Ex. 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
Ex. 27:2 And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
Ex. 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
Ex. 27:4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.
Ex. 27:5 And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.
Ex. 27:6 And thou shalt make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.
Ex. 27:7 And the staves shall be put into the rings, and the staves shall be upon the two sides of the altar, to bear it.
Ex. 27:8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
The altar was to be made of shittim wood overlaid with brass; it was to be square in shape—7’6” x 7’6” x 4’6” high.
It was to have horns overlaid with brass at the four corners.
All the utensils to be used at the altar were to be made of brass.
The altar was to sit upon a grating of brass with four rings at each corner. The grating allowed for disposal of ashes from offerings and sacrifices.
Poles made of shittim wood overlaid with brass were to go through the rings for use when moving the altar.
The altar was to be hollow—not solid.
Again, it was to be made according to the pattern shown Moses on the mount.
The altar is the place of sacrifice. We have to die to self and accept Jesus as LORD. As my pastor has said, “The altar is where we are altered.”
Ex. 27:9 And thou shalt make the court of the tabernacle: for the south side southward there shall be hangings for the court of fine twined linen of an hundred cubits long for one side:
Ex. 27:10 And the twenty pillars thereof and their twenty sockets shall be of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets shall be of silver.
Ex. 27:11 And likewise for the north side in length there shall be hangings of an hundred cubits long, and his twenty pillars and their twenty sockets of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver.
Ex. 27:12 And for the breadth of the court on the west side shall be hangings of fifty cubits: their pillars ten, and their sockets ten.
Ex. 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
Ex. 27:14 The hangings of one side of the gate shall be fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Ex. 27:15 And on the other side shall be hangings fifteen cubits: their pillars three, and their sockets three.
Ex. 27:16 And for the gate of the court shall be an hanging of twenty cubits, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, wrought with needlework: and their pillars shall be four, and their sockets four.
Ex. 27:17 All the pillars round about the court shall be filleted with silver; their hooks shall be of silver, and their sockets of brass.
Ex. 27:18 The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
The courtyard was to be surrounded by curtains of fine linen.
They were to hang from 20 pillars from brass sockets on the north and south sides.
They were to hang from hooks of silver.
The west side was to use 10 pillars.
The east was to serve as the entrance and would have curtains on each side of the entrance. Each side would utilize three pillars and bases.
The entry curtain was to be made of purple, blue and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen using four pillars and bases.
All the pillars in the courtyard were to have silver bands and hooks and brass bases.
There was one entrance to the tabernacle. There is one way to enter God’s presence now—through Jesus Christ. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Entry was a choice, an individual’s personal decision.
It came to my mind that the entrance was from the east. I know Jesus will return from the east of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. It was the east side of the Garden of Eden that was guarded by the cherubim to guard the way to the tree of life.
Ex. 27:19 All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass.
All other articles used in the service of the tabernacle—even the tent pegs—were to be brass.
Ex. 27:20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
Ex. 27:21 In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.
The Israelites are commanded to bring pure/clear oil from beaten olives to keep the lamp burning.
The lamp is to be placed outside the curtain in front of the Testimony (right outside the Holy of Holies).
The priests are to keep the lamps burning continually for future generations.
Several things came to mind—
The lamp obviously provides light. Jesus is the light of the world. We are to be lights in the world. John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
The oil was to pure and clear. This makes me think of how we should strive to be sinless. Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
The oil was from beaten olives. Christ was beaten for our sins in order to become our Savior and the source of our ability to shed any light in this world. Matthew 27:26 “Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified.”
The oil represents the fuel, the power for the lamps. The oil is representative of the Holy Spirit who provides the fuel, the power for our lives. Our light can only shine as we yield to the Spirit to minister through us. Ephesians 3:16 “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man….”
The Holy of Holies represents the presence of God. No one can approach God’s presence except through the light and power of the LORD Jesus. Ephesians 2:13 & 18 “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ….For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
The priests were to keep the lamps burning in the dark hours. The Holy Spirit is available to us continually—especially in the dark. We are to let our lights shine continually in the darkness of this world (sin makes it dark continually). Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
This direction was to be continued for generations to come. We are to provide the teaching of God’s Word to our children so that the light of God’s truth can reach future generations. Ephesians 6:4 “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
God was very specific in sharing what was pleasing to Him and what was His will for the people. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”
We are every bit as chosen as the Israelites. He will be just as clear in revealing His will for our lives. 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light….”
