The Bronze Altar
Exodus 27:1-8
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Exo.27.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חמש: NUM,card,f,sg
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ארך: ADJ,m,sg
- וחמש: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- רחב: ADJ,m,sg
- רבוע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושלש: CONJ+NUM,card,sg
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- קמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 38:1-7 (quotation): Repeats the construction of the bronze (outer) altar with the same basic dimensions and acacia wood core when the craftsmen actually build it.
- Exodus 30:1-5 (verbal): The altar of incense is likewise made of acacia wood and described as square (though smaller); parallels in vocabulary and form (wood, square shape, horns, overlay).
- Exodus 25:10-16 (thematic): The Ark is prescribed to be made of acacia (shittim) wood — shows the recurring use of this material for sacred furniture and cultic fittings.
- Ezekiel 43:13-17 (structural): Gives precise measurements and a detailed plan for a temple altar; parallel concern with exact dimensions and form for cultic architecture, though different in size and symbolic setting.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make the altar of acacia wood: five cubits its length and five cubits its width; the altar shall be square, and three cubits its height.
- And you shall make the altar of acacia wood: five cubits in length and five cubits in width; the altar shall be square; and its height shall be three cubits.
Exo.27.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- על: PREP
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- פנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- תהיין: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- וצפית: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 38:2 (quotation): The construction description of the bronze altar in Exodus 38 repeats the same specifications — horns on the four corners, horns of one piece, and overlay with bronze.
- Exodus 30:2-3 (verbal): The altar of incense is commanded to have horns on its four corners and to be overlaid (with gold), echoing the language and form of the altar in Exod 27:2.
- Leviticus 4:7 (thematic): Ritual use of an altar's horns is described (blood applied to the horns of the incense altar), linking the physical feature in Exod 27:2 to cultic practice.
- 1 Kings 1:50-51 (thematic): Narrative use of an altar's horns as a place of asylum (Adonijah seeks the horns of the altar) demonstrates the social/ritual significance of the altar's horns mentioned in Exod 27:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.
- And you shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.
Exo.27.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- סירתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לדשנו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויעיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ומזרקתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ומזלגתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ומחתתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לכל: PREP
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3,m,sg
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.38:3 (verbal): Repeats the same catalogue of pans, shovels, basins, forks and firepans for the altar and specifies they are made of bronze — a near-verbatim construction parallel.
- Exod.30:18 (thematic): Commands a laver of bronze and its base for priestly washing — similarly prescribes bronze cultic vessels used in ritual service.
- 1 Kings 7:50 (verbal): Lists pots, shovels, basins, flesh‑hooks and bowls among the temple furnishings under Solomon, echoing the same inventory of cultic utensils.
- 2 Chron.4:8 (verbal): Provides a parallel catalogue of bronze (brass) implements made for the temple (pots, shovels, basins, forks, bowls), corresponding to the Exodus list.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make its pots for removing its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its forks, and its firepans; all its vessels you shall make of bronze.
- And you shall make its pots for removing its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its forks, and its firepans; all its utensils you shall make of bronze.
Exo.27.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מכבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- על: PREP
- הרשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- טבעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- קצותיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.38.6-7 (quotation): A near‑verbatim repetition of the instruction to make a brass network (grating) and four brass rings at its corners for the altar.
- Exod.27.6 (structural): Immediate contextual continuation: directs that the poles be put into the rings — shows the functional purpose of the rings named in 27:4.
- Exod.25.13-15 (verbal): Instructions for the Ark require rings and poles (‘put the staves into the rings’) — same verb and technical solution for carrying sacred furniture.
- Exod.26.26-28 (thematic): Describes rings and bars for the tabernacle boards (rings made to receive poles) — a parallel use of rings to secure and carry tabernacle fittings.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make for it a grating, latticework, of bronze; and you shall make on the grating four bronze rings on its four edges.
- And you shall make for it a grating, a meshwork of bronze; and on the mesh you shall make four rings of bronze at its four corners.
Exo.27.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתתה: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- תחת: PREP
- כרכב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מלמטה: ADV
- והיתה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- הרשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- חצי: NOUN,m,sg,const
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 38:8 (verbal): A near-verbatim repetition in the construction summary: 'he made the grate of brass, net work of brass under the ledge, even to the midst of the altar.'
