Answerable
An Archaic English Term
The word "answerable" as used in the King James Version of the Bible does not carry its modern meaning of being accountable or responsible. Instead, it is an older English usage meaning "corresponding to," "proportionate to," or "matching." When the KJV says something is "answerable" to something else, it means the two things correspond in size, design, or arrangement. This usage was common in English literature of the 16th and 17th centuries.
Answerable in the Tabernacle Description
In Exodus 38:18, the term appears in the description of the tabernacle court hangings. The gate screen of the court was described in relation to the hangings on the other sides, with its dimensions being answerable (corresponding) to the court curtains. This detail reflects the careful symmetry and proportion that characterized the tabernacle's construction. Every element was designed to match and complement the others, creating a harmonious whole that reflected the holiness and order of God.
Answerable in Ezekiel's Temple Vision
The word appears several times in Ezekiel's vision of the future temple. In Ezekiel 40:18 and 45:7, measurements and portions of land are described as answerable to other sections, indicating proportional correspondence. In Ezekiel 48:13 and 48:18, the allotments for the Levites and the city are described as answerable to portions assigned to the priests. These measurements emphasize the precise, orderly arrangement of the sacred territory in Ezekiel's visionary temple, where every dimension has a purpose and every portion corresponds to its counterpart.
God's Concern for Order and Proportion
The concept behind "answerable" reveals something important about God's character. Both the tabernacle built by Moses and the temple envisioned by Ezekiel are marked by careful, intentional design. God gave exact measurements, specific materials, and precise arrangements for His dwelling places. Nothing was arbitrary or haphazard. The corresponding proportions communicated that God's presence inhabits a space of perfect order, beauty, and harmony.
Translation and Modern Understanding
Modern translations typically replace "answerable" with phrases like "corresponding to," "equal to," or "the same length as," making the meaning more accessible to contemporary readers. Understanding this archaic usage helps Bible readers appreciate both the precision of the original Hebrew text and the way language evolves over time. The underlying message remains the same: God's sacred spaces are designed with intentional symmetry that reflects His perfect nature.
Biblical Context
The word 'answerable' appears in the KJV in Exodus 38:18 (tabernacle court description) and in Ezekiel 40:18, 45:7, 48:13, and 48:18 (the visionary temple measurements). In each case, it describes proportional correspondence between different elements of sacred architecture or land allotments.
Theological Significance
The concept of proportional correspondence in sacred spaces teaches that God values order, precision, and intentional design. The symmetry of the tabernacle and temple reflects the character of God Himself, who is not a God of chaos but of purposeful arrangement. These architectural details point to the deeper truth that God's dwelling place, whether a physical structure or the gathered community of believers, is meant to reflect His holiness and beauty.
Historical Background
The English word 'answerable' in the sense of 'corresponding to' was in common use during the era of the King James translation (1611). Writers like John Bunyan used it in the same way. The tabernacle's construction followed patterns common to portable shrines in the ancient Near East, while Ezekiel's temple vision drew on the architectural traditions of Solomon's temple and the broader Mesopotamian temple building conventions. The emphasis on precise measurements was characteristic of both Israelite and ancient Near Eastern sacred architecture.