Sometimes God mapped out expectations for the Israelites regarding His plans and directives, and other times He asked for obedience without question. In that regard, one was to obey what he knew to be right before God and trust that He would reveal the next step when necessary. LORD, help me to be obedient to your Word and wait for you as you work out your plan for my life.
Ex. 28:1 And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons.
Ex. 28:2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.
Ex. 28:3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Ex. 28:4 And these are the garments which they shall make; a breastplate, and an ephod, and a robe, and a broidered coat, a mitre, and a girdle: and they shall make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, and his sons, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Aaron and his sons were to be set apart to serve as priests.
The work of a priest requires special garments—garments of holiness and beauty (just as we as part of the priesthood require the garment of salvation provided through Jesus). 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light….”
God filled specific men with the spirit of wisdom to make the needed garments (just as He always provides and empowers to accomplish His purpose). Philippians 2:13 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
The garments of the priest were to include: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a broidered coat, a mitre (turban), and a girdle.
Ex. 28:5 And they shall take gold, and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen.
Ex. 28:6 And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and of purple, of scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cunning work.
Ex. 28:7 It shall have the two shoulderpieces thereof joined at the two edges thereof; and so it shall be joined together.
Ex. 28:8 And the curious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen.
Ex. 28:9 And thou shalt take two onyx stones, and grave on them the names of the children of Israel:
Ex. 28:10 Six of their names on one stone, and the other six names of the rest on the other stone, according to their birth.
Ex. 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
Ex. 28:12 And thou shalt put the two stones upon the shoulders of the ephod for stones of memorial unto the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD upon his two shoulders for a memorial.
Ex. 28:13 And thou shalt make ouches of gold;
Ex. 28:14 And two chains of pure gold at the ends; of wreathen work shalt thou make them, and fasten the wreathen chains to the ouches.
The ephod was formed of two pieces joined at the shoulder.
The girdle appears to be a belt that was interlaced together to secure the ephod.
The ephod was to be made of the same material and colors as the curtains.
Two onyx stones (probably a pale green) were to be engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel; six on each stone, listed according to birth.
The stones were to be set in filigree gold on the shoulders of the ephod.
Verses 13 and 14 seem to be referring to delicate chains of gold to connect the front and back by hooking around the stones.
The fact that the priest was wearing the weight of the stones on his shoulder reminds me of how Jesus carries us in His power as we minister before God. It also reminds me of how we, as priests, are to “carry” one another in service before the LORD. Galatians 6:2 “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
The stones were to serve as a memorial both to the children of Israel and to God. Of what? His covenant, I believe.
Constable: “Josephus wrote that the names of Jacob"s six oldest sons were on the stone on the right shoulder, and the names of his six youngest sons were on the stone on the left.”
I liked this thought from Courson: “As we will see, the twelve stones representing the Twelve Tribes were over the heart of the high priest. Here, however, we see their names on his shoulders, the place of burden-bearing. Are you willing to take some risks, to carry some weight? Will you lift others to the Lord as you intercede for them on your knees? Will you do some heavy lifting on behalf of others? Jesus did. He bore the heaviest thing in the world when He bore the weight of my sin.”
Ex. 28:15 And thou shalt make the breastplate of judgment with cunning work; after the work of the ephod thou shalt make it; of gold, of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine twined linen, shalt thou make it.
Ex. 28:16 Foursquare it shall be being doubled; a span shall be the length thereof, and a span shall be the breadth thereof.
Ex. 28:17 And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones: the first row shall be a sardius, a topaz, and a carbuncle: this shall be the first row.
Ex. 28:18 And the second row shall be an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond.
Ex. 28:19 And the third row a ligure, an agate, and an amethyst.
Ex. 28:20 And the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be set in gold in their inclosings.
Ex. 28:21 And the stones shall be with the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names, like the engravings of a signet; every one with his name shall they be according to the twelve tribes.
The breastplate was to be made of the same material and colors as the ephod.
It was to be in the shape of a square, having a double thickness.
Four rows of precious stones in gold settings were to be attached to the breastplate.
Row 1 – sardius (a red gem), topaz, carbuncle (probably the emerald)
Row 2 – emerald (probably the garnet), sapphire, diamond (probably onyx)
Row 3 – ligure (probably the jacinth), agate, amethyst
Row 4 – beryl (perhaps the topaz), onyx (probably the beryl), jasper
Each stone represents one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Guzik: “It isn’t enough for a priest to have a heart for God. He must also have a heart for the people.”
