Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 27

Thou shalt make an altar. —Hebrew, the altar. It is assumed that a sanctuary must have an altar, as worship without sacrifice was unknown. (Exodus 8:25–28; Exodus 12:27; Exodus 18:12; Exodus 20:24–26, etc.)

Of shittim wood. —This direction seems at first sight to conflict with those given in Exodus 20:24-25, where altars were required to be either of earth or of unhewn stone. But the explanation of the Jewish commentators is probably correct, that what was directed here to be made was an “altar-case” rather than an altar, and that the true altar was the earth with which, at each halt in the wilderness, the “case” of shittim wood covered with bronze was filled. (So Jarchi, Kalisch, and others.)

Foursquare. —Ancient altars were either rectangular or circular, as the square and the circle were regarded as perfect figures. A triangular altar was discovered by Mr. Layard in Mesopotamia, but even this had a circular top. In Hebrew architecture and furniture, curved lines were for the most part avoided, probably because they presented greater difficulties than straight ones.

The height thereof ... three cubits. —A greater height would have made it difficult to arrange the victims on the altar. Otherwise, the notion of perfection in form would probably have led to the altar being a cube.

The horns of it. —It is not true to say, as Kalisch does, that “the altars of almost all ancient nations were frequently provided with horns.” On the contrary, horns were, so far as is known, peculiar to Israelite altars. Originally, they would seem to have been mere ornaments at the four upper corners, but ultimately they came to be regarded as essential to an altar, and the virtue of the altar was thought to lie especially in them. The victims were bound to them (Psalms 118:27); criminals clung to them (1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 2:28); and the blood of sin offerings was smeared upon them for purposes of expiation (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 8:15; Leviticus 9:9, etc.).

His horns shall be of the same —i.e., of one piece with the rest of the altar, not separate portions attached by nails or soldering .

Thou shalt overlay it with brass —i.e., with bronze. All the woodwork of the tabernacle was overlaid with one metal or another. Here a metallic coating was especially necessary, to prevent the wood from being burnt.

His pans to receive his ashes. —Scuttles, in which the ashes were placed for removal from the sanctuary, are intended. The word translated “to receive his ashes” is a rare one, and implies a mixture with the ashes of unburnt fat.

His shovels. —This is a correct translation. The “shovels” would be used in clearing away the ashes from the altar.

His basins. —Basins were needed to receive the blood of the victims (Exodus 24:6), which was cast from basins upon the foot of the altar.

His fleshhooks. —Implements with three prongs, used for arranging the pieces of the victim upon the altar. The priests’ servants sometimes applied them to a different purpose (1 Samuel 2:13).

His firepans. —The word used here is elsewhere translated either “snuffdishes,” or “censers.” Probably vessels employed in carrying embers from the brazen altar to the altar of incense (Leviticus 16:12) are intended.

A grate of network. —Rather, a grating of network. The position of the grating is doubtful. According to one view, it reached from the middle of the altar to its base, and protected the sides of the altar from the feet of the ministering priests. According to another, it surrounded the upper part of the altar, and was intended to catch any portions of the victims that accidentally fell off. There are no sufficient data to enable us to determine between these views.

Upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings. —The brazen altar, like the ark and the table of the bread of the Presence, was to be carried by the priests when the Israelites changed their camping-ground. It therefore required “rings,” like them (Exodus 25:12; Exodus 25:26). These were, in the case of the altar, to be attached to the network, which must have been of a very solid and substantial character.

Under the compass of the altar beneath. —The position of the network depends upon this expression. Was “the compass of the altar” its circumference at the top, or was it a belt or step encircling the altar half-way up? The low height of the altar—four feet six inches—would seem to make a “step” unnecessary; but the altar may undoubtedly have been surrounded by a “belt” for ornament.