Exodus 38:2
And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ
And he made
H6213
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ
And he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
קַרְנֹתָ֑יו
of it the horns
H7161
קַרְנֹתָ֑יו
of it the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
2 of 11
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
עַ֚ל
H5921
עַ֚ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פִּנֹּתָ֔יו
corners
H6438
פִּנֹּתָ֔יו
corners
Strong's:
H6438
Word #:
5 of 11
an angle; by implication, a pinnacle; figuratively, a chieftain
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
H4480
מִמֶּ֖נּוּ
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָי֣וּ
H1961
הָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
קַרְנֹתָ֑יו
of it the horns
H7161
קַרְנֹתָ֑יו
of it the horns
Strong's:
H7161
Word #:
8 of 11
a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun
וַיְצַ֥ף
thereof were of the same and he overlaid
H6823
וַיְצַ֥ף
thereof were of the same and he overlaid
Strong's:
H6823
Word #:
9 of 11
to sheet over (especially with metal)
Historical Context
The four horns projected from the altar's corners, likely made by shaping extensions of the acacia wood before overlaying with bronze. Blood application to these horns was essential in sin and trespass offerings (Leviticus 4), demonstrating the horns' role in atonement.
Questions for Reflection
- What does blood applied to horns (symbols of power) teach about the power of substitutionary atonement?
- How does grasping altar horns for refuge illustrate that safety from judgment exists only in Christ's sacrifice?
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Analysis & Commentary
Horns on the four corners (קַרְנֹתָיו עַל־אַרְבַּע פִּנֹּתָיו, karnotav al-arba pinnotav) represent power and refuge—sacrificial blood applied to horns (Leviticus 4:7) demonstrates power over sin. Those fleeing judgment could grasp altar horns for mercy (1 Kings 1:50-51), illustrating that refuge from judgment exists only at the place of sacrifice. The horns being 'of the same' (מִמֶּנּוּ, mimmennu—'from it') teaches that true refuge isn't external addition but intrinsic to the sacrifice itself. Christ's power to save flows from His cross, not from supplementary means.