Exodus 27:8

8 Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. They are to make it just as it was shown to you on the mountain.

Exodus 27:8 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 27:8

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it
The frame of it being made of boards of shittim wood, there was nothing within side but the grate, which was put within the square, down into the middle of it, and so was light of carriage; though the Targum of Jonathan, and other Jewish writers, represent this hollow as filled up with dust and earth, to answer to the altar of earth Moses was before bid to make; but this seems quite contrary to the present direction: the hollowness of the altar may denote the emptiness of Christ when he became a sacrifice: he emptied himself, as it were, when he became incarnate, of all his greatness, glory, and riches, and became mean and poor for the sake of his people, that they through his poverty might be made rich, ( Philippians 2:7 Philippians 2:8 ) ( 2 Corinthians 8:9 )

as it was showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it;
or, "as he showed thee" ^F7, that is, God. Moses had a model of this altar showed him, and he was to be careful to instruct the workmen, and see to it, that they built it exactly according to the model.

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FOOTNOTES:

F7 (harh) "fecit videre", Pagninus, Montanus; "ostendit Dominus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius; so Ainsworth.

Exodus 27:8 In-Context

6 Then make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.

7 The poles are to be inserted into the rings, so that the poles are on two sides of the altar when it is carried.

8 Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. They are to make it just as it was shown to you on the mountain.

9 "You are to make the courtyard for the tabernacle. [Make the hangings] on the south of the courtyard out of finely spun linen, 150 feet long on that side.

10 There are to be 20 posts and 20 bronze bases. The hooks and bands of the posts must be silver.