271 And thou shalt make the altar of acacia-wood, five cubits the length, and five cubits the breadth; the altar shall be square; and the height thereof three cubits. 2 And thou shalt make its horns at the four corners thereof; its horns shall be of itself; and thou shalt overlay it with copper. 3 And thou shalt make its pots to cleanse it of the fat, its shovels, and its bowls, and its forks, and its firepans; for all the utensils thereof thou shalt employ copper. 4 And thou shalt make for it a grating of network of copper; and on the net shalt thou make four copper rings at its four corners; 5 and thou shalt put it under the ledge of the altar beneath, and the net shall be to the very middle of the altar. 6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of acacia-wood, and overlay them with copper. 7 And its staves shall be put into the rings, that the staves may be on both sides of the altar, when it is carried. 8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it hath been shewn thee on the mountain, so shall they make [it].
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 27:1-8
Commentary on Exodus 27:1-8
(Read Exodus 27:1-8)
In the court before the tabernacle, where the people attended, was an altar, to which they must bring their sacrifices, and on which their priests must offer them to God. It was of wood overlaid with brass. A grate of brass was let into the hollow of the altar, about the middle of which the fire was kept, and the sacrifice burnt. It was made of net-work like a sieve, and hung hollow, that the ashes might fall through. This brazen altar was a type of Christ dying to make atonement for our sins. The wood had been consumed by the fire from heaven, if it had not been secured by the brass: nor could the human nature of Christ have borne the wrath of God, if it had not been supported by Divine power.