About Exodus

Exodus tells the story of Israel's deliverance from Egyptian slavery, the giving of the Law at Sinai, and the establishment of the tabernacle as the center of worship.

Author: MosesWritten: c. 1445-1405 BCReading time: ~3 minVerses: 21
DeliveranceRedemptionCovenantLawWorshipGod's Presence

King James Version

Exodus 27

21 verses with commentary

The Bronze Altar

1

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 cubits.

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The bronze altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeach) of acacia wood overlaid with bronze stands at the tabernacle entrance—the first object worshipers encounter. Bronze consistently represents judgment; this altar where animals are consumed by fire prefigures Christ bearing God's judgment in our place. Measuring 5 × 5 × 3 cubits (approximately 7.5' square, 4.5' high), its size indicates the magnitude of sin requiring atonement. Christ's cross is our bronze altar where divine wrath was satisfied.
2

And 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.

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Four horns at the altar's corners, all one piece with it, overlaid with bronze. Horns in Scripture symbolize power and strength (Psalm 18:2); the altar's horns represent salvation's power—refuge for those grasping them (1 Kings 1:50-51). The four corners suggest universal availability—salvation extends to earth's four corners. That horns are one piece with the altar shows power inherent in the cross itself, not added externally. Christ's atonement contains intrinsic saving power.
3

And 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.

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Bronze utensils—pans (for ashes), shovels, basins (for blood), fleshhooks, firepans—all bronze. Even the implements serving the altar share its bronze (judgment) character. This teaches that everything associated with sin-bearing must partake of judgment's nature. The practical tools for handling sacrifice, ashes, and blood must be consecrated for their solemn work. There's no 'common' service at the cross; all is holy, all is serious.
4

And 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.

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A grate (network) of bronze holds the sacrifice, with bronze rings at its four corners. This grate sits below the altar's top, allowing ashes to fall through while supporting the burning sacrifice. The open network permits air circulation, enabling complete combustion—total consumption of the offering. Christ's sacrifice was complete, exhaustive, holding back nothing. The bronze rings again emphasize universality (four corners) and judgment (bronze) character.
5

And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

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The grate is placed 'under the compass of the altar beneath, that the network may be even to the midst of the altar.' This precise positioning—halfway up—ensures optimal burning. The attention to mechanics demonstrates that atonement, while spiritual, occurred in the material realm. Christ's death wasn't mystical abstraction but physical, historical event. The grate's exact placement prefigures how Christ's sacrifice occurred at the precise time, place, and manner God ordained (Galatians 4:4).
6

And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.

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Staves for the altar—acacia wood overlaid with bronze. Again the pattern: wood (humanity) covered with bronze (judgment). The altar must be transportable, following God's people through wilderness wanderings. Sin's consequences travel with fallen humanity; we carry guilt wherever we go. But the altar (atonement provision) also travels with us—God's grace matches our need. The staves prefigure how Christ's atonement has historical particularity yet universal availability.
7

And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.

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The staves are inserted through rings on the altar's sides for carrying—maintaining the pattern seen with the ark and table. Holy things must not be touched directly; God provides the prescribed means of transport. The altar, though bronze (judgment) rather than gold (deity), still requires reverent handling. Even judgment's instrument, when consecrated for God's atoning purposes, demands holy approach. We approach the cross with reverence, not presumption.
8

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it. it was: Heb. he shewed

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The altar is made 'hollow with boards'—not solid but a frame, likely filled with earth or stones at each camp (Exodus 20:24-25). This hollow construction made it portable yet functional. The principle: the altar's form matters (God's prescribed pattern) but its core is filled with created materials (earth/stones). Christ's humanity (earth) filled divine form, making atonement both heavenly in origin and earthly in execution. God's pattern received material substance.

The Court of the Tabernacle

9

And 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:

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The courtyard (חָצֵר, chatser) surrounding the tabernacle measures 100 × 50 cubits (approximately 150' × 75'), enclosed by fine linen hangings. This courtyard creates consecrated space—distinct from common ground yet accessible to all Israel. The white linen (righteousness) walls define boundaries between holy and common. They separate without hiding; transparency allows viewing in but creates clear demarcation. Christ's righteousness becomes the boundary defining God's people.
10

And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.

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Twenty pillars with twenty bronze sockets support the south side's hangings. Bronze sockets (versus silver inside the tabernacle) mark this outer courtyard as the place of judgment (bronze) before entering full redemption (silver). The twenty pillars suggest expectation/waiting—those in the courtyard await fuller access. These pillars, supporting righteous boundaries, prefigure how Christ's judgment-bearing provides the framework for righteousness that defines God's people.
11

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 hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.

