Exodus 37 25

Exodus 37:25 kjv

And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.

Exodus 37:25 nkjv

He made the incense altar of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit and its width a cubit?it was square?and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it.

Exodus 37:25 niv

They made the altar of incense out of acacia wood. It was square, a cubit long and a cubit wide and two cubits high?its horns of one piece with it.

Exodus 37:25 esv

He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. Its length was a cubit, and its breadth was a cubit. It was square, and two cubits was its height. Its horns were of one piece with it.

Exodus 37:25 nlt

Then Bezalel made the incense altar of acacia wood. It was 18 inches square and 36 inches high, with horns at the corners carved from the same piece of wood as the altar itself.

Exodus 37 verses

Exodus 37 25 Meaning

Bezalel, the chief craftsman, constructed the incense altar precisely according to God's detailed instructions. Made of durable acacia wood and overlaid with pure gold (as specified in previous commands for this item), it was a cubit (approximately 18-21 inches) in length and breadth, creating a perfect foursquare shape, and stood two cubits high. The altar's distinctive horns, which were integrated with its structure, were also crafted from the same acacia wood, then overlaid with gold. This sacred altar was positioned in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle and served the exclusive purpose of burning specially prepared holy incense, symbolizing the constant prayers and intercession of the people ascending to God's presence.

Exodus 37 25 Context

Exodus 37 is part of a lengthy section in the book detailing the physical construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings. Chapters 25-31 record God's precise and extensive blueprints given to Moses on Mount Sinai, outlining every material, dimension, and function. Following these divine directives, chapters 35-40 describe the faithful execution of these plans by Bezalel, Oholiab, and other skilled craftsmen, enabled by the Holy Spirit, along with the willing contributions of the Israelites. Verse 25 specifically details the manufacturing of the incense altar, an item that stood within the Holy Place, situated immediately before the veil that separated this chamber from the Most Holy Place. Its distinct purpose was not for animal sacrifices but for the daily burning of holy incense, an act central to Israel's worship and communion with God. This meticulous re-narration emphasizes God's precise demands for worship and the people's obedient response.

Exodus 37 25 Word analysis

• "And he made" (וַיַּעַשׂ, wayya'as): Refers to Bezalel, divinely gifted and appointed (Exo 31:2-5), indicating that the construction was not merely human effort but Spirit-enabled work done in obedience to God's detailed specifications.
• "the incense altar" (מִזְבַּח הַקְּטֹרֶת, mizbeach haqqetoret): Mizbeach means "altar," a place of ritual offering and approach to God. HaQetoret (the incense) highlights its specific, holy purpose. This altar was distinctly separate from the bronze altar for burnt offerings (Exo 27:1), symbolizing a focus on intercession and worship rather than atonement via sacrifice.
• "of acacia wood" (עֲצֵי שִׁטִּים, atzei shittim): Durable, strong, and rot-resistant wood prevalent in the wilderness. Symbolically, the wood represents the human, natural element (referencing Christ's humanity) which is elevated and preserved by being overlaid with pure gold (referencing Christ's divinity/glory and perfection).
• "the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit": A "cubit" (ammah) was an ancient measure (forearm length, approximately 18-21 inches). These precise dimensions underscore God's exact requirements for sacred worship, allowing no room for human improvisation. The small size reflects its internal placement and focused purpose on fragrance, not large sacrifices.
• "it was foursquare" (רָבוּעַ, rabua): Meaning "squared" or "four-sided." This shape symbolizes stability, completeness, and balance, a pattern seen in other sacred objects and ultimately in the heavenly city (Rev 21:16), denoting divine order and justice in all directions.
• "and two cubits was the height of it": Taller than it was wide or long, giving it prominence. This height visually suggests the rising of the incense and prayers, reaching upward towards God and His throne in the Most Holy Place.
• "the horns thereof" (קַרְנֹתָיו, qarnotayv): Plural of qeren, "horn." On altars, horns symbolized strength, power, and refuge. They were key points for applying sacrificial blood on the Day of Atonement (Lev 16:18), thereby extending the sphere of atonement into daily worship and sanctification.
• "were of the same": Implies the horns were integral to the altar, constructed of the same acacia wood and then overlaid with gold (Exo 30:3), signifying unity of purpose, consistent holy nature, and the integrated strength and efficacy of the altar's function.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And he made the incense altar of acacia wood": Highlights divine mandate carried out through Spirit-enabled skill, creating a specific instrument for spiritual offering from earthly, durable materials, symbolizing the tangible means of communion with a holy God.
• "the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare": Emphasizes the unyielding precision of God's design. The "foursquare" perfection speaks to the completeness, stability, and ordered nature of God's dwelling and the means He prescribed for approach and worship, signifying universal truth and unchangeable divine standard.
• "and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same": The elevated height signifies spiritual aspiration and the ascent of prayers to God. The integrated horns, made of the same materials, denote inherent strength, power, and an unbreakable connection to the atonement, indicating that the efficacy of prayer and access to God are rooted in His might and sacrificial provision.

Exodus 37 25 Bonus section

The incense altar is sometimes referred to as the "golden altar" in the Scriptures (Num 4:11; 1 Kgs 7:48; Heb 9:4) due to its gold overlay, to distinguish it clearly from the much larger bronze altar for burnt offerings outside the Tabernacle. This nomenclature highlights its preciousness and sacred nature, setting it apart as an item in the immediate presence of God. While the Bronze Altar pointed to the sacrifice necessary for salvation (justification), the Golden Altar symbolized continuous communion, prayer, and intercession possible after atonement (sanctification and fellowship). This sequence underscores the spiritual truth that reconciliation with God precedes ongoing relationship and intimate worship.

Exodus 37 25 Commentary

Exodus 37:25 details the construction of the incense altar, a testament to God's exactness in worship and Bezalel's Spirit-led obedience. Made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, its very materials signified a blend of humble creation and divine glory, foreshadowing the Incarnation of Christ. This small, foursquare altar, two cubits high with prominent horns, stood within the Tabernacle's Holy Place, not for sacrifice, but for the daily burning of holy incense. This act profoundly symbolized the constant ascent of prayers from God's people to His presence (Ps 141:2, Rev 5:8, Rev 8:3-4). The horns were critical points for atonement rites, demonstrating that even intercessory prayer and communion with God relied on prior atonement (Lev 16:18). Ultimately, this altar points to Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, who eternally intercedes for us in the heavenly sanctuary, making our prayers acceptable to God and providing confident access to His throne of grace (Heb 7:25, Heb 4:16). It emphasizes that true worship is not arbitrary but occurs through divinely appointed means and perfect submission to God's will.