Exodus / Chapter 27

Exodus 27

21 verses • Westminster Leningrad Codex 1 tradition available

Translator's Introduction

What This Chapter Is About

God gives instructions for the bronze altar of burnt offering — the first object encountered in the courtyard — along with its utensils, the courtyard enclosure of linen hangings on bronze pillars, and the perpetual lamp fueled by pure olive oil.

What Makes This Chapter Remarkable

The altar's horns (qarnot) project from the four corners as a single piece with the altar — blood is applied to these horns in sacrificial rituals, and they serve as a place of sanctuary (1 Kings 1:50). The courtyard material hierarchy creates a holiness gradient: bronze in the courtyard, silver at the structure's base, gold in the interior. The perpetual lamp (ner tamid, v20) burns 'from evening to morning' — light never ceases in the space where God dwells. Israel's first communal obligation is to supply oil for this unending flame.

Translation Friction

We rendered mizbach ha'olah as 'altar of burnt offering' rather than simply 'altar,' to distinguish it from the incense altar introduced in chapter 30. The bronze (nechoshet) overlay reflects the courtyard's position in the holiness gradient — not gold (interior) but the appropriate metal for the space of sacrifice. The phrase ner tamid ('perpetual lamp') we rendered as such, noting that 'perpetual' (tamid) means continually maintained, not miraculously self-sustaining.

Connections

The altar's design anticipates Solomon's much larger bronze altar (2 Chronicles 4:1). The horns of the altar appear in 1 Kings 1:50-51 and Psalm 118:27. The perpetual lamp connects to the seven-branched lampstand of 25:31-40 and anticipates the 'lamp of God' in Samuel's temple (1 Samuel 3:3). The courtyard enclosure establishes the boundary between sacred and common space.

Exodus 27:1

וְעָשִׂ֥יתָ אֶת־הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים חָמֵשׁ֩ אַמּ֨וֹת אֹ֜רֶךְ וְחָמֵ֧שׁ אַמּ֣וֹת רֹ֗חַב רָב֤וּעַ יִהְיֶה֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וְשָׁלֹ֥שׁ אַמּ֖וֹת קֹמָתֽוֹ׃

"You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide — the altar shall be square — and three cubits high.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The bronze altar (mizbach hanechoshet) is the first object encountered upon entering the courtyard — sacrifice is the gateway to God's presence. Five cubits square (approximately 7.5 x 7.5 feet) and three cubits high (approximately 4.5 feet), it is the largest piece of tabernacle furniture.

Exodus 27:2

וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ קַרְנֹתָ֗יו עַ֚ל אַרְבַּ֣ע פִּנֹּתָ֔יו מִמֶּ֖נּוּ תִּהְיֶ֣יןָ קַרְנֹתָ֑יו וְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹת֖וֹ נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

You shall make horns for it on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

'Horns on its four corners' (qarnot al arba pinnotav) — the horns are projections at each corner, integral to the altar ('of one piece with it'). Blood is applied to these horns during sacrificial rituals (Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25, 30). A person could grasp the horns for sanctuary (1 Kings 1:50). The horn symbolizes power and refuge.

Exodus 27:3

וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ סִּֽירֹתָיו֙ לְדַשְּׁנ֔וֹ וְיָעָיו֙ וּמִזְרְקֹתָ֔יו וּמִזְלְגֹתָ֖יו וּמַחְתֹּתָ֑יו לְכׇל־כֵּלָ֖יו תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

You shall make pots for removing its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and fire pans. You shall make all its utensils of bronze.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The altar's utensils are all bronze — pots, shovels, basins, forks, fire pans. The bronze material reflects the courtyard's position in the holiness gradient: not gold (interior), not silver (structural), but bronze (sacrificial/external).

Exodus 27:4

וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ לּוֹ֙ מִכְבָּ֔ר מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֶ֣שֶׁת נְחֹ֑שֶׁת וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ עַל־הָרֶ֗שֶׁת אַרְבַּע֙ טַבְּעֹ֣ת נְחֹ֔שֶׁת עַ֖ל אַרְבַּ֥ע קְצוֹתָֽיו׃

You shall make for it a grating, a network of bronze, and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The bronze grating sits inside the altar, allowing air circulation for the fire and drainage for the blood. The engineering serves the sacrificial function — nothing in the design is merely decorative.

Exodus 27:5

וְנָתַתָּ֣ה אֹתָ֗הּ תַּ֛חַת כַּרְכֹּ֥ב הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ מִלְּמָ֑טָּה וְהָיְתָ֣ה הָרֶ֔שֶׁת עַ֖ד חֲצִ֥י הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃

You shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The net extends halfway down — the upper portion holds the fire and sacrifice, the lower portion provides structural support and airflow.

