Court Entrance
A woven entrance screen twenty cubits wide opens into the court from the east, supported by four posts (Exodus 27:13–16).
Perspective note
Comparative historical/source study. The original author's or church's reception is retained; inclusion does not make every claim Oriental Orthodox teaching.
Key points
- The entrance begins the approach to the sanctuary.
- Look for: A colored screen between four posts.
- Illustrated location: Courtyard
- A reconstruction from Exodus 25–30 and 40, with the bread arrangement from Leviticus 24. The Tabernacle has one lampstand with seven lamps and one bread table. The tent follows conventional chamber proportions inferred from boards and curtains; textual court dimensions are listed separately, while the drawn court outline and object spacing are schematic. The court and tent use different drawing scales, and some furnishings are enlarged for visibility; this is not a single-scale plan. The text does not specify the basin’s size, the lampstand’s height, a complete visual blueprint, or the exact appearance of the cherubim. Their drawn forms and decorative patterns are interpretations. Roof and walls are opened to reveal spaces whose access was restricted. The raised illustrative ground base is a display device, not a prescribed Tabernacle floor; Exodus does not specify a floor material. The rear boards, individual silver sockets, carrying fittings, and small service utensils are simplified or omitted.
- Entering sacred space (Christian typology): The tabernacle court, Temple porch, and church narthex each organize an approach to worship. Orthodox interpretation reads this movement as preparation for the gathered Church and the Holy Table.
- These spaces belong to different periods and serve different purposes. The Court of the Gentiles belongs to the later Second Temple; it is not shown in this Solomon’s Temple model. Contemporary parish practice does not generally require visitors to remain in the narthex.
Scripture
- Exodus 27:1–19 — A woven entrance screen twenty cubits wide opens into the court from the east, supported by four posts (Exodus 27:13–16).
- Exodus 27:9–19 — Entering sacred space: The tabernacle court, Temple porch, and church narthex each organize an approach to worship. Orthodox interpretation reads this movement as preparation for the gathered Church and the Holy Table.
- 1 Kings 6:1–35 — Entering sacred space: The tabernacle court, Temple porch, and church narthex each organize an approach to worship. Orthodox interpretation reads this movement as preparation for the gathered Church and the Holy Table.