Exodus 27 Study Notes
General
True or False: According to 27:8, the bronze altar was to be built hollow, made with boards.
Answer: True
This is true. The altar was not a solid block. It was framed from boards and left empty inside (27:8), and it had bronze-covered poles, inserted through its rings and running along two sides, so it could be carried (27:6-7). Like everything else in the tabernacle, it had to match what Moses had been shown on Sinai (27:8). Bezalel built it this way (38:7), and when Israel moved camp, the altar was covered and its poles were put in place for carrying (Numbers 4:14). A hollow altar with carrying poles suited a people on the move through the wilderness.
- Exodus 27:6-8 (BSB)“Additionally, make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be inserted into the rings so that the poles are on two sides of the altar when it is carried. Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.”The altar has bronze-covered poles for carrying, is built hollow with boards, and follows what Moses was shown.
- Exodus 38:7 (BSB)“Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. He made the altar with boards so that it was hollow.”Bezalel inserted the poles for carrying and made the altar hollow with boards, as commanded.
- Numbers 4:14 (BSB)“and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.”When the camp moved, the altar was covered and its poles inserted for carrying.
Theological
True or False: Exodus 27:8 specifies that the altar be constructed hollow, of boards.
Answer: True
This is true. The altar is framed of boards so as to be hollow (27:8), with bronze-overlaid poles inserted through its rings and running along two sides for transport (27:6-7), and it too must conform to what Moses saw on Sinai (27:8). It was built accordingly (38:7) and carried on its poles when the camp moved (Numbers 4:14), a portable altar for a pilgrim people.
- Exodus 27:6-8 (BSB)“Additionally, make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. The poles are to be inserted into the rings so that the poles are on two sides of the altar when it is carried. Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.”The altar has bronze-covered poles for carrying, is built hollow with boards, and follows what Moses was shown.
- Exodus 38:7 (BSB)“Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. He made the altar with boards so that it was hollow.”Bezalel inserted the poles for carrying and made the altar hollow with boards, as commanded.
- Numbers 4:14 (BSB)“and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.”When the camp moved, the altar was covered and its poles inserted for carrying.
General
What metal were the altar's pots, shovels, basins, forks, firepans, and grate all made of (27:3-5)?
Answer: Bronze
Everything used with this altar was made of bronze: the pots for carrying away ashes, the shovels, the basins for sprinkling, the meat forks, the firepans, and the bronze mesh grate set under the altar's ledge (27:3-5). These were practical tools for the daily work of sacrifice. Bezalel made them just as instructed (38:3-4). When Israel traveled, the priests cleared the ashes and packed these utensils on the altar (Numbers 4:13-14), and the altar's fire was to be tended every morning and never allowed to go out (Leviticus 6:12-13).
- Exodus 27:3-5 (BSB)“Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans. Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh. Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.”The altar's utensils are all bronze, and a grate of bronze mesh is set under its ledge.
- Exodus 38:3-4 (BSB)“He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. He made a grate of bronze mesh for the altar under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom.”The utensils and the bronze grate were made as commanded.
- Numbers 4:13-14 (BSB)“Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it, and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.”When the camp moved, the ashes were cleared and these same utensils were packed with the altar.
- Leviticus 6:12-13 (BSB)“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.”The altar fire was to be tended every morning and never allowed to go out, which these tools served.
Theological
Of what metal does 27:3-5 require the altar's vessels and grate to be made?
Answer: Bronze
The altar's equipment, ash pots, shovels, sprinkling basins, meat forks, firepans, and the mesh grate beneath its ledge, is all bronze (27:3-5), fabricated as specified (38:3-4). These are working tools for continual sacrifice: the ashes were cleared and the vessels packed on the altar for transport (Numbers 4:13-14), and the altar fire was to be fed every morning and never extinguished (Leviticus 6:12-13).
- Exodus 27:3-5 (BSB)“Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans. Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh. Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.”The altar's utensils are all bronze, and a grate of bronze mesh is set under its ledge.
- Exodus 38:3-4 (BSB)“He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. He made a grate of bronze mesh for the altar under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom.”The utensils and the bronze grate were made as commanded.
- Numbers 4:13-14 (BSB)“Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it, and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.”When the camp moved, the ashes were cleared and these same utensils were packed with the altar.
- Leviticus 6:12-13 (BSB)“The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.”The altar fire was to be tended every morning and never allowed to go out, which these tools served.
General
True or False: Exodus 27:19 says the pegs used to stake down the tabernacle and its courtyard were to be made of silver.