Exodus 27:6

וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ בַדִּים֙ לַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ בַּדֵּ֖י עֲצֵ֣י שִׁטִּ֑ים וְצִפִּיתָ֥ אֹתָ֖ם נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Carrying poles of acacia and bronze — the altar, like the ark, table, and lampstand, is portable. Every piece of sacred furniture moves with Israel.

Exodus 27:7

וְהוּבָ֥א אֶת־בַּדָּ֖יו בַּטַּבָּעֹ֑ת וְהָי֣וּ הַבַּדִּ֗ים עַל־שְׁתֵּ֛י צַלְעֹ֥ת הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ בִּשְׂאֵ֥ת אֹתֽוֹ׃

The poles shall be put through the rings, so that the poles are on the two sides of the altar when it is carried.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Poles through rings on two sides — the carrying system is consistent across all tabernacle pieces. The altar is always ready to travel.

Exodus 27:8

נְב֥וּב לֻחֹ֖ת תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה אֹת֑וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר הֶרְאָ֥ה אֹתְךָ֛ בָּהָ֖ר כֵּ֥ן יַעֲשֽׂוּ׃ {ס}

You shall make it hollow, with boards. As it was shown to you on the mountain, so shall it be made.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

'Hollow, with boards' — the altar is not solid but a frame structure, likely filled with earth at each campsite (cf. 20:24, 'an altar of earth you shall make for Me'). The heavenly pattern shown on the mountain governs the construction.

Exodus 27:9

וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ אֵ֖ת חֲצַ֣ר הַמִּשְׁכָּ֑ן לִפְאַ֣ת נֶֽגֶב־תֵּ֠ימָ֠נָה קְלָעִ֨ים לֶחָצֵ֜ר שֵׁ֣שׁ מׇשְׁזָ֗ר מֵאָ֤ה בָֽאַמָּה֙ אֹ֔רֶךְ לַפֵּאָ֖ה הָאֶחָֽת׃

"You shall make the courtyard of the tabernacle. On the south side the courtyard shall have hangings of finely twisted linen, a hundred cubits long on that side.

KJV 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:

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The courtyard (chatser) is the outermost sacred zone — 100 x 50 cubits (approximately 150 x 75 feet). Linen hangings create walls that separate sacred space from the surrounding camp. The enclosure is visible but not transparent: the linen creates a boundary without a barrier to sight.

Exodus 27:10

וְעַמֻּדָ֣יו עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֥ם עֶשְׂרִ֖ים נְחֹ֑שֶׁת וָוֵ֧י הָעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃

Its twenty pillars and their twenty bases shall be of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their bands shall be of silver.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Twenty pillars on the south side with bronze bases and silver hooks — the material gradient continues: bronze at ground level, silver at attachment points. The courtyard is less holy than the sanctuary interior but holier than the camp beyond.

Exodus 27:11

וְכֵ֨ן לִפְאַ֤ת צָפוֹן֙ בָּאֹ֔רֶךְ קְלָעִ֖ים מֵ֣אָה אֹ֑רֶךְ וְעַמֻּדָ֣ו עֶשְׂרִ֗ים וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֤ם עֶשְׂרִים֙ נְחֹ֔שֶׁת וָוֵ֧י הָֽעַמֻּדִ֛ים וַחֲשֻׁקֵיהֶ֖ם כָּֽסֶף׃

Likewise along the north side there shall be hangings a hundred cubits long, with twenty pillars and twenty bronze bases. The hooks and bands of the pillars shall be of silver.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The north side mirrors the south — bilateral symmetry governs the entire tabernacle complex.

Exodus 27:12

וְרֹ֤חַב הֶֽחָצֵר֙ לִפְאַת־יָ֔ם קְלָעִ֖ים חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים אַמָּ֑ה עַמֻּדֵיהֶ֣ם עֲשָׂרָ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם עֲשָׂרָֽה׃

The width of the courtyard on the west side shall have hangings of fifty cubits, with ten pillars and ten bases.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The west side (back of the tabernacle) is fifty cubits — half the length of the sides. The courtyard is twice as long as it is wide, creating a rectangular processional space leading toward the sanctuary.

Exodus 27:13

וְרֹ֣חַב הֶֽחָצֵ֗ר לִפְאַ֛ת קֵ֥דְמָה מִזְרָ֖חָה חֲמִשִּׁ֥ים אַמָּֽה׃

The width of the courtyard on the east side shall be fifty cubits.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The east side (front, entrance side) is also fifty cubits wide but divided by the gate.

Exodus 27:14

וַחֲמֵ֨שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֥ה אַמָּ֛ה קְלָעִ֖ים לַכָּתֵ֑ף עַמֻּדֵיהֶ֣ם שְׁלֹשָׁ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם שְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃

The hangings on one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits, with three pillars and three bases.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Fifteen cubits of hangings on one side of the gate — the entrance is centered on the east wall.

