Exodus 40:29
And 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.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֹלָה֙
of burnt offering
H5930
הָֽעֹלָה֙
of burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
3 of 19
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
שָׂ֕ם
And he put
H7760
שָׂ֕ם
And he put
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
4 of 19
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
פֶּ֖תַח
by the door
H6607
פֶּ֖תַח
by the door
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
5 of 19
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן
of the tabernacle
H4908
מִשְׁכַּ֣ן
of the tabernacle
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
6 of 19
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
מוֹעֵ֑ד
of the congregation
H4150
מוֹעֵ֑ד
of the congregation
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וַיַּ֣עַל
and offered
H5927
וַיַּ֣עַל
and offered
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
9 of 19
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָלָ֗יו
H5921
עָלָ֗יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽעֹלָה֙
of burnt offering
H5930
הָֽעֹלָה֙
of burnt offering
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
12 of 19
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
and the meat offering
H4503
הַמִּנְחָ֔ה
and the meat offering
Strong's:
H4503
Word #:
14 of 19
a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֛ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
The burnt offering, entirely consumed by fire (Leviticus
- , symbolized complete dedication to God—nothing held back. The grain offering (Leviticus
- accompanied it, representing gratitude and fellowship.
The bronze altar's size (7.5 feet square, 4.5 feet high) enabled multiple simultaneous offerings during festivals.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the bronze altar's position (first/before entry) teach that atonement is worship's foundation?
- What does Christ's once-for-all sacrifice replacing continual offerings reveal about His sufficient atonement?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The bronze altar's placement 'by the door of the tabernacle' ensures that sacrifice precedes all worship. The phrase 'burnt the burnt offering and the meat offering' (וַיַּעַל עָלָיו אֶת־הָעֹלָה, vaya'al alav et-haOlah, caused to ascend upon it the burnt offering) emphasizes upward motion—sacrifice ascends to God. The burnt offering (עֹלָה, olah, that which ascends) symbolizes complete consecration; the meat offering (מִנְחָה, minchah, grain offering) represents thanksgiving. The 7th 'as the LORD commanded Moses' approaches covenant perfection (seven = complete). Christ's sacrifice, once offered, satisfies completely (Hebrews 10:10, 12, 14).