King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Seven days you will make atonement on the altar and consecrate it; thus the altar will be especially holy, and whatever touches the altar will become holy.
Berean Standard Bible:
For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will become most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy.
American Standard Version:
Seven days thou shalt make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it: and the altar shall be most holy; whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Seven{H7651} days{H3117} thou shalt make an atonement{H3722} for the altar{H4196}, and sanctify{H6942} it; and it shall be an altar{H4196} most holy{H6944}{H6944}: whatsoever toucheth{H5060} the altar{H4196} shall be holy{H6942}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 40:10
- And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
Matthew 23:19
- [Ye] fools and blind: for whether [is] greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Daniel 9:24
- Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.
Exodus 30:28
- And the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot.
Exodus 30:29
- And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.
Matthew 23:17
- [Ye] fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 29:37
**Themes:**
- **Atonement and Purification:** The verse emphasizes the necessity of a week-long process to consecrate the altar, highlighting the importance of atonement and purification in the Israelite religious practice.
- **Holiness:** It underscores the concept of holiness, particularly the sanctification of the altar, which becomes "most holy" after the seven-day ritual, reinforcing the idea that certain objects and spaces are set apart for divine use.
- **Ritual Purity:** The theme of ritual purity is evident, as anything that touches the altar becomes holy, indicating the altar's power to transfer sanctity and the need for those interacting with it to be ritually pure.
**Historical Context:**
- **Mosaic Law:** Exodus 29:37 is part of the instructions given to Moses on Mount Sinai regarding the priesthood and the tabernacle. These laws were foundational to Israelite religious life and practice.
- **Tabernacle Construction:** The context is the establishment of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary for God's presence, which was central to the worship of the Israelites during their journey in the wilderness.
- **Priestly Ordination:** This verse falls within the larger narrative of the ordination of Aaron and his sons as priests, detailing the specific rituals for consecrating both the priests and the altar for sacrificial worship.
- **Covenant Relationship:** The detailed instructions for atonement and sanctification reflect the covenant relationship between God and Israel, with God providing a way for sinful humans to approach Him through carefully prescribed rituals.
In summary, Exodus 29:37 highlights the themes of atonement, holiness, and ritual purity within the historical context of the establishment of the Israelite priesthood and the construction of the tabernacle, emphasizing the sanctity of the altar and the importance of consecration in maintaining a proper relationship with God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - Strong's Number: H3117
There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יוֹם
Transliteration: yôwm
Pronunciation: yome
Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. - Strong's Number: H3722
There are 94 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּפַר
Transliteration: kâphar
Pronunciation: kaw-far'
Description: a primitive root; to cover (specifically with bitumen); figuratively, to expiate or condone, to placate or cancel; appease, make (an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify, pardon, purge (away), put off, (make) reconcile(-liation). - Strong's Number: H4196
There are 338 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְבֵּחַ
Transliteration: mizbêach
Pronunciation: miz-bay'-akh
Description: from זָבַח; an altar; altar. - Strong's Number: H6942
There are 153 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קָדַשׁ
Transliteration: qâdash
Pronunciation: kaw-dash'
Description: a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self), [idiom] wholly. - Strong's Number: H6944
There are 382 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֹדֶשׁ
Transliteration: qôdesh
Pronunciation: ko'-desh
Description: from קָדַשׁ; a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity; consecrated (thing), dedicated (thing), hallowed (thing), holiness, ([idiom] most) holy ([idiom] day, portion, thing), saint, sanctuary. - Strong's Number: H5060
There are 142 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָגַע
Transliteration: nâgaʻ
Pronunciation: naw-gah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive, acquire); violently, to strike (punish, defeat, destroy, etc.); beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch.