Exodus 27:1: Meaning Explained

And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be...

Exodus 27:1

“"Build an altar of acacia wood. The altar must be square — five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high."”

What Does This Verse Mean?

Make a square altar from strong wood that is about 7.5 feet on each side and 4.5 feet tall.

What’s Happening Here

This altar would be where animal sacrifices were made as gifts to God.

altara table for offerings to God

squarefour equal sides

The altar was where the people brought their sacrifices to worship God.

This altar was placed in the outer courtyard where people could see the sacrifices.

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And thou shalt makeוְעָשִׂ֥יתָ

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an altarהַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ

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woodעֲצֵ֣י

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of shittimשִׁטִּ֑ים

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and fiveוְחָמֵ֧שׁ

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cubitsאַמּ֖וֹת

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longאֹ֜רֶךְ

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broadרֹ֗חַב

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shall be foursquareרָב֤וּעַ

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thereof shall be threeוְשָׁלֹ֥שׁ

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and the heightקֹֽמָתֽוֹ׃

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Read Exodus 27:1 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.