Exodus 29:37

Context

Exodus 29 details the elaborate process for consecrating Aaron and his sons as priests and for sanctifying the Tabernacle and its components, particularly the altar of burnt offering. This verse, Exodus 29:37, marks the culmination of a seven-day ritual of purification and dedication for the altar itself. This lengthy and precise ceremony underscored the extreme importance of the altar as the primary place of sacrifice and atonement for the sins of the people of Israel under the Mosaic Covenant. Without this rigorous consecration, the altar would not be fit for divine service, highlighting God's demand for purity in approaching Him.

Key Themes

• Consecration and Holiness: The central theme is the setting apart of the altar as supremely holy. The seven-day ritual ensured its complete dedication to God's service, distinguishing it from all common objects. This process was essential for the altar to function as a place where God would meet with His people.
• Atonement and Purification: The phrase "make an atonement for the altar" signifies a purging or purification process. It was not atoning for sins *on* the altar, but for the altar itself, removing any defilement that might render it unfit for holding sacrifices that atoned for the people's sins. This preparatory atonement made the altar sacred.
• Contagious Holiness: The declaration "whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy" illustrates a profound principle of holiness in the Old Testament. Unlike uncleanness, which could also be contagious, here, the altar's intense sacredness imparts holiness to anything that comes into direct contact with it. This meant that anything brought into contact with the altar, such as sacrifices or instruments, became set apart for holy use.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "atonement" here is kaphar (כָּפַר), which fundamentally means "to cover," "to purge," or "to make propitiation." In this context, it refers to the ritual purification and cleansing of the altar to make it acceptable and consecrated for holy use.
• "Sanctify" comes from the Hebrew qadash (קָדָשׁ), meaning "to set apart," "to make holy," or "to dedicate." It emphasizes the act of making something sacred and exclusive for God's purposes.
• "Most holy" is a translation of the Hebrew phrase qodesh qadashim (קֹדֶשׁ קָדָשִׁים), literally "holiness of holies." This is the highest possible degree of holiness in Hebrew thought, similar to the "Holy of Holies" in the Tabernacle, signifying supreme sacredness and divine separation.

Significance and Application

This verse underscores God's absolute demand for holiness and purity in worship. The rigorous consecration of the altar, a physical object, teaches us several timeless truths:

• God's Holiness: It profoundly illustrates the unapproachable holiness of God and the meticulous preparation required to engage with Him under the Old Covenant. This foreshadows the ultimate need for a perfect sacrifice.
• Preparation for Sacred Service: Just as the altar had to be consecrated, those who serve God are called to be set apart. The New Testament calls believers to live a life of holiness, reflecting the nature of God Himself (1 Peter 1:16).
• The Source of True Holiness: While the Old Testament altar imparted a ceremonial holiness, true and lasting holiness comes from Christ. The ultimate "altar" is Christ Himself and His sacrifice, which truly sanctifies and atones. Our access to God is not through physical rituals but through His perfect and complete work on the cross (Hebrews 10:10).
• The Call to Purity: For believers today, the principle of something becoming holy by touching what is holy reminds us that our sanctification comes from our intimate connection with Christ, who is holy. We are to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1), reflecting the contagious holiness of His Spirit within us.