Exodus 38:1
And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֛עַשׂ
And he made
H6213
וַיַּ֛עַשׂ
And he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 16
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֹלָ֖ה
of burnt offering
H5930
הָֽעֹלָ֖ה
of burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
4 of 16
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
אַמּ֖וֹת
cubits
H520
אַמּ֖וֹת
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
8 of 16
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
אַמּ֖וֹת
cubits
H520
אַמּ֖וֹת
cubits
Strong's:
H520
Word #:
11 of 16
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
וְשָׁלֹ֥שׁ
and three
H7969
וְשָׁלֹ֥שׁ
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
14 of 16
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Cross References
Revelation 21:16And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.Hebrews 13:10We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.Exodus 40:29And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses.Exodus 40:6And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.2 Chronicles 4:1Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
Historical Context
The bronze altar stood in the tabernacle courtyard, immediately inside the entrance—the first object worshipers encountered. Its size and bronze construction allowed withstanding continuous fire for burnt offerings. Unlike the golden interior furnishings, this altar's bronze reflected its function: bearing judgment for sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the bronze altar's size (larger than interior furnishings) teach about the magnitude of dealing with sin?
- How does the foursquare design illustrate the universal sufficiency of Christ's sacrifice for all peoples?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The bronze altar (מִזְבַּח הָעֹלָה, mizbach ha-olah, 'altar of the burnt offering') of shittim wood overlaid with bronze represents judgment—bronze symbolizes divine judgment throughout Scripture (Numbers 21:9, Revelation 1:15). At five cubits square and three cubits high (approximately 7.5' × 7.5' × 4.5'), this altar dwarfs interior furnishings, teaching that dealing with sin must be massive and public. The foursquare design (רָבוּעַ, ravu'a) symbolizes universality—Christ's sacrifice sufficient for all humanity, all directions, all peoples. This altar is where blood met fire, prefiguring Christ who endured both bleeding and burning of divine wrath.