Exodus 27:15

וְלַכָּתֵף֙ הַשֵּׁנִ֔ית חֲמֵ֥שׁ עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה קְלָעִ֑ים עַמֻּדֵיהֶ֣ם שְׁלֹשָׁ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם שְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃

On the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits, with three pillars and three bases.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Fifteen cubits on the other side — the gate is flanked symmetrically. The entrance is twenty cubits wide (v16), leaving fifteen cubits of hanging on each side.

Exodus 27:16

וּלְשַׁ֨עַר הֶֽחָצֵ֜ר מָסָ֣ךְ ׀ עֶשְׂרִ֣ים אַמָּ֗ה תְּכֵ֨לֶת וְאַרְגָּמָ֜ן וְתוֹלַ֧עַת שָׁנִ֛י וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מׇשְׁזָ֖ר מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה רֹקֵ֑ם עַמֻּֽדֵיהֶם֙ אַרְבָּעָ֔ה וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם אַרְבָּעָֽה׃

For the gate of the courtyard there shall be a screen twenty cubits long, of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, the work of an embroiderer, with four pillars and four bases.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The gate screen is the courtyard's entrance — embroidered (not woven with cherubim like the inner veil). Blue, purple, scarlet, and linen: the same four materials used throughout the tabernacle, maintaining visual continuity from outer entrance to inner sanctuary.

Exodus 27:17

כׇּל־עַמּוּדֵ֨י הֶֽחָצֵ֤ר סָבִיב֙ מְחֻשָּׁקִ֣ים כֶּ֔סֶף וָוֵיהֶ֖ם כָּ֑סֶף וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

All the pillars around the courtyard shall be banded with silver. Their hooks shall be of silver and their bases of bronze.

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

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

Silver bands and hooks throughout — silver is the connecting material that holds the courtyard together, just as silver bases hold the tabernacle frames.

Exodus 27:18

אֹ֣רֶךְ הֶֽחָצֵר֩ מֵאָ֨ה בָֽאַמָּ֜ה וְרֹ֣חַב ׀ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים בַּחֲמִשִּׁ֗ים וְקֹמָ֛ה חָמֵ֥שׁ אַמּ֖וֹת שֵׁ֣שׁ מׇשְׁזָ֑ר וְאַדְנֵיהֶ֖ם נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃

The length of the courtyard shall be a hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height five cubits, with hangings of finely twisted linen and bases of bronze.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

The complete dimensions are stated: 100 x 50 x 5 cubits. The five-cubit height of the hangings is high enough to block ground-level view but low enough that the tabernacle structure rises above it, visible from the camp.

Exodus 27:19

לְכֹל֙ כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּשְׁכָּ֔ן בְּכֹ֖ל עֲבֹדָת֑וֹ וְכׇל־יְתֵדֹתָ֛יו וְכׇל־יִתְדֹ֥ת הֶחָצֵ֖ר נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃ {ס}

All the utensils of the tabernacle used in all its service, and all its tent pegs, and all the tent pegs of the courtyard, shall be of bronze.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

All utensils and tent pegs are bronze. The inventory ensures completeness — nothing is overlooked. The pegs anchor the entire structure against wind.

Samaritan Pentateuch (4th c. BCE divergence)minor

"(Expanded furnishing details)"

SP occasionally adds minor details to the tabernacle instructions, harmonizing with the execution account in chapters 35-40.

Exodus 27:20

וְאַתָּ֞ה תְּצַוֶּ֣ה ׀ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וְיִקְח֨וּ אֵלֶ֜יךָ שֶׁ֣מֶן זַ֥יִת זָ֛ךְ כָּתִ֖ית לַמָּא֑וֹר לְהַעֲלֹ֥ת נֵ֖ר תָּמִֽיד׃

"You shall command the sons of Israel to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep a lamp burning continually.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

'Clear oil of pressed olives' (shemen zayit zakh) — the finest quality olive oil, cold-pressed without heat to ensure clarity. The eternal light (ner tamid) in the tabernacle burns the best fuel available. God's light is sustained by the people's contribution.

Exodus 27:21

בְּאֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵד֩ מִח֨וּץ לַפָּרֹ֜כֶת אֲשֶׁ֣ר עַל־הָעֵדֻ֗ת יַעֲרֹךְ֩ אֹת֨וֹ אַהֲרֹ֧ן וּבָנָ֛יו מֵעֶ֥רֶב עַד־בֹּ֖קֶר לִפְנֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה חֻקַּ֤ת עוֹלָם֙ לְדֹ֣רֹתָ֔ם מֵאֵ֖ת בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ {ס}

In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the Testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the LORD. It shall be an eternal statute throughout their generations on behalf of the sons of Israel.

KJV 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.

Notes & Key Terms

Translator Notes

'From evening to morning' — the lamp burns through the night, ensuring the tabernacle is never in darkness. Aaron and his sons tend it — priestly service includes the maintenance of sacred light. 'An eternal statute' (chuqqat olam) — the lamp-tending obligation is perpetual, binding across all generations.

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