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The Pulpit Commentary
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 26:32
Four pillars. The contrast between these four pillars of the interior, and the "five pillars" at "the door of the tent" (Exodus 26:36, Exodus 26:37), is striking, and justifies the supposition that the veil in the taber…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 26:33
Thou shalt hang up the veil under the taches. If the "taches" of Exodus 26:6 or even of Exodus 26:11, are intended, and" under" is to be taken strictly as" immediately under," the mishkan must have been divided by the v…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 26:35
The table here is, of course, "the table of shew-bread" described in the preceding chapter (Exodus 26:23-30), immediately after the mercy-seat It was to be set "without the veil," in the holy place or outer chamber, aga…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 26:36
Thou shalt make a hanging. A curtain which could draw up and. down, seems to be intended. When let down, it probably covered the entire eastern side, or front of the tabernacle. When raised, it allowed the eye to penetr…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 26:37
Five pillars. The central pillar was, no doubt, as Mr. Fergusson long ago pointed out, one of two tent-poles, which supported between them a ridge-pole, over which were thrown the coverings that formed the roof of the t…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:1-20
The brazen altar and court of the tabernacle. From the sanctuary, we pass in this chapter to the outer court, the principal object in which was the brazen altar, or altar of burnt offering. I. THE BRAZEN ALTAR (Exodus 2…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:1-8
EXPOSITION THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING. From the description of the tabernacle, or sacred tent in which worship was to be offered by the priests, it followed in natural sequence, that directions should be given concerni…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:1
Thou shalt make an altar. Rather, "the altar." God had already declared that he would have an altar made to him in the place where he should "record his name" (Exodus 20:24). And, even apart from this, an altar would be…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:1-8
The symbolism of the brazen altar. The noticeable points of this altar are its position, material, ornaments, and purpose or use. I. ITS POSITION. II. ITS MATERIAL. The material was the earth alone constituting the true…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:1-21
The tabernacle and its teachings. I. THE ALTAR OF SACRIFICE. 1. The situation of the altar. 2. The altar, on which the sacrifice for sin is laid, is the place of power. The horns, the symbol of Divine power. The gospel…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:2
The horns of it. Literally, "its horns." Horns were not usual adjuncts of altars; indeed they seem to have been peculiar to those of the Israelites. They were projections at the four top comers, probably not unlike the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:3
His pans to receive his ashes. Literally, "to cleanse it from fat'—i.e; to receive what remained after burning the victims, which would be ashes mixed with a good deal of fat. His shovels. Those would be used in removin…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:4
Thou shalt make for it a grate. Rather, "a grating." This was probably a protection for the lower part of the altar, and prevented it from being touched by the feet of the ministrant priests. It was outside the altar, a…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:5
Thou shalt put it under the compass. The "compass" (karkob) is spoken of as if it were something well-known; yet it had not been previously mentioned. Etymologically the word should mean "a cincture" or "band" round the…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:8
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it. See the comment on Exodus 27:1. The term here used for" boards," (which is different from that in Exodus 26:15-29) implies strength and solidity. As it was showed thee in the mount…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:9
Thou shalt make the court. Rather, "a court." For the south side southward. Rather," For the south side, upon the right." Compare the comment on Exodus 26:18. Hangings. The word used is a rare one in this sense, quite d…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:9-18
EXPOSITION THE COURT BEFORE THE TABERNACLE. The description of the altar is (as already observed) naturally followed by that of the court which was to contain it, and in which it was to be the most conspicuous object. T…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:9-18
The Court of the Tabernacle. I. THE USE OF THE COURT. The court was primarily a precinct inclosing the sacred structure, and preserving it from contact with the roughnesses of the rude world without. It formed a sort of…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:10
And the twenty pillars thereof, etc. Literally, "And its pillars, twenty (in number), and their sockets, twenty (in number, shall be) of bronze." The hooks of the pillars are loops whereto the curtains were to be attach…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:11
The north side of the court is to be exactly similar to the south in all respects.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:12
The west side is also to be similar, except that it is to be half the length, fifty cubits—and, therefore, requires only half the number of pillars and sockets.
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:13
The breadth of the court on the east side eastward. Rather, "in front toward the east." The Rabbinical tradition was that Adam found himself on his creation fronting towards the east, and had consequently the south on h…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:14
The hangings of one side. Literally, "of one shoulder." The two extreme parts of the east side, between the entrance (Exodus 27:16) and the corners are thus named. They were to extend on either side a distance of fiftee…
The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 27:16
For the gate. The word used is the common one for "gate;" but here it rather signifies "entrance." Strictly speaking, there was no "gate;" the worshippers entered by drawing aside the curtain. This was a hanging of simi…