Answer: False
This is false. The pegs securing both the tent and its courtyard, along with every utensil used in its service, were to be bronze (27:19). The builders followed this exactly: every peg for the dwelling and its courtyard was bronze (38:20). The Levite clan of Merari was responsible for these pegs, the posts, the bases, and the ropes whenever the tabernacle moved (Numbers 3:36-37). Silver was used elsewhere, for the bases under the frames and the fittings on the courtyard posts, but not for the pegs.
- Exodus 27:19 (BSB)“All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, including all its tent pegs and the tent pegs of the courtyard, shall be made of bronze.”All the tabernacle's service utensils and every tent peg are to be bronze.
- Exodus 38:20 (BSB)“All the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the surrounding courtyard were bronze.”Confirms that all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze.
- Numbers 3:36-37 (BSB)“The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.”The Merarites cared for the posts, bases, tent pegs, and ropes of the tabernacle and courtyard.
Theological
True or False: Exodus 27:19 prescribes silver for the pegs securing the tabernacle and its court.
Answer: False
This is false. The service utensils and every peg securing both the tabernacle and its court are to be bronze (27:19), as the construction account confirms (38:20). The Merarites had charge of the pegs together with the posts, bases, and cords (Numbers 3:36-37). Silver appears in the frame bases and the courtyard hooks and bands, not in the pegs.
- Exodus 27:19 (BSB)“All the utensils of the tabernacle for every use, including all its tent pegs and the tent pegs of the courtyard, shall be made of bronze.”All the tabernacle's service utensils and every tent peg are to be bronze.
- Exodus 38:20 (BSB)“All the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the surrounding courtyard were bronze.”Confirms that all the tent pegs for the tabernacle and courtyard were made of bronze.
- Numbers 3:36-37 (BSB)“The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items, as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.”The Merarites cared for the posts, bases, tent pegs, and ropes of the tabernacle and courtyard.
General
Who was to care for the lamps, where, and for how long (27:21)?
Answer: Aaron and the priests descended from him, outside the veil, keeping them lit through the night as a lasting ordinance
Aaron and the priests descended from him were to keep the lights going inside the Tent of Meeting, in the Holy Place just outside the veil, which hung before the ark, through the night from evening until dawn (27:21). This was to be a lasting rule for Israel for all generations. Leviticus repeats the command (Leviticus 24:3), and Exodus 30 has Aaron tending the lamps each morning and setting them up at twilight, burning incense each time (30:7-8). Many years later, young Samuel slept at the sanctuary while God's lamp was still burning in the night (1 Samuel 3:3).
- Exodus 27:21 (BSB)“In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.”Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps in the Tent of Meeting through the night, as a lasting ordinance.
- Leviticus 24:3 (BSB)“Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come.”Repeats that Aaron is to keep the lamps before the LORD through the night outside the veil, for all generations.
- Exodus 30:7-8 (BSB)“And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come.”Aaron was to tend the lamps in the morning and set them up at twilight, together with the incense.
- 1 Samuel 3:3 (BSB)“Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located.”In Samuel's day the lamp of God was still burning through the night at the sanctuary.
Theological
According to 27:21, who tends the lamps, where, and for how long?
Answer: Aaron and the priests descended from him, outside the veil, keeping them lit through the night as a lasting ordinance
The priestly house of Aaron is to keep the lights going inside the Tent of Meeting, in the Holy Place outside the veil before the Testimony, from evening to morning, as a perpetual ordinance throughout Israel's generations (27:21). Leviticus 24:3 restates the charge, and Exodus 30:7-8 links the tending of the lamps at morning and twilight with the burning of incense. The ordinance was still observed in Samuel's boyhood, when God's lamp was still burning in the night (1 Samuel 3:3).
- Exodus 27:21 (BSB)“In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil that is in front of the Testimony, Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the Israelites for the generations to come.”Aaron and his sons are to tend the lamps in the Tent of Meeting through the night, as a lasting ordinance.
- Leviticus 24:3 (BSB)“Outside the veil of the Testimony in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron is to tend the lamps continually before the LORD from evening until morning. This is to be a permanent statute for the generations to come.”Repeats that Aaron is to keep the lamps before the LORD through the night outside the veil, for all generations.
- Exodus 30:7-8 (BSB)“And Aaron is to burn fragrant incense on it every morning when he tends the lamps. When Aaron sets up the lamps at twilight, he must burn the incense perpetually before the LORD for the generations to come.”Aaron was to tend the lamps in the morning and set them up at twilight, together with the incense.
- 1 Samuel 3:3 (BSB)“Before the lamp of God had gone out, Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was located.”In Samuel's day the lamp of God was still burning through the night at the sanctuary.
General
According to 27:20, how was fuel for the lampstand's lamps to be provided?
Answer: The Israelites were to bring pure oil pressed from olives so the lamps would never go out
God told Moses to order the people to bring clear oil, beaten or pressed from olives, so that the lamps in the tabernacle would burn without ceasing (27:20). The whole people shared in keeping the light going, not only the priests. The same command is repeated in Leviticus (Leviticus 24:2). Oil for the lamps had been on God's list of gifts from the start (25:6), and when the offering was gathered, the leaders of the people brought it (35:27-28).
- Exodus 27:20 (BSB)“And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.”The Israelites are to bring pure pressed olive oil so the lamps can burn continually.
- Leviticus 24:2 (BSB)““Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.”The same command is repeated, showing it was a standing duty for the people.
- Exodus 25:6 (BSB)“olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;”Oil for the lamps was among the gifts God first asked the people to bring.
- Exodus 35:27-28 (BSB)“The leaders brought onyx stones and gemstones to mount on the ephod and breastpiece, as well as spices and olive oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.”The leaders brought the lamp oil, along with spices and gemstones, when the offering was taken.
Theological
How does 27:20 provide for the lamps?
Answer: The Israelites were to bring pure oil pressed from olives so the lamps would never go out
The people as a whole are charged to supply clear oil of beaten olives so that the lamps burn perpetually (27:20), a standing obligation restated in Leviticus 24:2. Lamp oil belonged to the original list of contributions (25:6) and was duly supplied by the leaders when the offering was gathered (35:27-28). The perpetual light in God's house was sustained by the whole congregation's giving, while its tending belonged to the priests (27:21).
- Exodus 27:20 (BSB)“And you are to command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.”The Israelites are to bring pure pressed olive oil so the lamps can burn continually.
- Leviticus 24:2 (BSB)““Command the Israelites to bring you pure oil of pressed olives for the light, to keep the lamps burning continually.”The same command is repeated, showing it was a standing duty for the people.
- Exodus 25:6 (BSB)“olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense;”Oil for the lamps was among the gifts God first asked the people to bring.
- Exodus 35:27-28 (BSB)“The leaders brought onyx stones and gemstones to mount on the ephod and breastpiece, as well as spices and olive oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the fragrant incense.”The leaders brought the lamp oil, along with spices and gemstones, when the offering was taken.
General
How does the New Testament relate the sacrifices offered on this altar (27:1-8) to Christ?
Answer: Its repeated sacrifices could not remove sin, but Christ offered one sacrifice that did
The bronze altar was where Israel's sacrifices were offered (27:1). Two lambs were to be offered on it every single day, one at daybreak and one toward evening (29:38-39). Hebrews states the principle behind such offerings: under the law, sin is not forgiven unless blood is shed (Hebrews 9:22). Hebrews explains that these daily offerings, repeated again and again, could never actually remove sin; but Christ offered a single sacrifice for sins for all time and then sat down at God's right hand, because His work was finished (Hebrews 10:11-12). Hebrews also tells believers that they have an altar, and it connects this with Jesus, who suffered beyond the city walls to make His people holy through His own blood (Hebrews 13:10-12).
- Exodus 27:1 (BSB)““You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.”God commands the altar on which Israel's sacrifices will be offered.
- Exodus 29:38-39 (BSB)“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight.”Two lambs were to be offered on the altar regularly every day, one in the morning and one at twilight.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Priests offered the same sacrifices daily, which could never take away sins, but Christ offered one sacrifice for all time.
- Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”Under the law nearly everything was purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- Hebrews 13:10-12 (BSB)“We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.”Believers have an altar, and Jesus suffered outside the city gate to sanctify His people by His own blood.
Theological
How does Hebrews relate the altar's sacrifices (27:1-8) to Christ's work?
Answer: Its repeated sacrifices could not remove sin, but Christ offered one sacrifice that did
The bronze altar was the place of continual sacrifice (27:1), where the daily burnt offering was presented morning and evening (29:38-39); under the law, as Hebrews observes, remission of sin is never granted apart from shed blood (Hebrews 9:22). Hebrews sets that endless repetition against Christ's finished work: the priests stood daily offering sacrifices powerless to remove sins, but Christ, having offered a single sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at God's right hand (Hebrews 10:11-12). His sacrifice actually accomplishes what the altar's offerings could only foreshadow, and Hebrews connects the believer's altar with Him who sanctified His people through His own blood beyond the gate (Hebrews 13:10-12).
- Exodus 27:1 (BSB)““You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.”God commands the altar on which Israel's sacrifices will be offered.
- Exodus 29:38-39 (BSB)“This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar, each day: two lambs that are a year old. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight.”Two lambs were to be offered on the altar regularly every day, one in the morning and one at twilight.
- Hebrews 10:11-12 (BSB)“Day after day every priest stands to minister and to offer again and again the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God.”Priests offered the same sacrifices daily, which could never take away sins, but Christ offered one sacrifice for all time.
- Hebrews 9:22 (BSB)“According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”Under the law nearly everything was purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
- Hebrews 13:10-12 (BSB)“We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. Although the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood.”Believers have an altar, and Jesus suffered outside the city gate to sanctify His people by His own blood.
General
How was the altar described in 27:1-2 to be built?
Answer: Acacia wood covered with bronze, square, with corner horns formed as part of the altar
This altar was built from acacia wood and covered with bronze. It was square, and on every corner it had a horn, a pointed projection made as one piece with the altar itself (27:1-2). Bezalel later built it exactly this way (38:1-2). It is the altar on which burnt offerings were made, and Moses placed it near the entrance of the tabernacle, where the sacrifices were offered (40:29). The horns were not decoration only: when the priests were ordained, blood from the sacrifice was smeared on the altar's horns with a finger (29:12). Because the altar stood just before the doorway of the tent itself (40:6), the way into the tent led past this altar of sacrifice.
- Exodus 27:1-2 (BSB)““You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze.”The altar is made of acacia wood, square, with a horn at each corner of one piece with it, all overlaid with bronze.
- Exodus 38:1-2 (BSB)“Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. He made a horn at each of its four corners, so that the horns and altar were of one piece, and he overlaid the altar with bronze.”Bezalel built the altar of burnt offering exactly to this design.
- Exodus 40:29 (BSB)“He placed the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses set the altar of burnt offering near the tabernacle entrance and offered sacrifices on it.
- Exodus 40:6 (BSB)“Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.”God commands that the altar of burnt offering be placed in front of the entrance to the tabernacle.
- Exodus 29:12 (BSB)“Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.”Blood from the sacrifice was put on the altar's horns, showing their role in atonement rites.
Theological
What does 27:1-2 prescribe for the construction of the altar?
Answer: Acacia wood covered with bronze, square, with corner horns formed as part of the altar
The altar for burnt offerings is acacia wood overlaid with bronze, square in plan, with a horn on every corner, of one piece with it (27:1-2), and Bezalel built it to that specification (38:1-2). It stood before the entrance of the tabernacle as the place of sacrifice (40:29), and its horns received sacrificial blood in the rites of atonement and consecration (29:12). Because it stood just before the doorway of the tent itself (40:6), the way into the tent led past this altar of sacrifice.
- Exodus 27:1-2 (BSB)““You are to build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze.”The altar is made of acacia wood, square, with a horn at each corner of one piece with it, all overlaid with bronze.
- Exodus 38:1-2 (BSB)“Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high. He made a horn at each of its four corners, so that the horns and altar were of one piece, and he overlaid the altar with bronze.”Bezalel built the altar of burnt offering exactly to this design.
- Exodus 40:29 (BSB)“He placed the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded him.”Moses set the altar of burnt offering near the tabernacle entrance and offered sacrifices on it.
- Exodus 40:6 (BSB)“Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.”God commands that the altar of burnt offering be placed in front of the entrance to the tabernacle.
- Exodus 29:12 (BSB)“Take some of the blood of the bull and put it on the horns of the altar with your finger; then pour out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar.”Blood from the sacrifice was put on the altar's horns, showing their role in atonement rites.
General
Where was the courtyard's gate, and how was it marked out (27:13-16)?
Answer: On the east side, closed by an embroidered curtain of colored yarn and linen
The courtyard had one entrance, on its east side, the side facing where the sun rises. That side had a section of linen curtain at each end, and in the middle was the gate, closed by a curtain of fine linen embroidered in blue, purple, scarlet yarn, hung on four posts (27:13-16). The gate's curtain was made just as described (38:18). Moses and Aaron's family of priests camped on the east side, facing the tent, and any unauthorized person who came near the holy place faced death (Numbers 3:38). Later, worshipers would be called to enter God's gates and courts with thanks and praise (Psalm 100:4).
