XXVII. THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING. (1) THOU SHALT MAKE AN ALTAR. — Heb., _the altar._ It is assumed that a sanctuary must have an altar, worship without sacrifice being unknown. (See Exodus 5:1; Exodus 8:25; Exodus 12:27; Exodus 18:12; Exodus 20:24, &c.) OF SHITTIM WOOD. — This direction seems at... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HORNS OF IT. — It is not true to say, as Kalisch does, that “the altars of almost all ancient nations were frequently provided with horns.” On the contrary, horns were, so far as is known, peculiar to Israelite altars. Originally, they would seem to have been mere ornaments at the four upper cor... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS PANS TO RECEIVE HIS ASHES. — Scuttles, in which the ashes were placed for removal from the sanctuary, are intended. The word translated “to receive his ashes” is a rare one, and implies a mixture with the ashes of unburnt fat. HIS SHOVELS. — A right rendering. The “shovels” would be used in cle... [ Continue Reading ]
A GRATE OF NETWORK. — Rather, _a grating of network._ The position of the grating is doubtful. According to one view, it reached from the middle of the altar to its base, and protected the sides of the altar from the feet of the ministering priests. According to another, it surrounded the upper part... [ Continue Reading ]
UNDER THE COMPASS OF THE ALTAR BENEATH. — The position of the network depends upon this expression. Was “the compass of the altar” its circumference at the top, or was it a belt or step encircling the altar half-way up? The low height of the altar — four feet six inches — would seem to make a “step”... [ Continue Reading ]
STAVES FOR THE ALTAR. — See Note 2 on Exodus 27:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
HOLLOW WITH BOARDS. — Compare the second Note on Exodus 27:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE SOUTH SIDE SOUTHWARD. — Rather, _for the south side upon the right._ (See Note on Exodus 26:18.) HANGINGS. — The word used is new and rare. It is rendered ίστία, “sails,” by the LXX., and seems to designate a coarse sail-cloth, woven with interstices, through which what went on inside the c... [ Continue Reading ]
THE COURT OF THE TABERNACLE. (9-18) Almost every ancient temple stood within a sacred enclosure, which isolated it from the common working world, and rendered its religious character more distinctly apparent. Such enclosures were particularly affected by the Egyptians, and were usually oblong squar... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THE TWENTY PILLARS THEREOF... — Heb., _and its pillars, twenty_ (in number), _and their bases, also twenty_ (shall be) _of bronze._ Kalisch says that the pillars of the court were “of wood, not plated with metal” (_Comment.,_ p. 371); but the present passage, and also Exodus 38:10, rightly trans... [ Continue Reading ]
THE NORTH SIDE... This side of the court was to be in exact correspondence with the south. The western side was to be of only half the length (fifty cubits), and required therefore only half the number of pillars and sockets.... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE EAST SIDE EASTWARD. — Rather, _in front, towards the east._ Both the tabernacle and the Temple faced to the east, which was regarded as “the front of the world” by the Orientals generally. The belief was probably connected with the sun’s rising, towards which men in early times looked anxious... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HANGINGS OF ONE SIDE. — Rather, _at one side._ On three sides of the court — the south, the west, and the north — there was to be no interruption in the hangings — no entrance or gateway. But it was otherwise on the fourth side, towards the east. Here was to be the entrance to the court, and her... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE GATE OF THE COURT — i.e., the entrance. AN HANGING. — The word is the same as that similarly translated in Exodus 26:36 and Exodus 26:37 of Exodus 26; and the description of the “hanging” is also, word for word, the same. It would contrast strongly with the plain white “sail-cloth” round th... [ Continue Reading ]
FILLETED WITH SILVER. — Rather, _united by silver rods._ (See the last Note on Exodus 27:10.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LENGTH... AN HUNDRED CUBITS. — Comp. Exodus 27:9, where this is given as the length of the hangings. THE BREADTH FIFTY. — Comp. Exodus 27:12. THE HEIGHT FIVE CUBITS. — This had not been previously either stated or implied. It has been noted that, with one exception, all the measurements of the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE VESSELS AND PINS. (19) ALL THE VESSELS OF THE TABERNACLE — i.e., all those which had not already been appointed to be of A richer material. (Comp. Exodus 25:38.) Bronze was the most convenient material for vessels, and maintained its place even in the magnificent Temple of Solomon (1 Kings 7:15... [ Continue Reading ]
THE OIL FOR THE LAMP. (20) THOU SHALT COMMAND THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL that THEY BRING thee PURE OLIVE OIL. — This instruction had been already given (Exodus 25:2; Exodus 25:6), only not with such particularity. “Oil” had been required, but not “pure olive oil beaten.” By this is meant the best possi... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION. — Heb., _in the tent of meeting_ — _i.e.,_ the place where God met the earthly ruler of His people. (See Exodus 25:22.) BEFORE THE TESTIMONY — _i.e.,_ in front of the Ark which contained “the Testimony,” or “Two Tables.” (See Note on Exodus 16:34.) AARON AND... [ Continue Reading ]