Exodus 27
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Thou shalt make an altar - מזבח mizbeach, from זבח zabach, to slay: Septuagint, θυσιαστηριον, from θυσιαζω, to sacrifice or from θυω to kill, etc. See Clarke's note on Gen 8:20. Four square - As this altar was five cubits long and five broad, and the cubit is reckoned to be twenty-one inches, hence it must have been eight feet nine inches square, and about five feet three inches in height, the amount of three cubits, taken at the same ratio.
Open source ↗ALTAR FOR BURNT OFFERING. (Exo. 27:1-21) altar of shittim wood--The dimensions of this altar which was placed at the entrance of the sanctuary were nearly three yards square, and a yard and a half in height. Under the wooden frame of this chest-like altar the inside was hollow, and each corner was to be terminated by "horns"--angular projections, perpendicular or oblique, in the form of horns. The animals to be sacrificed were bound to these (Psa 118:27), and part of the blood was applied to them.
Open source ↗And thou shall make an altar of shittim wood,.... This is a different altar from that made of earth before the tabernacle was built, Exo 20:24 and from the altar of incense, Exo 30:1 this was to offer burnt offerings on, and was placed at the door of the tabernacle, in the court of the people, where they brought their sacrifices to the priests to offer for them: it stood in the open air, as it was proper it should, that the smoke or the sacrifices might ascend up and scatter. This altar was not typical of the altar of the heart; though indeed all the saints are priests, and every sacrifice of theirs should come from the heart, and particularly love, which is more than all burnt offerings; but the heart is not this altar of brass to bear the fire of divine wrath, which none can endure; nor does it sanctify the gift, it being itself impure: nor of the Lord's table, or the table on which the Lord's supper is set; that is a table, and not an altar, a feast, and not a sacrifice; is not greater than the gift, nor does it sanctify: nor of the cross or Christ, on which he died, bore the sins or his people, and sanctified them by his blood; but of Christ himself, who by his office as a priest, his human nature is the sacrifice, and his divine nature the altar; and he is that altar believers in him have a right to eat of, Heb 13:10 his divine nature is greater than the human, is the support of it, which sanctifies and gives it virtue as a sacrifice, and which makes the sacrifices of all his people acceptable to God. This altar of burnt offering is said to be made of "shittim wood", a wood incorruptible and durable; Christ, as God, is from everlasting to everlasting; as man, though he once died, he now lives for evermore, and never did or will see corruption; his priesthood is an…
Open source ↗The Altar of Burnt-Offering (cf. Exo 38:1-7). - "Make the altar (the altar of burnt-offering, according to Exo 38:1) of acacia-wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad (רבוּע "foured," i.e., four-sided or quadrangular), and three cubits high. At its four corners shall its horns be from (out of) it," i.e., not removable, but as if growing out of it. These horns were projections at the corners of the altar, formed to imitate in all probability the horns of oxen, and in these the whole force of the altar was concentrated. The blood of the sin-offering was therefore smeared upon them (Lev 4:7), and those who fled to the altar to save their lives laid hold of them (vid., Exo 21:14, and Kg1 1:50; also my commentary on the passage). The altar was to be covered with copper or brass, and all the things used in connection with it were to be made of brass. These were, - (1) the pans, to cleanse it of the ashes of the fat (Exo 27:3 : דּשּׁן, a denom. verb from דּשׁן the ashes of fat, that is to say, the ashes that arose from burning the flesh of the sacrifice upon the altar, has a privative meaning, and signifies "to ash away," i.e., to cleanse from ashes); (2) יעים shovels, from יעה to take away (Isa 28:17); (3) מזרקות, things used for sprinkling the blood, from fzarq to sprinkle; (4) מזלגות forks, flesh-hooks (cf. מזלג Sa1 3:13); (5) מחתּת coal-scoops (cf. Exo 25:38). וגו לכל־כּליו: either "for all the vessels thereof thou shalt make brass," or "as for all its vessels, thou shalt make (them) of brass."
