Exodus 38:1
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Exodus 38:1
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.
Chapter Context
Exodus 38 is a narrative with legal sections chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of worship, creation, covenant. Written during the Egyptian bondage and wilderness wandering (c. 1446-1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Egypt was the dominant superpower with a complex polytheistic religion and a god-king pharaoh.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-31: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it addresses timeless questions about faith, suffering, and divine purpose. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Exodus and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Exodus 38:1
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Word Studies
- Altar: מִזְבֵּחַ (Mizbeach) H4196 - Altar, place of sacrifice
Cross-References
- Sacrifice: Exodus 40:6, 40:29, Hebrews 13:10
- Creation: 2 Chronicles 4:1
- Parallel theme: Revelation 21:16