All the hangings of the court round about were of fine twined linen.

EXODUS 38:16KJV
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Exodus 38:16 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:16 mean?

Exodus 38:16 states that all the hangings surrounding the courtyard of the tabernacle were made from fine, twisted linen. This verse highlights the material and craftsmanship used for the curtains that enclosed the sacred area.

In this part of Exodus, Moses is recording the details of the tabernacle’s construction, specifically the outer courtyard. The verse emphasizes that every curtain (“hanging”) around the court was made from carefully woven linen, showing attention to quality and uniformity. These details help readers picture the appearance and dignity of the tabernacle’s enclosure.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:16

  • The word for “hangings” is קְלָעִים (qela‘im), which refers to curtains or screens. This term points to the fabric panels that formed the boundary of the courtyard, not just decorative drapes.
  • “Twined” comes from שָׁזַר (shazar), meaning twisted or spun. This describes linen threads that were tightly twisted together, making the fabric both strong and fine.
  • “Linen” is שֵׁשׁ (shesh), which is a word for high-quality flax fiber. In the ancient world, this kind of linen was valued for its purity and brightness.

Why Exodus 38:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the entire perimeter of the tabernacle’s courtyard was enclosed with the same quality material, not a mix of fabrics or lesser cloth.
  • The focus on “fine twined linen” shows the care and reverence given to even the outer parts of the sanctuary, not just the inner holy places.
  • By specifying these details, the verse connects to the larger theme of Exodus: that every part of Israel’s worship space was made according to God’s instructions, with attention to beauty and order.

Where else these words appear

“twined” Hebrew H7806 · used in 21 verses

  • Exodus 26:1 Moreover thou shalt make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, and blue, and purple, and scarlet: with cherubims of cunning work shalt thou make them.
  • Exodus 28:6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
  • 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.

“hangings” Hebrew H7050 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 27:9 And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
  • 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.
  • 1 Samuel 17:40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.

“linen” Hebrew H8336 · used in 37 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
  • Exodus 39:3 And they did beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in the blue, and in the purple, and in the scarlet, and in the fine linen, with cunning work.