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Exodus 27:1

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¶ 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.

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}.

"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.

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

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

Exodus 27:1 initiates the detailed instructions for constructing the Altar of Burnt Offering, a central and foundational piece of furniture for the Tabernacle. This altar was the place where animal sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the people of Israel, serving as a vital link between a holy God and His sinful creation.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section (Exodus 25-30) detailing God's precise architectural plans for the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God would dwell among His people. Following the instructions for the Ark of the Covenant, the Table of Showbread, and the Candlestick, God now specifies the design of the altar for burnt offerings, which stood in the outer court. Its placement at the entrance to the Tabernacle proper emphasized that access to God was only possible through sacrifice and atonement, a theme profoundly explored in the Book of Leviticus. The specific dimensions (five cubits long, five cubits broad, and three cubits high) and material (shittim wood overlaid with bronze, as revealed in subsequent verses) underscore God's meticulous instructions for worship, reflecting His holiness and the seriousness of approaching Him.

Key Themes

  • Sacrifice and Atonement: The primary function of this altar was for burnt offerings, symbolizing the complete dedication and substitutionary sacrifice necessary for sin. It was the designated place for the shedding of blood, signifying that "without shedding of blood is no remission" of sins, as stated in Hebrews 9:22.
  • Divine Precision and Order: God's exact specifications for the altar's dimensions and materials highlight His desire for order and holiness in worship. Every detail was divinely ordained, underscoring that worship is not arbitrary but must follow God's revealed will.
  • Accessibility through Atonement: The altar's position at the Tabernacle's entrance conveyed that all who sought to approach God must first deal with their sin through the prescribed sacrificial system. It was the initial point of encounter with God's provision for sin.

Linguistic Insights

  • "shittim wood" (שִׁטִּים, shittim): This refers to acacia wood, which was readily available in the desert regions where Israel journeyed. Acacia wood is known for its exceptional hardness, durability, and resistance to decay and insects. Its use for the Tabernacle furniture symbolized the enduring nature of God's covenant and His provisions, even in a harsh environment.
  • "foursquare" (רָבוּעַ, rabua): Meaning "four-sided" or "square." This shape often symbolizes stability, completeness, and perfection in biblical contexts. For the altar, it might suggest its foundational and universal role in the sacrificial system, equally accessible from all directions.

Practical Application

While the physical Altar of Burnt Offering no longer stands, its spiritual significance remains profound. It powerfully prefigures the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the Old Testament worshipper approached God through the altar's sacrifice, believers today approach God through faith in Christ's atoning work on the cross. His one-time sacrifice fulfills all the types and shadows of the Old Testament sacrificial system, providing complete and eternal atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:10). The altar reminds us of the immense cost of sin and the immeasurable grace of God in providing a way for reconciliation. It calls us to acknowledge our sin and to embrace the finished work of Christ as the sole means of drawing near to God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 38:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Exodus 40:10 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

    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 (2 votes)

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

  • Exodus 24:4 (2 votes)

    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.