Open source ↗As God intended in the tabernacle to manifest his presence among his people, so there they were to pay their devotions to him, not in the tabernacle itself (into that only the priests entered as God's domestic servants), but in the court before the tabernacle, where, as common subjects, they attended. There an altar was ordered to be set up, to which they must bring their sacrifices, and on which their priests must offer them to God: and this altar was to sanctify their gifts. Here they were to present their services to God, as from the mercy-seat he gave his oracles to them; and thus a communion was settled between God and Israel. Moses is here directed about, 1. The dimensions of it; it was square, Exo 27:1. 2. The horns of it (Exo 27:2), which were for ornament and for use; the sacrifices were bound with cords to the horns of the altar, and to them malefactors fled for refuge. 3. The materials; it was of wood overlaid with brass, Exo 27:1, Exo 27:2. 4. The appurtenances of it (Exo 27:3), which were all of brass. 5. The grate, which was let into the hollow of the altar, about the middle of it, in which the fire was kept, and the sacrifice burnt; it was made of network like a sieve, and hung hollow, that the fire might burn the better, and that the ashes might fall through into the hollow of the altar, Exo 27:4, Exo 27:5. 6. The staves with which it must be carried, Exo 27:6, Exo 27:7. And, lastly, he is referred to the pattern shown him, Exo 27:8. Now this brazen altar was a type of Christ dying to make atonement for our sins: the wood would have been consumed by the fire from heaven if it had not been secured by the brass; nor could the human nature of Christ have borne the wrath of God if it had not been supported by a divine power. Christ sanctified himself for his…
Open source ↗27:1-19 These plans for the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard continue the movement outward from the center. As with the sanctuary, the plans for the furniture of the courtyard are given (27:1-8) before the plans for the courtyard itself (27:9-19). 27:1-8 Like the frames of the Tabernacle, the square altar of burnt offerings was made of acacia wood overlaid with metal. However, in keeping with the other features outside the sanctuary, it was overlaid with bronze (27:2-3; see 27:10, 17, 19).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) רָבַע (râbaʻ, H7251) — to be quadrate קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four פִּנָּה (pinnâh, H6438) — an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application סִיר (çîyr, H5518) — a pot; also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a hook דָּשֵׁן (dâshên, H1878) — to be fat; transitively, to fatten (or regard as fat); specifically to anoint;… יָע (yâʻ, H3257) — a shovel מִזְרָק (mizrâq, H4219) — a bowl (as if for sprinkling) מַזְלֵג (mazlêg, H4207) — a fork מַחְתָּה (machtâh, H4289) — a pan for live coals כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as…
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מַכְבֵּר (makbêr, H4345) — a grate מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,… נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7098) — a termination
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כַּרְכֹּב (karkôb, H3749) — a rim or top margin מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar מַטָּה (maṭṭâh, H4295) — downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes רֶשֶׁת (resheth, H7568) — a net (as catching animals) עַד (ʻad, H5704) — as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until)… חֵצִי (chêtsîy, H2677) — the half or middle
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar שִׁטָּה (shiṭṭâh, H7848) — the acacia (from its scourging thorns) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6823) — to sheet over (especially with metal) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as…
Open source ↗בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) טַבַּעַת (ṭabbaʻath, H2885) — properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), i.e. signet (for sealing); hence (generally) a… שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,… מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbêach, H4196) — an altar נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Open source ↗נָבַב (nâbab, H5014) — to pierce; to be hollow, or (figuratively) foolish לוּחַ (lûwach, H3871) — probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;… נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… פֵּאָה (pêʼâh, H6285) — properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity תֵּימָן (têymân, H8486) — the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east) קֶלַע (qelaʻ, H7050) — a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself שָׁזַר (shâzar, H7806) — to twist (a thread of straw) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8336) — bleached stuff, i.e. white linen or (by analogy) marble מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first
Open source ↗עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform אֶדֶן (ʼeden, H134) — a basis (of a building, a column, etc.) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… וָו (vâv, H2053) — a hook (the name of the sixth Hebrew letter) חָשֻׁק (châshuq, H2838) — attached, i.e. a fence-rail or rod connecting the posts or pillars כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) פֵּאָה (pêʼâh, H6285) — properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length קֶלַע (qelaʻ, H7050) — a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform אֶדֶן (ʼeden, H134) — a basis (of a building, a column, etc.) נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… וָו (vâv, H2053) — a hook (the name of the sixth Hebrew letter) חָשֻׁק (châshuq, H2838) — attached, i.e. a fence-rail or rod connecting the posts or pillars כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
Open source ↗רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… פֵּאָה (pêʼâh, H6285) — properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity קֶלַע (qelaʻ, H7050) — a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits) אֶדֶן (ʼeden, H134) — a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)
Open source ↗רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) חָצֵר (châtsêr, H2691) — a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls) קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… פֵּאָה (pêʼâh, H6285) — properly, mouth in a figurative sense, i.e. direction, region, extremity מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east חֲמִשִּׁים (chămishshîym, H2572) — fifty אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a…
Open source ↗קֶלַע (qelaʻ, H7050) — a sling; also a (door) screen (as if slung across), or the valve (of the door) itself כָּתֵף (kâthêph, H3802) — the shoulder (proper, i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… עַמּוּד (ʻammûwd, H5982) — a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice אֶדֶן (ʼeden, H134) — a basis (of a building, a column, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. Early the next morning he got up and built an altar at the base of the mountain, along with twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel.
He placed the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded him.
And that day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it shall be most holy.
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.
He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.