Exodus 27:1

KJV

¶ And thou shalt make an altar [of] shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof [shall be] three cubits.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt make {H6213} an altar {H4196} of shittim {H7848} wood {H6086}, five {H2568} cubits {H520} long {H753}, and five {H2568} cubits {H520} broad {H7341}; the altar {H4196} shall be foursquare {H7251}: and the height {H6967} thereof shall be three {H7969} cubits {H520}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"You are to make the altar of acacia-wood, seven-and-a-half feet long and seven-and-a-half feet wide - the altar is to be square and four-and-a-half feet high.

Berean Standard Bible

“You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 27:1 initiates the divine instructions for the Altar of Burnt Offering, a pivotal piece of furniture within the Tabernacle's outer court. This verse meticulously details its primary material and precise dimensions, establishing it as a foursquare structure. The altar served as the central locus for sacrificial atonement, underscoring the indispensable nature of blood sacrifice as the divinely ordained means by which a holy God could maintain fellowship with His sinful people, providing a tangible representation of reconciliation and access to His presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the extensive block of divine blueprints for the Tabernacle, spanning [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Instructions and Priesthood"). Following the detailed descriptions of the sacred furnishings within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place—including the [Ark of the Covenant](/exodus/25-10 "Exodus 25:10-22 - The Ark of the Covenant"), the [Table of Showbread](/exodus/25-23 "Exodus 25:23-30 - The Table of Showbread"), and the [Lampstand](/exodus/25-31 "Exodus 25:31-40 - The Lampstand")—the narrative shifts outward. The instructions now focus on the outer court, beginning with the Altar of Burnt Offering. Its immediate mention at the threshold of the Tabernacle proper emphasizes a crucial theological sequence: access to God's presence is not direct but is predicated upon the shedding of blood and atonement for sin, a foundational principle that would be extensively expounded upon in the subsequent [Book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Burnt Offerings").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle and its central altar were delivered to the newly liberated Israelite nation while they were encamped at Mount Sinai. As a people embarking on a nomadic journey through the wilderness, the Tabernacle was designed as a portable sanctuary, symbolizing God's unwavering presence and His journeying alongside His covenant people. While sacrificial practices were common in the ancient Near East, Israel's system, centered on this altar, stood distinctively apart. It was not a human invention to appease capricious deities but a divinely ordained system, meticulously detailed by God Himself, focused on atonement for sin, the maintenance of a holy covenant relationship, and the purification necessary for a sinful people to dwell in the presence of a holy God. The choice of "shittim wood" (acacia), a material readily available and remarkably durable in the desert environment, highlights God's practical provision and His meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the worship system could withstand the rigors of their wilderness wanderings.
* **Key Themes:** Exodus 27:1 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Exodus and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Presence and Holiness**, demonstrating God's desire to dwell among His people, but only on His terms, which necessitate a means of dealing with sin due to His absolute holiness. Secondly, it introduces the critical theme of **Atonement and Sacrifice**, establishing the altar as the primary instrument through which reconciliation between a sinful humanity and a holy God can occur, foreshadowing the ultimate need for a perfect sacrifice. This theme is further developed throughout the sacrificial laws in [Leviticus 1-7](/leviticus/1-7 "Leviticus 1-7 - Laws of Offerings"). Thirdly, the meticulous details underscore the theme of **Divine Order and Obedience**, emphasizing that God's worship is not arbitrary but must adhere to His precise, revealed will, reflecting His character and ensuring the efficacy of the Tabernacle system as outlined in passages like [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern for the Tabernacle").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach'_):** Derived from the root _zābaḥ_ (to slaughter, to sacrifice), this term specifically designates a place of sacrifice. In the Tabernacle's context, the _mizbêach_ was the foundational site for the shedding of blood and the burning of offerings, symbolizing the divinely appointed means of reconciliation between humanity and God. Its purpose transcended mere worship; it was a crucial instrument for addressing and dealing with the reality of sin.
* **Shittim (Hebrew, _shiṭṭâh'_):** This refers to acacia wood, a hard, dense, and remarkably durable timber indigenous to the arid desert regions where Israel sojourned. Renowned for its resistance to decay, insects, and the harsh elements, its selection for the Tabernacle furniture, particularly the altar, emphasized the enduring nature and stability of God's covenant provisions. It symbolized the strength, permanence, and resilience of God's dwelling among His people, even amidst transient and challenging circumstances.
