Exodus 27:1 - “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.
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What does "Exodus 27:1" mean?
This verse from Exodus 27:1 describes the construction and dimensions of the bronze altar of burnt offering that was to be placed in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Let's break it down:
"You shall make the altar of acacia wood": God is commanding Moses to build an altar. Acacia wood was a durable and relatively readily available wood in the desert. This wood would be the base structure of the altar.
"five cubits long, and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square": This gives the dimensions of the altar's surface. A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (about 18 inches or 45 centimeters). So, the altar would be about 7.5 feet (2.25 meters) long and 7.5 feet (2.25 meters) wide, making a square shape.
"and its height shall be three cubits": This sets the height of the altar. Using the same estimation of a cubit, the altar would be about 4.5 feet (1.35 meters) high.
In summary, the verse is a precise instruction for building a square, box-like structure of acacia wood, measuring approximately 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet by 4.5 feet, which served as the altar for burnt offerings in the Tabernacle.
Significance:
Purpose: This altar was where animals would be sacrificed to God. The burnt offerings were a form of atonement for sins, a way to seek forgiveness and maintain a relationship with God.
Symbolism: The altar, with its sacrifices, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of humanity.
Centrality: This altar was a central part of the Tabernacle's courtyard, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and atonement in the relationship between God and the Israelites.
God's Design: The precise measurements and materials specified demonstrate that God wanted the altar to be built according to His design and specifications. This emphasizes the importance of obedience and doing things God's way.
Exodus 27:1 - “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.
What does "Exodus 27:1" mean?
This verse from Exodus 27:1 describes the construction and dimensions of the bronze altar of burnt offering that was to be placed in the courtyard of the Tabernacle. Let's break it down:
"You shall make the altar of acacia wood": God is commanding Moses to build an altar. Acacia wood was a durable and relatively readily available wood in the desert. This wood would be the base structure of the altar.
"five cubits long, and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square": This gives the dimensions of the altar's surface. A cubit is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (about 18 inches or 45 centimeters). So, the altar would be about 7.5 feet (2.25 meters) long and 7.5 feet (2.25 meters) wide, making a square shape.
"and its height shall be three cubits": This sets the height of the altar. Using the same estimation of a cubit, the altar would be about 4.5 feet (1.35 meters) high.
In summary, the verse is a precise instruction for building a square, box-like structure of acacia wood, measuring approximately 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet by 4.5 feet, which served as the altar for burnt offerings in the Tabernacle.
Significance:
Purpose: This altar was where animals would be sacrificed to God. The burnt offerings were a form of atonement for sins, a way to seek forgiveness and maintain a relationship with God.
Symbolism: The altar, with its sacrifices, prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the sins of humanity.
Centrality: This altar was a central part of the Tabernacle's courtyard, emphasizing the importance of sacrifice and atonement in the relationship between God and the Israelites.
God's Design: The precise measurements and materials specified demonstrate that God wanted the altar to be built according to His design and specifications. This emphasizes the importance of obedience and doing things God's way.