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The north side receives identical treatment—twenty pillars, twenty bronze sockets, silver hooks and silver fillets (bands connecting pillars). The symmetry emphasizes that God's standards are consistent, not variable based on approach direction. North or south, the same righteousness (linen), same judgment foundation (bronze), same redeeming connections (silver hooks/bands) apply. Christ is 'the same yesterday, today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).
12

And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.

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The west end (rear) spans 50 cubits with ten pillars and ten sockets. Half as wide as the length (50 vs. 100), the courtyard forms a 2:1 rectangle. The number ten represents completeness; the west wall (behind the Most Holy Place) stands on complete foundation. This wall, most distant from the entrance, backs the holiest location—suggesting that God's deepest holiness rests on complete, perfect foundation.
13

And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.

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The east end (entrance side) also measures 50 cubits but contains the gate. The east faces the rising sun—symbolically appropriate for the entrance, as Christ is the 'Sun of righteousness' (Malachi 4:2) and 'Morning Star' (Revelation 22:16). This entrance side establishes that access comes from a specific direction, according to divine appointment. We don't approach God from any angle but through the prescribed door—Christ.
14

The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.

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On one side of the entrance: 15 cubits of hangings with three pillars and three sockets. The entrance doesn't span the full 50-cubit width but creates a defined gate. On each side of this gate, hangings maintain the boundary—righteousness (linen) surrounds the entrance, reminding us that access occurs within righteous parameters. We enter by grace but unto righteousness. The three pillars may suggest the Trinity's involvement in providing access.
15

And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.

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The other side of the entrance receives identical treatment—15 cubits of hangings, three pillars, three sockets. The symmetry creates a balanced, dignified entrance, suggesting that God's invitation is orderly, not chaotic. The matching sides show that all who enter do so on equal terms—no side entrance for privileged few, no inferior gate for lesser ones. Christ, the Door, is the same for all—'whosoever will may come' (Revelation 22:17).
16

And 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.

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The gate itself: 20 cubits of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen with needlework—matching the tabernacle's entrance and veil but without cherubim. The colorful, beautiful gate stands out from the plain white courtyard walls, drawing eyes and feet to the entrance. Christ, our Gate, displays heaven (blue), royalty (purple), sacrifice (scarlet), and righteousness (linen). His beauty attracts; His sacrifice enables entry. The needlework suggests the intricate providence weaving His life.
17

All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.

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Four pillars support the gate—the number of universality (four corners of earth). The entrance, though singular (one gate), extends to all (four pillars). Silver hooks and fillets but bronze sockets—the connection is redemptive (silver) while the foundation is judgment-bearing (bronze). Christ's universal invitation ('Come unto me, all' - Matthew 11:28) rests on His bearing judgment for all. The door's universality derives from judgment fully satisfied.
18

The 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. fifty: Heb. fifty by fifty

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Summary: the courtyard's complete dimensions—100 × 50 cubits, 5 cubits high (approximately 150' × 75' × 7.5'). These specific measurements create defined sacred space, neither too vast (overwhelming) nor too small (restrictive). The 5-cubit height (about 7.5 feet) allowed visibility of activity inside while maintaining separation—a reminder that God's workings are neither completely hidden nor fully exposed. We see 'through a glass darkly' but we do see (1 Corinthians 13:12).
19

All 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.

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All the tabernacle's vessels and all its pins (tent pegs) shall be bronze. Even the humble stakes securing the structure share judgment's metal. Nothing is too small or insignificant to be specified by God. The tent pegs—driven into earth, invisible to worshipers—bear bronze character. This teaches that even hidden, foundational elements of atonement partake of judgment. Christ's work includes not only visible cross but hidden suffering—Gethsemane's agony, Satan's temptations, poverty's humiliation.

Oil for the Lampstand

20

And 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. to burn: Heb. to ascend up

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Pure beaten olive oil for the lampstand's light—the oil must be the finest quality, extracted by beating/crushing (not pressing), and olive oil (symbol of the Spirit). The command for perpetual light ('burn always') means the priesthood must never let it extinguish. Christ, anointed by the Spirit without measure (John 3:34), is the perpetual light. His light never dims, never needs rekindling. Our lives, as lamps, require continuous supply of the Spirit's oil.
21

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 LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

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Aaron and his sons shall order the lamps from evening to morning before the Lord continually—a statute forever. Priestly duty involves tending God's light, maintaining it through the night. Darkness surrounds (evening to morning), but the light must persist. This prefigures Christ our High Priest who maintains light through history's 'night' until the daybreak. It also speaks to believers' priestly responsibility—tend the light, don't let it dim, maintain witness through darkness until dawn.

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