Exo 27 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Exod 27:1-19: 27:1-19 These plans for the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard continue the movement outward from the center. As with the sanctuary, the plans for the furniture of the courtyard are given (27:1-8 ) before the plans for the courtyard itself (27:9-19 ). Summary for Exod 27:1-8: 27:1-8 Like the frames of the Tabernacle, the square altar of burnt offerings was made of acacia wood overlaid with metal. However, in keeping with the other features outside the sanctuary, it was overlaid with bronze (27:2-3 ; see 27:10 , 17 , 19 ).

Summary for Exod 27:1-19: 27:1-19 ^a These plans for the altar of burnt offering and the courtyard continue the movement outward from the center. As with the sanctuary, the plans for the furniture of the courtyard are given (27:1-8 ^b) before the plans for the courtyard itself (27:9-19 ^c).
Summary for Exod 27:1-8: 27:1-8 ^d Like the frames of the Tabernacle, the square altar of burnt offerings was made of acacia wood overlaid with metal. However, in keeping with the other features outside the sanctuary, it was overlaid with bronze (27:2-3 ^e; see 27:10 ^f, 17 ^g, 19 ^h).
27:2 ⁱ Archaeology has shown that the horns of the altar were protrusions sticking up from the corners of the structure. Perhaps they kept wood and offerings from falling off (see Ps 118:27 ^j). They also seem to have had a theological significance, representing God’s gracious care. A person who held onto the horns of the altar was requesting leniency in judgment (see 1 Kgs 1:50-51 ^k; 2:28 ^l). The horns were anointed with blood in atonement and purification ceremonies (Exod 29:12 ^m; Lev 4:7 ⁿ).
27:5 ^o The altar was evidently a hollow square (27:1 ^p, 8 ^q), with the grating placed inside it to allow ashes to fall to the ground underneath.
Summary for Exod 27:9-19: 27:9-19 ^r The plans for the courtyard called for walls of curtains made of finely woven linen hanging on posts with bronze bases. The posts seem to have been 7½ feet apart and 7½ feet high. The curtains formed a rectangle 150 feet long and 75 feet wide, with a 30-foot opening centered in the east
27:16 ^s The curtain shielding the entry to the courtyard was similar in color and workmanship to the entry curtain and the dividing curtain of the Tabernacle (26:31 ^t, 36 ^u).
27:19 ^v The use of tent pegs suggests that the courtyard posts were not freestanding but were stabilized with guy wires.
Summary for Exod 27:20-28:5: 27:20–30:38 ^w Following the instructions for Tabernacle structure, instructions are now given for those who would serve in the Tabernacle and for the elements involved in that service. Included are priestly functions (27:20-21 ^x; 29:38-46 ^y), clothing (ch 28 ^z), dedication ceremonies (29:1-37 ^aa), furnishings (30:1-10 ^ab, 17-21 ^ac), and supplies (30:11-16 ^ad, 22-38 ^ae).
Summary for Exod 27:20-21: 27:20-21 ^af The first thing said about the function of the priests, Aaron and his sons, is that they were to keep the lamps burning continually through the night (see 30:8 ^ag). As the lamps burned in the Lord’s presence, they would indicate the continuity of his presence.
27:21 ^ah the Tabernacle (literally the Tent of Meeting): The expression Tent of Meeting sometimes refers to the Tabernacle tent; in these cases the expression is essentially synonymous with Tabernacle, and the NLT consistently renders it Tabernacle. In addition, a temporary tent also called the “Tent of Meeting” is mentioned in 33:7-11 ^ai. See study note on 40:2.