Ex. 28:22 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate chains at the ends of wreathen work of pure gold.
Ex. 28:23 And thou shalt make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shalt put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.
Ex. 28:24 And thou shalt put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate.
Ex. 28:25 And the other two ends of the two wreathen chains thou shalt fasten in the two ouches, and put them on the shoulderpieces of the ephod before it.
Ex. 28:26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
Ex. 28:27 And two other rings of gold thou shalt make, and shalt put them on the two sides of the ephod underneath, toward the forepart thereof, over against the other coupling thereof, above the curious girdle of the ephod.
Ex. 28:28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above the curious girdle of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod.
Ex. 28:29 And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goeth in unto the holy place, for a memorial before the LORD continually.
The breastplate was to be attached to the ephod by chains of pure gold that have been entwined.
The chains connected the two pieces through gold rings or loops at the shoulder; at the bottom, it would be connected with blue twine.
The stones on the breastplate allowed the priest to carry the names of the children of Israel next to his heart.
This was to be done for a memorial before the LORD. The priest represents the people before the LORD.
Obviously, God knows everything and doesn’t need a reminder. The priest—who is human—needs to be reminded constantly of his responsibility before the LORD.
Ex. 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron’s heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
The doubled fabric on the breastplate formed a pocket into which was placed the Urim and Thummim. These were objects that were used to make the will of God known to the priests and thus to the people. According to Strong’s they represent Light and truth. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have access to these stones today!
Ex. 28:31 And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue.
Ex. 28:32 And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent.
Ex. 28:33 And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about:
Ex. 28:34 A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about.
Ex. 28:35 And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
The robe of the ephod is to be completely blue. It was to have a strong reinforced opening for the head and neck, requiring it be put on over the head.
The hem was to be embroidered with blue, purple and scarlet pomegranates.
Each pomegranate was to be separated by bells of gold.
The bells would be evidence that the high priest was ministering in the Holy of Holies.
I heard a series of tapes by a Messianic Jew, Dick Reuben, who had some interesting insight to these garments. He intimated that the blue represents the Holy Spirit who comes upon you at salvation. One must possess the Holy Spirit to enter God’s presence. The pomegranates represented the fruits of the Spirit and the bells the evidences of the Spirit at work in one’s life.
Ex. 28:36 And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD.
Ex. 28:37 And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be.
Ex. 28:38 And it shall be upon Aaron’s forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.
A plate or medallion of pure gold is to be made and engraved with the words “holiness to the LORD.”
It is to be hung on a blue twine cord and worn on the front of the mitre or turban on the high priest’s forehead.
It appears to serve as insurance that the offerings of the people would be acceptable before the LORD.
Ex. 28:39 And thou shalt embroider the coat of fine linen, and thou shalt make the mitre of fine linen, and thou shalt make the girdle of needlework.
Ex. 28:40 And for Aaron’s sons thou shalt make coats, and thou shalt make for them girdles, and bonnets shalt thou make for them, for glory and for beauty.
Ex. 28:41 And thou shalt put them upon Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him; and shalt anoint them, and consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister unto me in the priest’s office.
Ex. 28:42 And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach:
Ex. 28:43 And they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute for ever unto him and his seed after him.
Other garments worn by the priests (all the priests) were to be a coat/shirt, mitre/turban and girdle/belt of fine linen.
They were garments representative of their special position of service.
After Aaron and his sons were clothed with these garments, they were to be anointed (with oil), consecrated and sanctified (declared clean and holy) as priests of God.
The priests were also to have linen undergarments that covered from the waist to the thighs.
These garments were always to be worn when they were ministering in the tabernacle—if not, they would die.
These instructions were to be followed by future generations as well.
God is very particular about how we appear before Him. The beautiful thing is that we are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus when He looks at us. Because of Jesus we are always dressed appropriately to approach Him.
Also, it is interesting that there is nothing here about a rope being tied around the ankle of the high priest to pull him out of the Holy of Holies in case he is struck dead while in there. This appears to be a man-made idea.
I found this note at christiananswers.net: Dr. W.E. Nunnally, a professor of Hebrew and early Judaism, has reported: “The rope on the high priest legend is just that: a legend. It has obscure beginnings in the Middle Ages and keeps getting repeated. It cannot be found anywhere in the Bible, the Apocrypha, the Dead Sea Scrolls, Josephus, the Pseudepigrapha, the Talmud, Mishna, or any other Jewish source. It just is not there.”