Exodus 27

I an altar. This was a hollow wooden chest plated with copper, about nine feet square, and five feet in height, with a grating inside, upon which the sacrifices and the fuel were laid, with an ash-pan underneath. Upon the horns of the altar the blood of the victim was put with the priest’s finger (Lev. iv. 25, 30); and sometimes sacrifices were bound to them (Psa. cxviii. 27). For an example of taking sanctuary at the altar, see 1 Kings i. 50, 51.

9 twined. Or, “netted.” It appears to have been open work except at the entrance. The court was about 175 feet in length, and 87 in breath. It was entirely uncovered. The entrance was on the east side, and was 35 feet broad. As the people at large were not permitted to enter the tabernacle, on account of its peculiar sacredness, this court was constructed in connexion with it, that the worshippers might here personally appear before God, and hold communion with Him as present among them.

10 fillets. Rather, “cross-bars,” to connect the capitals of the pillars, and sustain the curtains.

17 filleted. Rather, “joined with rods.”

burn always. The words “always” here, and “continually” in Lev. xxiv. 2, mean every night, as explained in ver. 21, and in xxx. 7, 8, where the dressing the lamps in the morning is distinguished from the lighting them in the evening. See also 1 Sam. iii. 3. It is probable that during the day the outer vail of the tabernacle was lifted up, as in ordinary tents, so as to give sufficient light for the ministrations of the sanctuary.

21 tabernacle of the congregation. Or, “tent of meeting” (R.V.); i.e., at which the priests, and on certain occasions, the people, gathered before Jehovah. Observe that the “meeting” was with Him. This expression is here applied to the sanctuary for the first time, but is often used afterwards.