Exodus 30:2 kjv
A cubit shall be the length thereof, and a cubit the breadth thereof; foursquare shall it be: and two cubits shall be the height thereof: the horns thereof shall be of the same.
Exodus 30:2 nkjv
A cubit shall be its length and a cubit its width?it shall be square?and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.
Exodus 30:2 niv
It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high?its horns of one piece with it.
Exodus 30:2 esv
A cubit shall be its length, and a cubit its breadth. It shall be square, and two cubits shall be its height. Its horns shall be of one piece with it.
Exodus 30:2 nlt
Make it 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.
Exodus 30 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 37:25 | And he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit was its length… | Bezaleel constructs the altar of incense. |
| Rev 8:3-4 | Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar… | Heavenly golden altar where prayers rise. |
| Exod 25:10 | They shall make an ark of acacia wood; two and a half cubits shall be… | Divine specification of cubit measure for Tabernacle. |
| Ezek 43:16 | The altar hearth, twelve cubits long, twelve cubits wide, square… | Example of another large, square altar. |
| Gen 6:15 | And this is how you shall make it: The length of the ark shall be… | Cubits used as a standard measure in Noah's ark. |
| Exod 27:1 | You shall make an altar of acacia wood, five cubits long… square… | The altar of burnt offering also specified as square. |
| Rev 21:16 | The city is laid out as a square; its length and width are equal… | The New Jerusalem's perfect square form. |
| Lev 4:7 | ...and sprinkle some on the horns of the altar of sweet incense… | Blood applied to the horns for atonement. |
| Lev 16:18-19 | ...and put some of the blood on the horns of the altar that is before… | Atonement Day ritual, blood on incense altar horns. |
| 1 Kgs 1:50-51 | Now Adonijah was afraid of Solomon; so he arose and went and took… | Adonijah seeking sanctuary by grasping altar horns. |
| Ps 118:27 | ...Bind the festival sacrifice with cords to the horns of the altar. | Altar horns linked to sacrifice. |
| Dan 8:3, 8 | Then I lifted my eyes and saw, and there, standing beside the river… | Horns as symbols of power or kingdoms. |
| Hab 3:4 | His brightness was like the light; He had rays [lit. 'horns'] from… | God's power described with "horns" (rays of glory). |
| Zech 1:18-21 | Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. | Horns as symbols of destructive earthly powers. |
| Rev 5:6 | And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne...stood a Lamb… | Christ depicted with seven horns, symbolizing perfect power. |
| Exod 30:1 | You shall make an altar to burn incense on; you shall make it of acacia… | Initial command for the altar of incense. |
| Exod 30:7-8 | Aaron shall burn on it sweet incense every morning… | Purpose of the Altar of Incense for daily prayer. |
| Exod 40:26-27 | He put the gold altar in the tabernacle, before the veil; and he burned… | Placement of the Altar of Incense in the Tabernacle. |
| Lk 1:9-10 | ...he went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. | Zacharias's service at the temple altar of incense. |
| Heb 9:4 | ...the golden altar of incense, and the ark of the covenant overlaid… | New Testament reference to the Altar of Incense's placement. |
Exodus 30 verses
Exodus 30 2 Meaning
This verse details the precise dimensions of the Altar of Incense: one cubit in length, one cubit in width, making it square, and two cubits in height. Crucially, its horns, located at the corners, were not separately attached but were formed as one integrated piece with the altar itself.
Exodus 30 2 Context
Exodus 30 initiates a new section within the detailed instructions for the Tabernacle and its service, specifically focusing on the sacred furniture that facilitates Israel's worship and communion with God. This verse follows the general command to construct the Altar of Incense and precedes the specific instructions for the special incense to be burned on it, as well as the anointing oil and atonement money. Historically, this chapter situates itself within God's covenant with Israel at Sinai, providing the intricate blueprint for His dwelling among them. The highly precise dimensions of the Altar of Incense differentiate the structured and divinely ordered worship of Yahweh from the often improvisational or variable cultic practices of surrounding pagan nations. Every detail specified speaks to God's exactness and the holiness required in His presence, emphasizing that the form of worship is as divinely ordained as the object of worship itself.
Exodus 30 2 Word analysis
- It shall be: Refers to the Altar of Incense commanded in Exodus 30:1. The impersonal phrasing emphasizes God's directive, not human choice.
- a cubit: (Hebrew: ʾammah) An ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm). The consistency of this measure throughout the Tabernacle construction highlights divine order and specific divine design.
- in length and a cubit in width: Specifies the horizontal dimensions. The measurement being identical indicates a perfect square base.
- it shall be square: (Hebrew: rābûaʿ) This word emphasizes geometrical perfection and balance. In biblical architecture (e.g., the altar of burnt offering, the breastplate of the high priest, the New Jerusalem), the square shape often symbolizes stability, completeness, and holiness. It represents divine order and immutability.
- and two cubits in height: Defines the vertical dimension. Being twice as high as its base length/width made it prominent and accessible for the High Priest during daily rituals. This elevated position underscores its function in sending up incense (prayers) heavenward.
- its horns: (Hebrew: qĕrānôt) These were projections, likely on the four upper corners of the altar. In the Bible, "horns" symbolize strength, power, dignity, and often salvation or refuge. Ritualistically, they were vital points where the blood of sin offerings was applied for atonement (e.g., Lev 4, 16). They also served as a place of refuge for those seeking sanctuary (e.g., 1 Kgs 1:50).
- shall be of one piece with it: (Hebrew: minnu, literally "from it" or "out of it") This phrasing emphasizes the horns were integral to the altar, not an addition. It signifies the complete unity and essential nature of its components. The power and atonement symbolism associated with the horns were inherent to the altar's very being and function, not secondary features.
Exodus 30 2 Bonus section
The placement of the Altar of Incense, directly before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place, is critical. This proximity to the Ark of the Covenant, where God's presence dwelt, underscored its role as the means for ascending communion and intercession. The smoke of the burning incense, rising directly before the throne of God, beautifully symbolized the prayers of the saints (compare Rev 8:3-4). The requirement for these exact, divinely given dimensions ensured that all aspects of worship were by God's command, demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over human approaches to Him and the precise pathway for fellowship. The repetition of the word "cubit" throughout the Tabernacle plans established a divinely-set standard, implying that spiritual measure and human action are calibrated by God’s design.
Exodus 30 2 Commentary
Exodus 30:2 provides the architectural details for the Altar of Incense, underscoring God's meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle. Its specific square dimensions (one cubit by one cubit) represent perfection and stability, symbolizing the unchanging nature of God's character and the ordered access to His presence. The altar's height (two cubits) elevated it, indicating the ascension of prayer and worship to God. The integrated "horns" are not mere decorations but carry profound symbolic weight, representing strength, power, atonement, and sanctuary. Their "one piece" construction emphasizes their essential, foundational role in the altar's function, especially in the context of rituals where blood was applied to them to make atonement. This precise design for the altar closest to the Holy of Holies highlighted the gravity, reverence, and prescribed nature of approaching the Holy God, a pattern for how true worship must proceed according to divine will.