Exodus 27:1-8

Instructions for the altar

1 Make an acacia-wood altar. The altar should be square, seven and a half feet long and seven and a half feet wide. It should be four and a half feet high.

2 Make horns for the altar and attach them to it, one horn on each of its four corners. Cover it with copper.

3 Make pails for removing its ashes and its shovels, bowls, meat forks, and trays. Make all its equipment out of copper.

4 Make for the altar a grate made of copper mesh. Make four copper rings for each of the four corners of the mesh.

5 Slide the mesh underneath the bottom edge of the altar and then extend the mesh halfway up to the middle of the altar.

6 Make acacia-wood poles for the altar and cover them with copper.

7 Put the poles through the rings so that the poles will be on the two sides of the altar when it is carried.

8 Make the altar with planks but hollow inside. All these should 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.