquity). The entries highlight its use in various contexts, including geographical and temporal references, but do not present any significant disagreements among lexicons.
קֶ֫דֶם n.[m.] front, east, aforetime
loc.
front
East; elsewh. מִקּ׳ = eastward
temp., ancient time, aforetime:
הַרְרֵי ק׳ Dt 33:15 ancient mts.
בִּימֵי ק׳ ψ 44:2 in ancient days
מִקּ׳ from of old
ק׳ alone, as adv. anciently, of old
beginning
base
[קֵ֫דֶם], קֵ֫דְמָה adv. eastward, to, toward the E.
base
H6924a קֶ֫דֶם front, east, aforetime . loc. . front
. East
. temp. ancient time, aforetime
H6924b קֵ֫דֶם, קֵ֫דְמָה eastward, to, toward the E.
6924 qedem keh'-dem
or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; from 6923; the front, of place
(absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time
(antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently,
eastward):--aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end,
part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old,
past. Compare 6926.
see HEBREW for 06923
see HEBREW for 06926
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — East.
This name means east, antiquity, front
קֵ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — east.
adv
eastward, to or toward the East
Another spelling of qe.dem (קֶ֫דֶם ": east" H6924)
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: east.
: east
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: old.
: old/ancient
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
1a) front, from the front or east, in front, mount of the East
1b) ancient time, aforetime, ancient, from of old, earliest time
1c) anciently, of old (adverb)
1d) beginning
1e) east
קֶ֫דֶם (qe.dem) — front: forward.
: forward
1) east, antiquity, front, that which is before, aforetime
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular absolute · suffixHNcmsa/Sd
word: "Ward" and "guard" are two different spellings of the same word, and in consequence no clear line can be drawn between them. English Versions of the Bible, however, has used "guard" only in the sense of "a special body of soldiers" (Ge 37:36, etc.), while "ward" is used, not only in this sense (Jer 37:13; contrast 39:9), but also in a variety of others. So a "ward" may mean "any body of men on special duty," as 1Ch 9:23; the King James Version 1Ch 26:16; Ne 12:24,25 (the Revised Version (British and American) "watch"), or the duty itself, as Isa 21:8;
Ward
A prison (Gen. 40:3, 4); a watch-station (Isa. 21:8); a guard (Neh. 13:30).
מִזְרָח (mizrach) means 'place of sunrise' or simply 'east.' It is derived from the root meaning 'to rise' and refers to the direction of the sunrise. The entries consistently highlight its use to denote the east, both as a cardinal direction and in relation to the rising sun.
מִזְרָח n.[m.] place of sunrise, east
base
H4217 מִזְרָח place of sunrise, east
4217 mizrach miz-rawkh'
from 2224; sunrise, i.e. the east:--east (side, -ward),
(sun-)rising (of the sun).
see HEBREW for 02224
מִזְרָח (miz.rach) — East (Gate).
This name means place of sunrise, east
מִזְרָח (miz.rach) — east.
1) place of sunrise, east
1a) sunrise, east (with 'sun')
1b) the east (without 'sun')
1b1) to or toward the place of sunrise
1b2) to the east, eastward
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular absolute · suffixHNcmsa/Sd
word: "Ward" and "guard" are two different spellings of the same word, and in consequence no clear line can be drawn between them. English Versions of the Bible, however, has used "guard" only in the sense of "a special body of soldiers" (Ge 37:36, etc.), while "ward" is used, not only in this sense (Jer 37:13; contrast 39:9), but also in a variety of others. So a "ward" may mean "any body of men on special duty," as 1Ch 9:23; the King James Version 1Ch 26:16; Ne 12:24,25 (the Revised Version (British and American) "watch"), or the duty itself, as Isa 21:8;
Ward
A prison (Gen. 40:3, 4); a watch-station (Isa. 21:8); a guard (Neh. 13:30).
חֲמִשִּׁים (chamishshiym) means 'fifty' and is a cardinal number. It can also refer to a multiple of fifty or the ordinal number 'fiftieth.' The entries consistently define it as a numerical term without significant variation.
חֲמִשִּׁים 164 n.pl. (a) fifty
base
H2572 חֲמִשִּׁים (a) fifty
2572 chamishshiym kham-ish-sheem'
multiple of 2568; fifty:--fifty.
see HEBREW for 02568
חֲמִשִּׁים (cha.mish.shim) — fifty.
1) fifty
1a) fifty (cardinal number)
1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers)
1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Adj — AdjHAcmpa
אַמָּה (ammah) primarily means 'cubit,' a unit of measure roughly equivalent to 18 inches or 0.5 meters, derived from the word for 'mother' or 'forearm.' It can also refer to a foundation or base, as noted in Isaiah 6:4. The lexicons mention different types of cubits used in the Old Testament, including the common cubit and the legal cubit.
אַמָּה 246 n.f. ell, cubit
cubit
† measure, full measure, limit
base
[אַמָּה] n.f. (etym. & mng. dub.; Thes foundation) only Is 6:4.
ref
H520a אַמָּה ell, cubit H520b אַמָּה
520 'ammah am-maw'
prolonged from 517; 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):--cubit, + hundred (by
exchange for 3967), measure, post.
see HEBREW for 0517
see HEBREW for 03967
אַמָּה (am.mah) — cubit.
cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment.
Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
אַמָּה (am.mah) — foundation.
foundation
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa