ScriptureDepth's study of Exodus 27
“You shall make a grating for it of network of brass: and on the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners.”
Exodus 27:4
Yahweh commands the construction of a brass grating for the altar, which is a specific instruction for the proper design of the sacrificial system.
What Exodus 27 is about
Yahweh commands the construction of the altar made of acacia wood, measuring five cubits by five cubits and three cubits high (vv. 1-2). The altar features horns on its corners, and all vessels associated with it, including pots and shovels, are to be made of brass (vv. 3-4). The text specifies how to make the altar portable with poles of acacia wood (vv. 6-8).
Next, Yahweh describes the design of the courtyard of the tabernacle (vv. 9-18). The south and north sides will have a length of one hundred cubits, with pillars and sockets made of brass (vv. 9-11). The width of the courtyard is set at fifty cubits on both the west and east sides (vv. 12-13). The entrance features a decorative screen made of fine linen (vv. 16-17). Finally, the Israelites are instructed to provide pure olive oil for the lamps, which Aaron and his sons will maintain in the Tent of Meeting (vv. 20-21).
Aaron and his sons shall keep the lamp burning continually before Yahweh as a statute forever.
Exodus 27 at a glance
- Exodus 27:1–8Construction of the Altar
- Exodus 27:9–18Design of the Courtyard
- Exodus 27:19–21Instructions for the Lamp
Key verse: Exodus 27:4
One thing to notice
Verses 9-18 provide details on the courtyard's design, giving measurements that are consistent on both sides of the tabernacle. The pillars' height and spacing are specified, with 'twenty' appearing in verses 10 and 11. This repetition contributes to the overall structure of the courtyard.
Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.
Chapter text
Read Exodus 27 (WEB)
Construction of the Altar Exodus 27:1–8
1Verse 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. 2Verse 2. You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it; and you shall overlay it with brass. 3Verse 3. You shall make its pots to take away its ashes, its shovels, its basins, its meat hooks, and its fire pans: all its vessels you shall make of brass. 4Verse 4. You shall make a grating for it of network of brass: and on the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners.
5Verse 5. You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar. 6Verse 6. You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with brass. 7Verse 7. Its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar, when carrying it. 8Verse 8. You shall make it with hollow planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain.
Design of the Courtyard Exodus 27:9–18
9Verse 9. “You shall make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen one hundred cubits long for one side: 10Verse 10. and its pillars shall be twenty, and their sockets twenty, of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver. 11Verse 11. Likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of brass; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 12Verse 12. For the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits; their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
13Verse 13. The width of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits. 14Verse 14. The hangings for the one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 15Verse 15. For the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16Verse 16. For the gate of the court shall be a screen of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer; their pillars four, and their sockets four. 17Verse 17. All the pillars of the court around shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of brass.
18Verse 18. The length of the court shall be one hundred cubits, and the width fifty throughout, and the height five cubits, of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
Instructions for the Lamp Exodus 27:19–21
19Verse 19. All the instruments of the tabernacle in all its service, and all its pins, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. 20Verse 20. “You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 21Verse 21. In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Yahweh: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.
World English Bible (public domain)
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Main themes in Exodus 27
sacrifice
The chapter provides detailed instructions for the construction of the altar in vv. 1-8. The altar is to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with brass, designed specifically for sacrifices. This emphasizes the physical aspect of sacrificial practices, as the altar serves as the primary location for offerings to Yahweh by Aaron and his sons.
worship
Worship is integral to this chapter, particularly in the instructions for the lamp in vv. 20-21. The pure olive oil is to be brought to keep the lamp burning continually in the Tent of Meeting. This arrangement specifies that Aaron and his sons will maintain the lamp before Yahweh, establishing a dedicated practice of worship for the community.
holiness
The chapter addresses holiness in the context of the tabernacle's design, especially in the materials and structure outlined in vv. 9-19. The use of fine twined linen for the courtyard and brass for the sockets signifies a setting apart for divine purposes. This provision creates a distinct area for worship, underscoring the need for a holy space in the worship of Yahweh.
God's presence
God's presence is central to the chapter through the specifications for the tabernacle and its altar. The design and materials, such as the brass and fine linen in vv. 9-18, are intended to facilitate an environment where God can dwell among His people. The lamp's continual light in v. 21 also suggests ongoing divine presence in the community's worship.
Chapter outline
How Exodus 27 unfolds
Exodus 27:1–8 Construction of the Altar
Moses receives detailed commands for the construction of the altar made of acacia wood, specifying its dimensions, materials, and features like horns and a grating (vv. 1-8).
Exodus 27:9–18 Design of the Courtyard
God commands Moses to make the courtyard of the tabernacle with specific dimensions, detailing the hangings, pillars, and sockets, specifying 'the length of the court shall be one hundred cubits' (verse 18).
Exodus 27:19–21 Instructions for the Lamp
Instructions are given for maintaining a lamp in the Tent of Meeting, emphasizing the need for pure olive oil to keep it burning continually, with Aaron and his sons responsible for its upkeep (vv. 19-21).
Key verses
Exodus 27:4Yahweh commands the construction of a brass grating for the altar, which is a specific instruction for the proper design of the sacrificial system.
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Study questions
Questions for studying Exodus 27
- observeIn v1, what material is the altar made from?
- observeWhat is the height of the altar in v1?
- interpretThe phrase 'forever throughout their generations' in v21: what implications does this have for Israel's worship?
- interpretWhy does the phrase 'beaten for the light' in v20 raise questions about the type of oil used?
- applyWhen have you felt called to bring something 'pure' to a relationship or responsibility, as in v20?
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Cross-references
Passages that echo Exodus 27
- Exodus 38Exodus 27:1 and Exodus 38:1Both make the altar: Exodus 27:1 states dimensions, while Exodus 38:1 confirms those dimensions.
- Exodus 25Exodus 27:20 and Exodus 25:6Both command oil: Exodus 27:20 instructs for pure olive oil, while Exodus 25:6 lists oil for the light.
- Exodus 30Exodus 27:21 and Exodus 30:8Both keep order: Exodus 27:21 mentions keeping lamps lit, while Exodus 30:8 describes burning perpetual incense.
- Exodus 26Exodus 27:16 and Exodus 26:36Both make a screen: Exodus 27:16 describes the gate screen, while Exodus 26:36 details the door screen.
- Exodus 35Exodus 27:1 and Exodus 35:16Both make the altar: Exodus 27:1 states dimensions, while Exodus 35:16 confirms the altar's components.
- Exodus 40Exodus 27:1 and Exodus 40:6Both set the altar: Exodus 27:1 gives dimensions, while Exodus 40:6 instructs placement before the tent.
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