- Exodus 27:13-16 (BSB)“The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide. Make the curtains on one side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases, and the curtains on the other side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases. The gate of the courtyard shall be twenty cubits long, with a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It shall have four posts and four bases.”On the east side, between two short sections of curtain, is the gate with its embroidered curtain.
- Exodus 38:18 (BSB)“The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,”The gate's embroidered curtain was made as commanded.
- Numbers 3:38 (BSB)“Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.”Moses, Aaron, and Aaron's sons camped on the east side in front of the Tent of Meeting, and any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
- Psalm 100:4 (BSB)“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.”Worshipers are called to enter God's gates and courts with thanks and praise.
Theological
Where is the courtyard gate located, and how is it distinguished (27:13-16)?
Answer: On the east side, closed by an embroidered curtain of colored yarn and linen
The single entrance lies on the east, the side facing the sunrise, where two curtain sections flank a gate screened by an embroidered curtain of blue, purple, scarlet yarn and fine linen on four posts (27:13-16). It was made to specification (38:18). Moses and the Aaronic priests encamped on that east side facing the tent, with death decreed for any unauthorized person who drew near the holy place (Numbers 3:38), and later worship speaks of entering God's gates and courts with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100:4). There was one appointed way in.
- Exodus 27:13-16 (BSB)“The east side of the courtyard, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits wide. Make the curtains on one side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases, and the curtains on the other side fifteen cubits long, with three posts and three bases. The gate of the courtyard shall be twenty cubits long, with a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It shall have four posts and four bases.”On the east side, between two short sections of curtain, is the gate with its embroidered curtain.
- Exodus 38:18 (BSB)“The curtain for the entrance to the courtyard was embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. It was twenty cubits long and, like the curtains of the courtyard, five cubits high,”The gate's embroidered curtain was made as commanded.
- Numbers 3:38 (BSB)“Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.”Moses, Aaron, and Aaron's sons camped on the east side in front of the Tent of Meeting, and any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.
- Psalm 100:4 (BSB)“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and bless His name.”Worshipers are called to enter God's gates and courts with thanks and praise.
General
What enclosed the tabernacle's courtyard (27:9-18)?
Answer: Linen curtains hung from posts that stood in bronze bases, fitted with silver bands and hooks
The tabernacle stood inside an open courtyard. Its boundary was a wall of fine linen curtains, hung from posts that stood in bronze bases and were fitted with silver bands and hooks (27:9-17). It formed a long rectangle, twice as long as it was wide (27:18). The courtyard was later built with its linen curtains (38:9), and Moses set it up to surround both the tent and the altar (40:33). The fence marked off the holy area around God's dwelling from the surrounding camp.
- Exodus 27:9-10 (BSB)“You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts.”The courtyard's south side has linen curtains hung on posts with bronze bases and silver hooks and bands.
- Exodus 27:18 (BSB)“The entire courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely spun linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases.”The whole courtyard is a rectangle enclosed by linen curtains on bronze bases.
- Exodus 38:9 (BSB)“Then he constructed the courtyard. The south side of the courtyard was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely spun linen,”The courtyard was constructed with its linen curtains as commanded.
- Exodus 40:33 (BSB)“And Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar, and he hung the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.”Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar.
Theological
What forms the boundary of the tabernacle courtyard in 27:9-18?
Answer: Linen curtains hung from posts that stood in bronze bases, fitted with silver bands and hooks
The court is enclosed by curtains of fine linen hung from posts fitted with silver bands and hooks, set in bronze bases (27:9-17), forming a rectangle twice as long as it is wide (27:18). It was constructed accordingly (38:9) and erected by Moses around both tabernacle and altar (40:33), marking off the sacred precinct surrounding God's dwelling from the camp.
- Exodus 27:9-10 (BSB)“You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts.”The courtyard's south side has linen curtains hung on posts with bronze bases and silver hooks and bands.
- Exodus 27:18 (BSB)“The entire courtyard shall be a hundred cubits long and fifty cubits wide, with curtains of finely spun linen five cubits high, and with bronze bases.”The whole courtyard is a rectangle enclosed by linen curtains on bronze bases.
- Exodus 38:9 (BSB)“Then he constructed the courtyard. The south side of the courtyard was a hundred cubits long and had curtains of finely spun linen,”The courtyard was constructed with its linen curtains as commanded.
- Exodus 40:33 (BSB)“And Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar, and he hung the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard. So Moses finished the work.”Moses set up the courtyard around the tabernacle and the altar.