And for the breadth of the court refers to the width of the rectangular courtyard. On the west side is literally “for the side of the sea,” meaning, of course, the Mediterranean Sea. (See the comment at 26.22.) There shall be is not in the Hebrew but is added for clarity. Hangings for fifty cubits means that the “curtains” (Good News Translation) must be approximately “25 yards long” (Good News Translation) or “22 meters,” in order to cover the width of the court at the back. With ten pillars and ten bases is literally “their pillars ten and their bases ten.”

The breadth of the court on the front refers to the width of the courtyard “on the east side” (Good News Translation). To the east is literally “toward sunrise.” Shall be fifty cubits is simply “fifty cubits,” with the words shall be added for clarity.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .