Exodus 27 1

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.

Exodus 27:1 nkjv

"You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide?the altar shall be square?and its height shall be three cubits.

Exodus 27:1 niv

"Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide.

Exodus 27:1 esv

"You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits broad. The altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.

Exodus 27:1 nlt

"Using acacia wood, construct a square altar 7 1?2 feet wide, 7 1?2 feet long, and 4 1?2 feet high.

Exodus 27 verses

Exodus 27 1 Meaning

Exodus 27:1 initiates the divine instructions for constructing the brazen altar (or altar of burnt offering), the primary object located in the Tabernacle courtyard. This altar served as the central place where animal sacrifices were offered for the atonement of sins, signifying that approach to a holy God is only possible through blood atonement and consecrated offering. Its specific dimensions and material emphasized God's precise requirements for worship and His provision for cleansing.

Exodus 27 1 Context

Exodus chapter 27 is part of a larger section (chapters 25-31) where God gives Moses meticulous instructions for constructing the Tabernacle, its furnishings, priestly garments, and the anointing oil and incense. This specific chapter focuses on the outdoor components of the Tabernacle: the brazen altar and the courtyard fence. Following the detailed commands for the Holy Place furnishings (ark, table, lampstand) and the Tabernacle structure itself, the altar of burnt offering is introduced as the essential first point of encounter. Historically, this divine blueprint was given to Israel while they journeyed through the wilderness, providing them a portable dwelling place for God amidst them and a prescribed method for worshipping a holy God and receiving atonement. It set a clear distinction between the worship of the one true God and the idolatrous, often chaotic, worship practices of surrounding pagan nations, where altars might be built impulsively or for impure purposes.

Exodus 27 1 Word analysis

• And you shall make (וְעָשִׂיתָ - ve'asita): This opening conveys a direct, authoritative divine command from God to Moses. It underscores that the Tabernacle and its components are not human inventions but are divinely initiated and meticulously prescribed, highlighting the exactness and holiness required in God's worship.
• An altar (אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - et-hammizbeach): The Hebrew word mizbeach (מִזְבֵּחַ) is derived from the verb zabach (זָבַח), meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice." It literally means "a place of slaughter" or "a place of sacrifice." This defines its primary function: not merely a place of offering, but specifically a place where lives (of animals) are surrendered through death to atone for sin, thus bringing reconciliation between God and humanity.
• Of acacia wood (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים - atzei shittim): Shittim (שִׁטִּים) refers to the acacia tree, common in the Sinai peninsula. This wood is highly durable, hard, and notably resistant to decay, insects, and warping even in harsh desert conditions. Its qualities make it an apt choice, symbolizing endurance, purity, and the imperishability of God's appointed means of salvation. This wood was consistently used for the Ark, Table of Showbread, and other sacred items within the Tabernacle, suggesting its distinct and holy purpose.
• Five cubits long and five cubits wide: A cubit was an ancient unit of measure, roughly the length of a forearm (approximately 18 to 22 inches or 45 to 55 centimeters). Thus, the altar was quite substantial, approximately 7.5 to 9 feet (2.3 to 2.7 meters) on each side. These precise measurements are God's chosen dimensions, ensuring consistency and indicating divine order, perfection, and adequacy for its purpose as a central feature.
• The altar shall be square (רָבוּעַ יִהְיֶה הַמִּזְבֵּחַ - ravua yihyeh hammizbeach): Ravua (רָבוּעַ) means "foursquare." A square shape in biblical contexts often connotes stability, balance, completeness, and perfection. Unlike irregularly shaped pagan altars, the altar of Yahweh was symmetrical and orderly, reflecting God's immutable character and the unwavering nature of His redemptive plan. Its stability ensured that all sides could be approached equally, suggesting universal access to its atoning power for those who come by faith.
• And its height shall be three cubits: Approximately 4.5 to 5.5 feet (1.4 to 1.7 meters) high. This height meant it was tall enough to require some means of access for the priest (a ramp, as steps were forbidden to avoid impropriety per Exod 20:26), further highlighting its elevation and sacred function, yet accessible enough for regular use.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And you shall make an altar of acacia wood": This phrase immediately establishes God's direct instruction for the core instrument of reconciliation, emphasizing the specific, God-ordained material choice which denotes resilience and divine preference for durability in sacred objects.
• "five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits": This collection of dimensional instructions provides the exact blueprint, stressing divine order and completeness. The consistent mention of "cubits" and the "square" shape reinforce the meticulousness of God's design, suggesting perfection, stability, and the encompassing nature of the atonement offered there, available from all "sides."

Exodus 27 1 Bonus section

The covering of this acacia wood altar, though detailed in a subsequent verse (Exod 38:2), was specified as bronze. Bronze in the Tabernacle's symbolism often represents judgment, fire, and the consequences of sin. Thus, the altar of burnt offering, with its bronze covering over durable acacia wood, powerfully signified where God's righteous judgment against sin was met and borne through the accepted sacrifice, demonstrating that even in judgment, there is a pathway to divine acceptance and reconciliation. This specific combination emphasizes both God's holy character and His provision for sinful humanity through sacrifice. Furthermore, the instructions for a square altar are mirrored later in the depiction of the New Jerusalem in Revelation, a city of perfect order and completeness, symbolizing the ultimate fulfillment of God's dwelling among His redeemed people, built on the foundations of a perfect sacrifice.

Exodus 27 1 Commentary

Exodus 27:1 introduces the altar of burnt offering, the vital piece of furniture placed at the very entrance of the Tabernacle courtyard. It was the first point of interaction for any worshiper seeking to approach God. This signifies the fundamental and unchangeable truth that access to a holy God is predicated solely upon the shedding of blood and atonement for sin. The detailed dimensions and the use of durable acacia wood speak volumes about the perfection, permanence, and specific requirements of God's redemptive provision. This altar foreshadowed the ultimate and complete sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself "once for all" on the cross, fulfilling the type represented by countless animal sacrifices. The brazen altar served as a constant visual reminder to Israel of their sinfulness and God's unwavering provision for forgiveness, embodying divine justice met by merciful atonement.

Examples:

• For the individual: Just as one could not enter the Tabernacle proper without first passing the altar of burnt offering, so believers today must recognize Christ's sacrifice as the sole gateway to communion with God.
• For the community: The communal nature of the altar underscored that all Israelites, regardless of status, shared a common need for atonement and found reconciliation in God's prescribed way.