Ex. 27 Of the brazen altar, Ex. 27:1–8. Of the court of the tabernacle, Ex. 27:9–17; the length of it, Ex. 27:18. Of the lamps burning always, Ex. 27:20.

This was not that for incense, but another for sacrifices.

The horns were elevated above the body of the altar, in form either of pyramids or spires, or rather of horns, as the word signifies; nor is there any necessity; of departing from the proper signification.

Basons, to receive the blood of the sacrifices, which they were to sprinkle. Flesh-hooks, wherewith they took flesh out of the pot in which it was seethed, as 1 Sam. 2:14. But this seems not proper here, because the flesh was never boiled upon the altar, but in other places appointed for that use.

A grate of net-work, which was competently strong and thick, this being as it were the hearth of the altar, upon which they laid both the wood and the sacrifices, and it was full of holes, through which the blood and ashes might fall down into the place appointed for them.

Under the compass, i.e. within the square and hollow space of the altar. That the net may be even to the midst of the altar, or, and the net shall be at (the Hebrew ad being here used for el, as Hos. 14:2, Joel 2:12, Amos 4:6, Amos 4:8), the midst of the altar.

The staves shall be put into the rings, which seem to be the same both to the altar and the grate, though some allege that place for the contrary.

i.e. Not one entire piece of.wood, but consisting of four several sides, hollow within, for easiness and conveniency of carriage in their wilderness state.

A court encompassing the tabernacle, Ex. 40:33, in the midst whereof the altar of sacrifices was placed, upon which the offerings were burnt in the open air, which was most convenient. By the hangings the court was distinguished and enclosed.

On the twenty pillars the hangings were fastened by the hooks here mentioned. Their twenty sockets, or, bases, upon which the pillars stood. Their fillets, or, hoops, which encompassed the pillars at the top, being placed there, as it seems, for ornament only.

These fifteen cubits, with the fifteen cubits Ex. 27:15, and the twenty cubits Ex. 27:16, make up the fifty cubits mentioned.

Their hooks shall be of silver, all silver, not only covered with silver, as some unduly infer from Ex. 38:17.

With the pins the tabernacle and curtains thereof were fastened to the ground, as tents usually are with wooden pins.

Beaten out of the olives with a pestle, which is freer from dregs than that which is squeezed out with a press. To burn always, i.e. at all the times. appointed; daily, though not continually; as the lamb offered only every morning and every evening is called a continual burnt-offering, Ex. 29:42.

The tabernacle of the congregation was so called, because there the people used to meet not only one with another, but with God also. See Ex. 25:22, Num. 17:4. Others render it, in the tabernacle of witness, because there God declared his mind and will, and man’s duty.