Exodus 27:1 - Printer Friendly

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.

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

NASB: Now you shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits.

CSB: "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, 7½ feet long, and 7½ feet wide; it must be 4½ feet high.

NLT: Using acacia wood, construct a square altar 7 1/2 feet wide, 7 1/2 feet long, and 4 1/2 feet high.

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.

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 27:1–8 records the construction of a bronze sacrificial altar. Israel is to make this of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. Four "horns" protrude from the corners. A grating sits inside and halfway up the altar's height. This altar is carried with bronze-coated poles. This will be known as the "altar of burnt offering" (Leviticus 4:7; 16:18) and placed directly inside the courtyard of the tabernacle.

This passage describes more components of the tabernacle (Exodus 25:8–9). These include a bronze altar for burnt sacrifices. The tabernacle itself (Exodus 26) sits inside a courtyard marked by hanging linens. This area is also home to a basin to be explained later (Exodus 30:17–18).

The Lord is describing the sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9) and sacred objects which Israel is to build. Chapter 25 included the ark, a sacred table, and a lampstand. Chapter 26 described the tabernacle itself, made of wooden scaffolds, linen, and animal skins. This passage depicts the bronze altar, courtyard walls, and lamp oil. Future chapters will discuss priestly concerns, an incense altar, and other regulations.

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 6/20/2025 12:34:32 AM