Exodus 27 Study Notes

27:1 The altar (also called “the bronze altar”; see 38:30; 39:39) would sit outside the sanctuary or tabernacle proper in the middle of the courtyard square in front of the holy place. It was massive in size; a person of average height standing beside it would barely be able to look over it. Anything burning on it would be at about eye level or higher.

27:2 Discoveries by archaeologists indicate that horns were typical of stone altars. The incense altar would also have horns (30:1-2), which may have been symbols of strength. Psalm 118:27 mentions using ropes to tie a sacrifice to the altar’s horns. Blood was put on the horns of both the altar of burnt offering and the incense altar (Ex 29:12; 30:10; Lv 4:7,18,25,30,34; 8:15; 9:9; 16:18). A person seeking refuge in hope of avoiding death would grasp the horns on the altar for burnt offerings (1Kg 1:50-51; 2:28).

27:3-8 Since the altar was hollow, which helped make it portable, it could be filled with stones and earth each time the tabernacle was rebuilt (cp. 20:24).

27:9-19 The courtyard for the tabernacle would be enclosed by a fence 7 ½ feet high made with linen cloth hung from posts at 7 ½-foot intervals. Like the tabernacle proper, it would open to the east.

27:20-21 This variety of pure oil from crushed olives (crushed and pressed rather than ground in a mill) would give bright light with little smoke. Mention of Aaron and his sons, who would tend the lamp, prepares for the start of a lengthy section (chaps. 28-29) that describes preparations for their service. The tabernacle is called the tent of meeting in view of the Lord’s intention to meet with his people there (25:22; 29:42-43; 30:6,36).