Exodus 38: A Detailed Study of the Altar of Burnt Offering

The thirty-eighth chapter of Exodus is a masterclass in sacred architecture and divinely instructed craftsmanship. It moves beyond the blueprint phase described in earlier chapters and into the realm of tangible reality, detailing the physical construction of two critical components of the Tabernacle: the Altar of Burnt Offering and the Courtyard. This chapter is not merely a historical record; it is a rich tapestry woven with theological significance, symbolic meaning, and a powerful testament to obedience. Let’s delve into a comprehensive analysis of its construction, materials, and profound spiritual implications.

The Altar of Burnt Offering: The Bronze Centerpiece of Atonement

The chapter opens with the construction of the most prominent fixture in the Tabernacle’s outer court: the Altar of Burnt Offering. Often called the Brazen Altar or the Bronze Altar, this was the first object encountered upon entering the sacred precincts. Its primary function was the sacrifice of animals, a practice central to the Mosaic Covenant’s system of atonement for sin.

Construction and Design Specifications

The altar was built by Bezalel, the master craftsman endowed by God’s Spirit with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of crafts (Exodus 35:30-31). His work followed the divine pattern to the letter.

  • Material: Acacia wood, overlaid with bronze. This combination is highly symbolic. Acacia wood, a durable and desert-hardy material, represents humanity. Bronze, an alloy that can withstand intense heat, often symbolizes judgment in the Bible. The wood overlaid with bronze paints a picture of humanity (wood) being protected from divine judgment (fire) through a substitute (the sacrifice).
  • Dimensions: It was a square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high (approximately 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet by 4.5 feet). Its square shape signifies stability and its accessibility from all sides.
  • Horns: Four horns were made for its four corners. These horns were not merely decorative; they were a place of asylum (1 Kings 1:50-51) and, most importantly, the place where the blood of the sin offering was applied for purification (Exodus 29:12, Leviticus 4:7).
  • Utensils: All its utensils—pots for removing ashes, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans—were made of bronze. This ensured every tool involved in managing the altar’s fiery work could endure the heat.
  • Grating: A bronze grating was placed inside the altar, below its ledge, halfway up. This held the burning sacrifice and allowed ashes to fall to the base for collection.
  • Rings and Poles: Four bronze rings were attached to the grating, through which acacia wood poles overlaid with bronze were inserted for transport. This design ensured the priests could carry the altar without directly touching it, preserving its sanctity.

The Courtyard: Defining the Sacred Space

After the altar, the chapter details the construction of the Tabernacle’s courtyard. This was a large rectangular enclosure that separated the holy space of God’s dwelling from the common camp of Israel. It was a visible, physical reminder that approaching a holy God requires preparation and mediation.

The Court’s Layout and Components

  • The Curtains: The courtyard was defined by fine linen curtains, hung on silver hooks from sixty supporting posts (twenty on the south side, twenty on the north, ten on the west, and ten on the east). The linen, five cubits high (about 7.5 feet), blocked the view of the interior from the outside, preserving the mystery and holiness of the worship within.
  • The Gate: The only entrance was on the east side, a thirty-cubit-wide (about 45 feet) screen embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn on fine linen. This was the single point of access, symbolizing that there is only one way into God’s presence (John 10:9, John 14:6). The vibrant colors represented royalty (purple), divinity (blue), and sacrifice (scarlet).
  • The Posts and Bases: The posts were made of acacia wood but overlaid with silver. Their bases, or sockets, were made of bronze. Silver is often associated with redemption in the Bible (e.g., the half-shekel ransom in Exodus 30:11-16), while bronze, as with the altar, speaks of judgment. The symbolism suggests that the boundary to God’s presence is founded on judgment (bronze bases) but accessed through redemption (silver posts).

The Quantified Cost of Obedience: A Detailed Inventory

A significant portion of Exodus 38 is dedicated to a precise accounting of the materials used, particularly the metals donated by the people of Israel for the Tabernacle’s construction. This inventory, provided by Ithamar son of Aaron the priest, underscores the themes of transparency, voluntary giving, and the immense value of the project.

  • Gold: 29 talents and 730 shekels (approximately 2,200 pounds or 1,000 kilograms).
  • Silver: 100 talents and 1,775 shekels (approximately 7,500 pounds or 3,400 kilograms). This silver came from the census tax, the “atonement money” paid by every male twenty years and older (Exodus 30:11-16). It was used to cast the 100 silver bases for the sanctuary and its posts.
  • Bronze: 70 talents and 2,400 shekels (approximately 5,300 pounds or 2,400 kilograms). This was used for the bases for the courtyard entrance, the Altar of Burnt Offering with its grating and utensils, and the bases for the courtyard posts and entrance.

This detailed record highlights that God’s work was built on the faithful, generous, and accountable contributions of His people. Every shekel was consecrated to a divine purpose.

The Spiritual Significance and Christian Application

While Exodus 38 describes an ancient structure, its symbolism finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

  • The Altar of Burnt Offering points to the Cross. The altar was the place of substitutionary death, where an innocent animal bore the penalty of the sinner. This prefigures Christ, who became “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). His sacrifice on the cross was the final, perfect atonement, making the continuous animal sacrifices obsolete (Hebrews 10:1-14).
  • The Bronze speaks of Judgment. The bronze overlay on the altar endured the fire of God’s judgment against sin. On the cross, Jesus fully endured the fiery judgment of God that we deserved.
  • The Horns signify Power and Refuge. The horns of the altar were a place of mercy and salvation. For the Christian, Christ is our refuge and our source of power for salvation. We “flee for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18).
  • The Single Gate prefigures Christ as the Way. The one, beautifully embroidered gate of the courtyard is a powerful symbol of exclusivity. Jesus declared, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). There is no other access to God’s presence.

In conclusion, Exodus 38 is far more than a dry construction log. It is a vivid account of God’s provision for approaching a holy God. It reveals a pattern of exact obedience, the beauty of willing generosity, and a profound symbolic system that all point forward to the ultimate reality of redemption through Jesus Christ. It teaches that approaching God requires a sacrifice that can bear judgment, and that access to His presence is found only through the one way He has provided.

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