Exodus 29:37

37 seven days thou dost make atonement for the altar, and hast sanctified it, and the altar hath been most holy; all that is coming against the altar is holy.

Exodus 29:37 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 29:37

Seven days thou shalt make atonement for the altar, and
sanctify it
That it might be thoroughly fit to have sacrifices offered on it:

and it shall be an altar most holy;
as Christ is, and is called the Most Holy, and said to be anointed, ( Daniel 9:24 ) . He is holy in his person, nature, and offices, more holy than angels or men; as holy as the Lord God, the God of Israel, his Father, who is glorious in holiness, and none like to him for it:

whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy;
that is, whatsoever gift or sacrifice, according to law, was offered on it, whatever appertained unto it, or were suitable for it; for as for other things, they were not made holy by a touch of it, ( Haggai 2:11 Haggai 2:12 ) . The Targum of Jonathan refers it to persons, paraphrasing the words, that such should be holy who were

``of the sons of Aaron, but of the rest of the people it was not lawful for them to draw nigh, lest they should be burnt with flaming fire that comes out of the holy things;''

but our Lord applies it to gifts and offerings of the altar, for to this case he seems to have respect, ( Matthew 23:19 ) for he is the altar that sanctifies not only the persons, but the services of his people, and their sacrifices of prayer and praise come up with acceptance to God from off this altar; though even the best duties and services of theirs need atonement and purification by the sacrifice and blood of Christ.

Exodus 29:37 In-Context

35 `And thou hast done thus to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded thee; seven days thou dost consecrate their hand;

36 and a bullock, a sin-offering, thou dost prepare daily for the atonements, and thou hast atoned for the altar, in thy making atonement on it, and hast anointed it to sanctify it;

37 seven days thou dost make atonement for the altar, and hast sanctified it, and the altar hath been most holy; all that is coming against the altar is holy.

38 `And this [is] that which thou dost prepare on the altar; two lambs, sons of a year, daily continually;

39 the one lamb thou dost prepare in the morning, and the second lamb thou dost prepare between the evenings;