The big picture
The sanctuary plans received by Moses, Israel's leader, explain how its tent and inner furnishings must be made. The instructions now move to the outer altar and the surrounding court. Israel, the people camped below the mountain, will supply oil as well as building materials. Aaron, Moses' brother, and his sons will tend the light. The sacred dwelling needs both a completed structure and continuing care after it is built.
In this chapter
- A Portable Altar Receives Its Fittings Exodus 27:1-8
The altar must be square, made from wood and covered with metal.
- A Linen Court Surrounds the Sanctuary Exodus 27:9-19
A linen enclosure forms the sanctuary court.
- Aaron's Family Tends the Light Exodus 27:20-21
Israel must bring pure olive oil for the lamp so its light continues.
Central truth
God orders the outer altar and court, then assigns the people and priests an ongoing part in keeping the sanctuary lit.
Scripture beside the summary
Exodus · King James Version · 21Exodus 27:1-8
A Portable Altar Receives Its Fittings
The altar must be square, made from wood and covered with metal. Raised horns belong at its four corners. Pans for ashes, shovels, bowls, meat hooks, and firepans are made for its service. A metal grate and rings fit into the design, and covered wooden poles allow the altar to be carried. It is made hollow with boards according to the pattern shown on the mountain. The altar is not described only as a sacred shape. Its plan includes handling, cleaning, and movement as part of its use.
In everyday life
The mobile caterer checks a new cooking unit against its drawing. Ash trays, lifting points, and service tools matter as much as the main surface. A unit that looks complete but cannot be cleaned or moved is unfinished. The altar's work is sacrifice offered to God, not preparing meals for a catering business.
Notice
Exodus 27:3 Tools for ashes appear alongside tools for the offerings. The plan includes the work left after burning, rather than describing worship without its practical care.
Exodus 27:1-8
King James Version1And 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.
2And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
3And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
4And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.
5And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.
6And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.
7And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.
8Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
Exodus 27:9-19
A Linen Court Surrounds the Sanctuary
A linen enclosure forms the sanctuary court. The longer north and south sides each have twenty pillars, while the shorter ends have their assigned supports. The entrance faces east and has a coloured embroidered screen. Pillars, bases, hooks, bands, and pegs all receive material instructions. The court is one hundred cubits long, fifty wide, and five high. The measured boundary creates an enclosed area around the sanctuary. Its gate is clearly placed, so entry is directed rather than possible from every side.
In everyday life
One surveyor walks the boundary of a temporary outdoor clinic with a measured plan. Posts and fabric mark the working area, while a clearly placed entrance directs arrivals. Pegs matter because the enclosure must remain where it belongs. The court surrounds a sanctuary for God; this boundary organizes medical work and public access.
Notice
Exodus 27:16 The gate has coloured needlework unlike the plain linen lengths around it. The entrance is a distinct part of the enclosure, not a random gap.
Exodus 27:9-19
King James Version9And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
10And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.
11And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
12And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
13And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
14The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
15And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
16And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
17All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.
18The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
19All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
Exodus 27:20-21
Aaron's Family Tends the Light
Israel must bring pure olive oil for the lamp so its light continues. Aaron and his sons are responsible for tending it from evening to morning. It stands in the tent outside the curtain that lies before the testimony. This duty is a lasting rule for their generations on Israel's behalf. The people supply the fuel, and the priestly family maintains the light. Building the sanctuary is therefore not the end of the work. Its ordered service continues through repeated provision and care during the night.
In everyday life
The lighthouse keeper receives clean fuel from the harbour store and checks the burner before dusk. The supply crew and night keeper have different jobs in one continuing duty. A finished tower alone cannot keep a light burning. Ships depend on the keeper's beam, while Aaron's lamp is maintained before the LORD.
Notice
Exodus 27:21 The service is performed on Israel's behalf. A particular family tends the lamp, but the ongoing duty belongs within the worship of the whole people.
Exodus 27:20-21
King James Version20And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
21In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Exodus 27:1 begins with “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…”
Where the chapter turns
Exodus 27:11 forms a natural hinge: “And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the…”
The final note
Exodus 27:21 leaves the reader with “In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words cubits, brass, pillars, court, sockets, side help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- fleshhooks
- Hooks used to handle meat during the altar's sacrificial work.
- fillets
- Bands or connecting fittings around the court's supporting pillars.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