* **Foursquare (Hebrew, _râbaʻ'_):** This term, meaning "four-sided" or "square," is rooted in the idea of being quadrate. In biblical contexts, geometric shapes often carry significant symbolic weight, with the square frequently representing stability, completeness, balance, and perfection. For the altar, its foursquare design powerfully conveyed its foundational role in the sacrificial system, its accessibility from all directions, and perhaps the universal application of its purpose in dealing with sin for all who approached God through it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And thou shalt make an altar":** This phrase constitutes a direct, imperative divine command issued to Moses, signaling the commencement of instructions for what would become the most prominent and functionally critical feature of the Tabernacle's outer court. The command "thou shalt make" underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the non-negotiable, divinely ordained nature of His requirements for worship. The altar is presented not as an optional accessory but as a central and indispensable necessity for the Tabernacle's entire system of worship and atonement.
* **"[of] shittim wood":** This clause specifies the primary material for the altar's frame. The deliberate choice of durable acacia wood, which would subsequently be overlaid with bronze (as detailed in [Exodus 27:2](/exodus/27-2 "Exodus 27:2 - Bronze Overlay for the Altar")), speaks volumes about the altar's intended resilience. It was designed to withstand the intense heat generated by the burnt offerings, symbolizing the enduring and robust nature of God's provision for atonement, a provision that would stand the test of time and human sinfulness.
* **"five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare":** These precise horizontal dimensions establish the altar as a perfect square. Given that a cubit was approximately 18 inches (or 45 cm), the altar would have measured roughly 7.5 feet (or 2.25 meters) by 7.5 feet. This substantial size indicates its central importance and its capacity to accommodate numerous sacrifices. The explicit declaration that "the altar shall be foursquare" further reinforces the notions of stability, balance, and completeness, signifying its foundational and comprehensive role in the divinely instituted sacrificial system.
* **"and the height thereof [shall be] three cubits":** This final clause specifies the vertical dimension, setting the altar's height at approximately 4.5 feet (or 1.35 meters). This elevation would have made the altar both visible and readily accessible for the priests performing the sacrificial rituals. Its elevated position also subtly underscored its sacred purpose and the profound seriousness of the spiritual transactions that took place upon it, mediating between God and humanity.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 27:1 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning and significance. The most striking is **Divine Command**, expressed through the imperative "thou shalt make." This direct instruction from God to Moses emphasizes God's absolute authority and the non-negotiable, divinely revealed nature of the Tabernacle's design and function, rather than it being a product of human ingenuity. **Precision and Detail** are abundantly evident in the meticulous specifications of dimensions ("five cubits long, and five cubits broad... three cubits high") and material ("shittim wood," "foursquare"). This exactitude underscores God's holiness and His demand for order, exactness, and reverence in worship, reflecting the gravity of approaching His sacred presence. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is deeply embedded within the very object being described. The "altar" itself is a potent symbol of sacrifice, atonement, and the means of reconciliation. The "shittim wood" symbolizes durability, permanence, and God's enduring presence, while the "foursquare" shape suggests stability, completeness, and the comprehensive scope of the means of reconciliation provided through the altar.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Altar of Burnt Offering, as introduced in Exodus 27:1, serves as a profound theological declaration regarding the character of God, the condition of humanity, and the essential means of reconciliation. It powerfully communicates that a holy God, in His absolute purity, cannot tolerate sin in His presence. Consequently, a divinely appointed means of atonement is an absolute necessity for sinful humanity to approach and commune with Him. The altar's primary function was to facilitate the shedding of blood, a vivid symbol that life must be given for sin, thereby foreshadowing the ultimate truth articulated in the New Testament: "without shedding of blood is no remission" of sins ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")). Its central and prominent placement in the outer court ensured that all who sought to draw near to God first encountered the stark reality of sin and the gracious provision for its expiation through substitutionary sacrifice, emphasizing that access to God is always, and only, through an offering that bears the penalty of sin.

