Westminster Annotations, Exodus · Chapter 27
CHAP. XXVII.
Vers. 1. ALtar] This Altar was not the Altar which served for oblation of Incense morning and evening▪ but the Altar of burnt offerings made three cubits high, and five cubits square, placed not in the Tabernacle, but in the Court, (which sometimes is comprehended in the name of the Tabernacle) to the midst of its height (which had some Shittim wood about it) it was covered with brasse, but within was, as some conceive, filled up half way with earth or rough unhewen stones; or which is more probable by the description in the text, it was hollow unto the midst where the brasen grate was, upon which the daily sacrifice of a Lambe morning and evening was offered, Exod. 29. 39. and other oblations of severall kinds and occasions. It was first consecrated with holy oyle, Numb. 7. 1. and then other things set upon it were hallowed by it. Matth. 23. 19. This Altar differed from such as were made of earth, upon extraordinary occasions, Exod. 20. 24. for this was to continue for the constant service of the Tabernacle, which must not be so base and mean as the other, because the Tabernacle was glorious.
V. 2. hornes] Made like hornes sharpe and crooked, partly for ornament, partly for use; and the use, as some conceive was, chiefly to bind the sacrifice to the Altar, Psal. 118. 27. which was to be offered upon the Altar.
with brasse] The woodden part of the Altar, was to be overlaid or covered with brasse to preserve it from fire, and yet it was strange, that the brasse very much heated did not burne the wood; and there was, as some conceive, an especiall providence in it, that it did not so, God as he sent it down upon the Altar overruling the operation of it at his pleasure, yet the Altar being so broad, the fire might be kept in a grate at due distance from the wood.
V. 3. fire pans] Which served to carry fire from the Altar of the burnt-offering, to kindle the incense, which burnt in chasing dishes upon the Altar.
V. 4. the grate] Made like net-worke, but with small holes like a sieve, was fastned by rings to the Altar, and let down by chaines to the midst of it; under it was the wood and fire put, over it the sacrifice was laid to be burned.
foure brasen rings] The Altar had rings and barres by it selfe, and so might this grate, that they might be removed and carried severally by themselves.
V. 8. as it was shewed] Hebr. as be shewed. Exod. 25. 40.
V. 9. the Court of the Tabernacle] Which compassed the Tabernacle on all sides: which was an uneven square, for it was an hundred cubits, or fiftie yards long, and fiftie cubits, or twentie five yards broad, and five cubits, or two yards and an halfe high, which had for walles hangings of fine linen, borne up by pillars of brasse. In this Court and about the midst from the Tabernacle to the outside of it, was placed the Altar, in the open ayre, that the flame and fume of the sacrifice might have free vent without hurt or offence. Of this Court fiftie cubits from the East end toward the Sanctuary, were for the sacrifices which were tendered by the people, in the part neerest to the entrance, and offered by the Priests towards the furthest part of the fiftie cubits, and about ten cubits distant from the Tabernacle: for so many cubits was it off the Altar on the East side, and so many from the walles, or hangings of the Court, on the West side, and twentie cubits on the North, and as many on the South side. In this spacious Court there was receipt for all Professours of Religion, whether sincere or hypocriticall, and so it was a type of the Church visible in the world.
V. 10. fillets] They were certaine hoopes or circles of silver plate, compassing the upper part of the pillar to beautifie it, and it may be also for use to fasten the hangings in some places to the pillars.
V. 13. East side East-ward] Or, full East.
fiftie cubits] Meaning curtaines of fiftie cubits.
V. 16. gate of the Court] Which was on the East side.
V. 18. fiftie] Hebr. fiftie by fiftie.
V. 19. pinnes] Or, stakes. Wherewith the hangings were fastened to the ground, that they might not be waved to and fro with the wind.
V. 20. oyle olive beaten] Levit. 24. 2. Such as cometh from the Olive, when it is first pressed, and beaten, and rather beaten with a pestell, or mallet, then crushed with the heavy weight of a presse, or mill-stones: because it should run cleare and free from dregs.
to burne] Hebr. to ascend up.
alwayes] Chap. 30. 8. Levit. 24. 3. See Annot. on Chap. 30. 8.
V. 21. of the Testimony] That is, of the Law (in the Arke) the Testimony of Gods will, and of his Covenant with his people.
from evening to morning] For all night and not by day were the lamps to burne: and though it be said alwayes, vers. 20. that is to be understood of the night season, as if it had been said every night: for they could not burne untill they were lighted, and they were not lighted untill evening, Chap. 30. 8. and from thence they were to burne untill the morning, Levit. 24. 3. This might be a Type or figure of that spirituall light which dispelleth the darknesse and blindnesse of the minde, 2 Cor. 4. 6. 2 Pet. 1. 19.