Exodus - Chapter 27

Exodus 27.1 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. Exodus 27.2 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. Exodus 27.3 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. Exodus 27.4 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. Exodus 27.5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar. Exodus 27.6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass. Exodus 27.7 And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it. Exodus 27.8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it. Exodus 27.9 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: Exodus 27.10 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. Exodus 27.11 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. Exodus 27.12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten. Exodus 27.13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. Exodus 27.14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. Exodus 27.15 And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three. Exodus 27.16 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. Exodus 27.17 All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass. Exodus 27.18 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. Exodus 27.19 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. Exodus 27.20 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. Exodus 27.21 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.

Exodus : Chapter 27

Reflections on Exodus Chapter 27 Exodus chapter 27 continues its detailed description of the instructions for the Tabernacle, a sacred place where worship of God is celebrated. This text invites us to meditate on how the altar and the atrium contribute to divine worship. In particular, it mentions the altar of burnt offering, the courtyard, and the oil for the lampstand. Through these elements, we address fundamental themes such as sacrifice, access to God, and spiritual enlightenment. Exodus 27 highlights the importance of each component in the liturgy, reminding us that each detail has profound significance in our relationship with the Creator. We invite you to meditate together on five biblical passages that resonate with the practical and spiritual aspects of this liturgical chapter.

Biblical passages to meditate on

Hebrews 13:10: "We have an altar on which those who serve in the tabernacle may not eat." This passage refers to the altar described in Exodus 27, comparing it to the Christian spiritual altar, thus emphasizing the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.

Revelation 8:3: "Another angel came and stood at the altar, bearing a golden censer. And there was given him much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne." This heavenly vision echoes the description of the altar of incense in Exodus 27, establishing a link between our prayers and heavenly worship.

Romans 12:1: "Therefore, brethren, I beseech you by the mercies of God, that you offer yourselves a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God; this is your proper service." The apostle Paul uses the sacrificial terminology associated with the altar of Exodus 27 to describe our Christian life as an act of devotion.

1 Peter 2:5: "You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." The apostle Peter evokes the language of the tabernacle and the altar of Exodus 27, illustrating the universal priesthood of believers.

Matthew 5:14-16: "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. Also, no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl. Instead, put it in its proper place and give light to everyone in the house. Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of light, reminiscent of the menorah described in Exodus 27, to define the luminous role of his disciples in the world.

In conclusion, contemplating these passages helps us understand how each element of worship, as described in Exodus 27, resonates in our daily lives as Christians. Let us reflect on these truths and seek to apply them in our spiritual commitment and our witness in the world.