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Exodus 27

World English Bible

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1“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide. The altar shall be square. Its height shall be three cubits. 2You shall make its horns on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with bronze. 3You shall make its pots to take away its ashes; and its shovels, its basins, its meat hooks, and its fire pans. You shall make all its vessels of bronze. 4You shall make a grating for it of network of bronze. On the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners. 5You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar. 6You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7Its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar when carrying it. 8You shall make it hollow with planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain. 9“You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen one hundred cubits long for one side. 10Its pillars shall be twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 11Likewise for the length of the north side, there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 12For the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits; their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. 13The width of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. 14The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15For the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16For the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer; their pillars four, and their sockets four. 17All the pillars of the court around shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of bronze. 18The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, and the width fifty throughout, and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen, and their sockets of bronze. 19All the instruments of the tabernacle in all its service, and all its pins, and all the pins of the court, shall be of bronze. 20“You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 21In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Exodus Chapter 27 provides detailed instructions for the construction of the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of worship and sacrifice in the Israelite community. The chapter begins with the specifications for the altar, which is to be made of acacia wood and covered with bronze. This altar, measuring five cubits long and five cubits wide, is central to the sacrificial system, where the Israelites will bring their offerings to atone for their sins and express gratitude to God. The use of bronze signifies the altar's role in judgment and purification, as sacrifices are made to restore the relationship between God and His people. The altar is also equipped with horns on its corners, symbolizing strength and the power of God’s mercy when sacrifices are offered in faith.

The chapter continues with instructions for the courtyard surrounding the Tabernacle, which is to be enclosed by curtains made of fine linen. The entrance to the courtyard is to be adorned with a screen of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, signifying the beauty and holiness of God’s dwelling place among His people. The chapter concludes with a reminder of the importance of maintaining the lamps in the Tabernacle, ensuring that the light of God’s presence is always shining. This chapter highlights the significance of proper worship and the need for a holy space where God can meet with His people, reinforcing the themes of holiness, sacrifice, and divine presence in the life of Israel.

Overall, Exodus 27 serves as a foundational text for understanding the sacrificial system and the importance of approaching God with reverence and obedience, as seen throughout the rest of the Pentateuch. The meticulous details reflect God’s desire for His people to worship Him in a manner that is pleasing and acceptable, pointing ultimately to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who fulfills the sacrificial system established in the Old Testament.

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Referenced by

  1. Leviticus 24:2v20Leviticus 24:2 instructs the Israelites to bring pure olive oil for the lampstand, a command that is first given in Exodus 27:20-21, emphasizing the importance of continual light in the Tabernacle.
  2. 2 Chronicles 4:1v12 Chronicles 4:1 describes the construction of the bronze altar for Solomon's Temple, which follows the pattern given for the altar in the Tabernacle as detailed in Exodus 27:1-8.
  3. Ezra 3:2v1Ezra 3:2 describes the rebuilding of the altar of God by Jeshua and Zerubbabel. Exodus 27:1-8 provides the original instructions for building the altar, highlighting the continuity of worship practices from the time of Moses.
  4. Ezekiel 40:5v9Ezekiel 40:5 describes the measurements of the temple, which echoes the detailed instructions for the tabernacle's construction in Exodus 27:9-19, highlighting the continuity of God's dwelling place among His people.

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