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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Exodus 27:1–8.
As God intended in the tabernacle to manifest his presence among his people, so there they were to pay their devotions to him, not in the tabernacle itself (into that only the priests entered as God's domestic servants), but in the court before the tabernacle, where, as common subjects, they attended. There an altar was ordered to be set up, to which they must bring their sacrifices, and on which their priests must offer them to God: and this altar was to sanctify their gifts. Here they were to present their services to God, as from the mercy-seat he gave his oracles to them; and thus a communion was settled between God and Israel. Moses is here directed about, 1. The dimensions of it; it was square, Exo 27:1. 2. The horns of it (Exo 27:2), which were for ornament and for use; the sacrifices were bound with cords to the horns of the altar, and to them malefactors fled for refuge. 3. The materials; it was of wood overlaid with brass, Exo 27:1, Exo 27:2. 4. The appurtenances of it (Exo 27:3), which were all of brass. 5. The grate, which was let into the hollow of the altar, about the middle of it, in which the fire was kept, and the sacrifice burnt; it was made of network like a sieve, and hung hollow, that the fire might burn the better, and that the ashes might fall through into the hollow of the altar, Exo 27:4, Exo 27:5. 6. The staves with which it must be carried, Exo 27:6, Exo 27:7. And, lastly, he is referred to the pattern shown him, Exo 27:8.
Now this brazen altar was a type of Christ dying to make atonement for our sins: the wood would have been consumed by the fire from heaven if it had not been secured by the brass; nor could the human nature of Christ have borne the wrath of God if it had not been supported by a divine power. Christ sanctified himself for his church, as their altar (Joh 17:19), and by his mediation sanctifies the daily services of his people, who have also a right to eat of this altar (Heb 13:10), for they serve at it as spiritual priests. To the horns of this altar poor sinners fly for refuge when justice pursues them, and they are safe in virtue of the sacrifice there offered.
Historical interpretation
Historical Reception
One surviving comment on this verse from the historical church.
There were two altars in the temple, which expressed the two covenants in the church. The first, the altar of burnt offerings, which was plated with bronze and was situated in front of the doors of the temple, was for the offering up of victims and sacrifices. It signified the fleshly minded worshipers of the Old Covenant. And then there was the altar of incense, which was covered with gold and set near the entrance of the Holy of Holies and was to burn fragrant gums on. This prefigured the interior and more perfect grace of the New Covenant and its worshipers.
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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, Exodus 26, Exodus 27, Exodus 28, Exodus 29, Exodus 30, Exodus 31. Following the detailed descriptions of the sacred furnishings within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place—including the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and 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.
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, Leviticus 2, Leviticus 3, Leviticus 4, Leviticus 5, Leviticus 6, Leviticus 7. 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.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
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.
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.
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), 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). 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.
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
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of the Altar of Burnt Offering in the Tabernacle?
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. It underscored the fundamental biblical principle that "without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" of sins (Hebrews 9:22).
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), 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). 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). 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). 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.