Exodus 27

“You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide. The altar shall be square. Its height shall be three cubits.

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

You shall make its pots to take away its ashes; and its shovels, its basins, its meat hooks, and its fire pans. You shall make all its vessels of bronze.

You shall make a grating for it of network of bronze. On the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners.

You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

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

Its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar when carrying it.

You shall make it hollow with planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain.

“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.

Its pillars shall be twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.

Likewise for the length of the north side, there shall be hangings one hundred cubits long, and its pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver.

For the width of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits; their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.

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

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

For the other side shall be hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three.

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.

All the pillars of the court around shall be filleted with silver; their hooks of silver, and their sockets of bronze.

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 bronze.

All the instruments of the tabernacle in all its service, and all its pins, and all the pins of the court, shall be of bronze.

“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.

In the Tent of Meeting, outside the veil which is before the covenant, Aaron and his sons shall keep it in order from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute forever throughout their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter details the construction of the bronze altar and the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle, along with instructions for the continual lamp in the Tent of Meeting. It marks a shift from the inner furnishings of the sanctuary to the outer structures of worship, emphasizing the holiness of space and the continuity of divine service within the camp of Israel. As part of the broader revelation of the tabernacle’s design, it unfolds God’s ordered pattern for approach to His presence.

Flow.

Begins with the altar of burnt offering—its dimensions, materials, and utensils—designed for atonement and sacrifice (vv. 1–8).
Moves to the courtyard’s structure, specifying hangings, pillars, sockets, and the screened entrance gate, demarcating sacred space (vv. 9–17).
Concludes with the command for pure olive oil to sustain the lampstand’s light before the Lord continually (vv. 18–21).

Connections.
Following chapter 26, which described the tabernacle’s internal structure and veil, this chapter extends outward, framing the place where Israel will approach God through sacrifice. The bronze altar becomes the central point of atonement and daily offering, grounding the people’s communion with God in blood and fire. The lamp's perpetual light anticipates the priestly duties detailed in chapter 28, where Aaron and his sons are consecrated to maintain this very service. The transition from architecture to ongoing worship prepares for the ordination of priests and the establishment of their garments and rites.

What it teaches.
The altar and courtyard manifest God’s requirement for holiness and the cost of access to His presence. The altar, made of acacia wood and bronze, signifies judgment and durability (WCF 19.1), while its horns and sacrificial implements point to the efficacy of atonement (HC LD 16). The separation of the courtyard by fine linen hangings reflects the distinction between the holy and common (; WCF 21.1). The continual lamp, fueled by pure oil, symbolizes the perpetual covenant presence of God and the responsibility of the priests to maintain order in worship (WCF 21.5; ). These elements reflect God’s unchanging demand for reverence and the provision of means for sustained fellowship.

Apply.
The altar and lamp stand as enduring signs that worship is shaped by God’s command, not human improvisation.

AI-generated. Not a substitute for Scripture, your pastor, or the confessions.