- Exodus 27:6 (structural): Immediate continuation of the altar instructions—commands to make staves (poles) of acacia wood overlaid with brass for carrying the altar, directly related to the grate and its rings.
- Exodus 38:3–7 (structural): Parallel account of the craftsmen’s work that repeats details about the altar’s construction (dimensions, overlaying with brass, rings and fittings) including the grate and carrying arrangements.
- Numbers 4:5–15 (thematic): Rules for the Kohathite Levites about covering and carrying sacred furniture with poles—reflects the functional purpose of the rings, grate, and staves for transporting the altar without touching it.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall set it beneath the ledge of the altar, below, and the grating shall reach to the halfway point of the altar.
- And you shall set it beneath, under the ledge of the altar, from below; and the mesh shall reach halfway up the altar.
Exo.27.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- למזבח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- בדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וצפית: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.27:5 (verbal): Speaks of the poles made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze for the altar—closely related technical language about using acacia wood and bronze for altar fittings.
- Exod.27:7 (structural): Directly continues the construction details by ordering rings for the altar boards so poles can be inserted—connects to the function of the boards mentioned in 27:6.
- Exod.38:6 (quotation): Repeats the account of the altar's boards being made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze in the tabernacle-building summary, a parallel retelling of the same instruction.
- Exod.30:2 (thematic): Describes the altar of incense also made of acacia wood but overlaid with gold—parallels the use of acacia wood as the standard material and the practice of overlaying sacred furniture with metal.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood; and you shall overlay them with bronze.
- And you shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood; and you shall overlay them with bronze.
Exo.27.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והובא: VERB,huf,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+poss:3ms
- בטבעת: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- שתי: NUM,card,f,du
- צלעת: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשאת: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Exodus 27:6 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same context: specifies the rings and poles for the altar so the poles are placed in the rings when the altar is carried (close verbal repetition/continuation).
- Exodus 30:4–5 (verbal): Similar language applied to the golden altar of incense: rings and poles are provided so the altar can be carried, using the same constructional instruction.
- Exodus 25:13–15 (verbal): Description of the ark's rings and poles—same practical provision of rings and poles for carrying a sacred object, showing a common furniture/transport vocabulary.
- Numbers 4:5,15 (structural): Procedural parallel in the tabernacle-move instructions: holy furnishings are covered and the poles are inserted into their rings for transport, reflecting the same practical rule for carrying sacred furniture.
Alternative generated candidates
- And its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar for carrying it.
- And the poles shall be brought into the rings; and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar for carrying it.
Exo.27.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- נבוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- כאשר: CONJ
- הראה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- אתך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בהר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- כן: ADV
- יעשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 25:40 (verbal): Uses the same formula about making things 'after the pattern shown you on the mountain' — the direct verbal warrant for following the revealed design.
- Exodus 26:30 (verbal): Repeats the injunction to set up the tabernacle 'according to the plan...that you were shown on the mountain,' paralleling the call to follow the mountain-revealed pattern.
- Exodus 39:32 (thematic): Summarizes the craftsmen's obedience: all the work of the tabernacle was finished 'according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses,' reflecting the theme of constructing items exactly as shown.
- Exodus 40:16 (structural): Narrative fulfillment formula — 'Moses did according to all that the LORD commanded him' — paralleling the instruction in 27:8 to make the piece exactly as revealed on the mountain.
Alternative generated candidates
- Hollow, with planks, you shall make it; as was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make.
- Hollow, of boards, you shall make it; as he showed you on the mountain, so shall they make it.
And the altar you shall make of acacia wood: five cubits its length, and five cubits its width; the altar shall be square, and three cubits its height. And you shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. And you shall make its pots for removing its ashes, and its shovels, and its basins, and its forks, and its firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze. And you shall make for it a grating, a network, of bronze; and on the network you shall make four rings of bronze at its four corners. And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar, below; and the grating shall reach to the middle of the altar. And you shall make poles for the altar: poles of acacia wood, and you shall overlay them with bronze. And its poles shall be brought into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar for bearing it.
Hollow, with boards, you shall make it; as was shown you on the mountain, so shall they make it.