* [Leviticus 1:1-9](/leviticus/1-1 "Leviticus 1:1-9 - Laws for Burnt Offerings")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")
* [Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ as Propitiation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Altar of Burnt Offering no longer stands as a literal place of sacrifice, its spiritual and theological significance remains profoundly relevant and impactful for believers today. It serves as an enduring and stark reminder of the immense gravity and cost of sin, juxtaposed against the unblemished holiness of God, before whom no unatoned sin can stand. The altar's function in providing a temporary, yet divinely ordained, way for reconciliation through sacrifice points us directly and unmistakably to the ultimate, perfect, and once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the ancient Israelite worshiper had no other recourse but to approach God through the prescribed animal sacrifices on this altar, we, too, must approach God solely through faith in Christ's finished work on the cross. The altar compels us to humbly acknowledge our own pervasive sinfulness and to embrace the liberating truth that our access to God is secured not by our merit or works, but solely by His boundless grace, through the shed blood of the Lamb of God. It calls us to live lives characterized by profound gratitude, recognizing the unfathomable depth of God's love in providing such a costly and complete means of reconciliation, and to walk daily in the freedom, forgiveness, and new life secured by Christ's atoning work.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise design, dimensions, and material of the Altar of Burnt Offering speak to God's character and His exacting expectations for our approach to Him?**
* **What profound truths does the necessity of the altar's sacrifices reveal about the inherent nature of sin and the absolute, non-negotiable cost of reconciliation with a holy God?**
* **In what specific ways does the Altar of Burnt Offering powerfully foreshadow the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and how should this understanding profoundly impact our daily lives, worship, and evangelism?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Altar of Burnt Offering in the Tabernacle?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Altar of Burnt Offering was to serve as the divinely designated place for animal sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings, which were offered to atone for the sins of the people of Israel. It stood as the central point in the outer court where blood was shed and the animal's body was consumed by fire, symbolizing both the complete dedication of the offering and the substitutionary nature of the sacrifice. This altar was absolutely crucial because it provided the divinely appointed means for sinful humanity to approach and find reconciliation with a holy God, as extensively highlighted throughout the sacrificial laws detailed in the [Book of Leviticus](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Burnt Offerings"). It underscored the fundamental biblical principle that "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" of sins ([Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Altar of Burnt Offering, with its foundational and indispensable role in the Tabernacle's sacrificial system, finds its ultimate, complete, and perfect fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The repeated, temporary sacrifices offered on this altar, though divinely commanded, were always intended to be merely a "shadow of the good things to come" ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")), pointing forward to a greater reality. Jesus Christ is the true and final Altar, the perfect Lamb of God "who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His crucifixion on the cross was the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice that rendered all previous animal sacrifices obsolete and unnecessary, providing complete and eternal atonement for sin ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). Just as the altar stood at the very entrance to the Tabernacle, signifying that access to God's presence was only possible through sacrifice, so too, Christ's atoning work is the sole means by which humanity can draw near to a holy God, offering us full reconciliation, peace, and direct access to the Father through His shed blood ([Ephesians 2:13](/ephesians/2-13 "Ephesians 2:13 - Made Near by the Blood of Christ")). The Altar of Burnt Offering thus powerfully prefigures the immeasurable grace, profound love, and perfect justice of God revealed in Christ's finished work, establishing Him as our eternal propitiation and the one true way to God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 38:1

¶ And he made the altar of burnt offering [of] shittim wood: five cubits [was] the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; [it was] foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.

Exodus 38:7

And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

Hebrews 13:10

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

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.

Exodus 20:24

An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Exodus 20:26

Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.

Exodus 24:4

And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.