King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ And he made the incense altar [of] shittim wood: the length of it [was] a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; [it was] foursquare; and two cubits [was] the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.
Complete Jewish Bible:
He made the altar on which to burn incense of acacia-wood, eighteen inches square and three feet high; its horns were a single unit.
Berean Standard Bible:
He made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long, a cubit wide, and two cubits high. Its horns were of one piece.
American Standard Version:
And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit was the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof, foursquare; and two cubits was the height thereof; the horns thereof were of one piece with it.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And he made{H6213} the incense{H7004} altar{H4196} of shittim{H7848} wood{H6086}: the length{H753} of it was a cubit{H520}, and the breadth{H7341} of it a cubit{H520}; it was foursquare{H7251}; and two cubits{H520} was the height{H6967} of it; the horns{H7161} thereof were of the same.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 30:1
- ¶ And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: [of] shittim wood shalt thou make it.
Exodus 30:5
- And thou shalt make the staves [of] shittim wood, and overlay them with gold.
Revelation 8:3
- And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer [it] with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Revelation 8:4
- And the smoke of the incense, [which came] with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
1 Peter 2:5
- Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 7:25
- Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Matthew 23:19
- [Ye] fools and blind: for whether [is] greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Exodus 37:25
1. Themes:
- Craftsmanship and Detail: The verse emphasizes the precise construction of the incense altar, highlighting the attention to detail and skill required in the creation of sacred objects for worship.
- Ritual Purity and Worship: The incense altar was an essential component of the Tabernacle, used for burning incense as part of the Israelites' daily worship and rituals, symbolizing prayer and the presence of God.
- Symbolism of Materials: The use of shittim wood, also known as acacia wood, which was durable and native to the Sinai region, may symbolize stability and the Israelites' connection to the land they were traversing.
- Theological Significance: The altar's horns, being of the same material, underscore the unity and integration of the altar's purpose and design, reflecting a cohesive approach to divine worship.
2. Historical Context:
- Exodus 37:25 is set during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness after their escape from slavery in Egypt. Moses, following God's detailed instructions, oversees the construction of the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary that would serve as the central place of worship for the Israelites until they reached the Promised Land.
- The verse is part of a larger narrative that describes the making of the Tabernacle's furnishings, including the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the showbread, and the lampstand. The incense altar was one of these sacred objects made by Bezalel, a craftsman endowed with divine skill (Exodus 31:1-5).
- The precise dimensions and materials used for the incense altar reflect the importance of adherence to divine blueprints in the construction of sacred spaces and objects during this formative period of Israelite religion and identity.
In summary, Exodus 37:25 reflects the themes of meticulous craftsmanship, ritual purity, and theological symbolism within the historical context of the Israelites' journey towards the Promised Land and the establishment of their religious practices and identity.
*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: H6213
There are 2286 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂה
Transliteration: ʻâsâh
Pronunciation: aw-saw'
Description: a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application; accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. - Strong's Number: H7004
There are 58 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קְטֹרֶת
Transliteration: qᵉṭôreth
Pronunciation: ket-o'-reth
Description: from קָטַר; a fumigation; (sweet) incense, perfume. - 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: H7848
There are 28 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שִׁטָּה
Transliteration: shiṭṭâh
Pronunciation: shit-taw'
Description: feminine of a derivative (only in the plural שִׁטִּים; meaning the sticks of wood) from the same as שֹׁטֵט; the acacia (from its scourging thorns); shittah, shittim. See also בֵּית הַשִּׁטָּה. - Strong's Number: H6086
There are 288 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֵץ
Transliteration: ʻêts
Pronunciation: ates
Description: from עָצָה; a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks); [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. - Strong's Number: H753
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֹרֶךְ
Transliteration: ʼôrek
Pronunciation: o'rek'
Description: from אָרַךְ; length; [phrase] forever, length, long. - Strong's Number: H520
There are 240 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַמָּה
Transliteration: ʼammâh
Pronunciation: am-maw'
Description: prolonged from אֵם; properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance); cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for מֵאָה), measure, post. - Strong's Number: H7341
There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹחַב
Transliteration: rôchab
Pronunciation: ro'-khab
Description: from רָחַב; width (literally or figuratively); breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness. - Strong's Number: H7251
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָבַע
Transliteration: râbaʻ
Pronunciation: raw-bah'
Description: a primitive root (rather identical with רָבַע through the idea of sprawling 'at all fours' (or possibly the reverse is the order of deriv.); compare אַרְבַּע); properly, to be four (sided); used only as denominative of רֶבַע; to be quadrate; (four-) square(-d). - Strong's Number: H6967
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוֹמָה
Transliteration: qôwmâh
Pronunciation: ko-maw'
Description: from קוּם; height; [idiom] along, height, high, stature, tall. - Strong's Number: H7161
There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קֶרֶן
Transliteration: qeren
Pronunciation: keh'-ren
Description: from קָרַן; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power; [idiom] hill, horn.