Exodus 27:1-8

The Bronze Altar

1 “You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. ^{[a] 1}

2 Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze.

3 Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans.

4 Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh.

5 Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.

6 Additionally, make poles of acacia wood for the altar 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. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.

Exodus 27:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 27

This chapter treats of the altar of burnt offering, and of all things relative to it, Ex 27:1-8, of the court of the tabernacle, its hangings on each side, with pillars, sockets, and hooks for them, Ex 27:9-19 and it is concluded with an order to the Israelites to bring oil olive for the lamp of the sanctuary, Ex 27:20,21.

Cross References

• 1. (Exodus 38:1–7)

Footnotes

• [a]. The altar was approximately 7.5 feet in length and width, and 4.5 feet high (2.3 meters in length and width, and 1.4 meters high).