Exodus 27:9-19
The Lord commands a linen courtyard around the tabernacle and altar, with a guarded entrance and ordered dimensions for holy approach.
9 “You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen one hundred cubits long for one side.
10 Its pillars shall be twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.
11 Likewise for the length of the north side, there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver.
12 For the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits; their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
13 The width of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
14 The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
15 For the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.
16 For the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer; their pillars four, and their sockets four.
17 All the pillars of the court around shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of bronze.
18 The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, and the width fifty throughout, and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen, and their sockets of bronze.
19 All the instruments of the tabernacle in all its service, and all its pins, and all the pins of the court, shall be of bronze.
The LORD commands a linen courtyard around the tabernacle and altar, with a guarded entrance and ordered dimensions for holy approach.
To give the LORD’s instructions for the tabernacle courtyard, including its linen hangings, posts, bases, entrance screen, dimensions, and bronze equipment, thereby defining the ordered outer boundary of Israel’s sanctuary worship.
Exodus 25 introduced the sanctuary contribution and the major furnishings inside the tabernacle. Exodus 26 described the curtains, coverings, frames, veil, and entrance screen of the tent itself. Exodus 27:1-8 then gave the bronze altar, the central place of sacrifice in the outer court. Exodus 27:9-19 now surrounds that altar and tabernacle with the courtyard. The literary movement is deliberate: God provides a dwelling, defines guarded access within the tent, appoints the altar of approach, and then sets the boundary and entrance for the court where Israel's worship will be ordered before Him.
After the bronze altar instructions, the LORD commands the courtyard that surrounds both the tabernacle and the altar. This enclosure will distinguish the sanctuary area from the surrounding camp and establish the space of sacrificial approach.
The Altar, Courtyard, and Oil for the Lamp
The LORD orders Israel’s worship through sacrifice at the bronze altar, guarded access in the courtyard, and continual priestly light before His presence.