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.
You must build an altar out of acacia wood. Make it seven and a half feet long and seven and a half feet wide—perfectly square. The altar should be four and a half feet tall.
God is giving Moses detailed instructions for building a square wooden altar that would be used for sacrifices in worship.
📚 Historical Context
This instruction was given to Moses on Mount Sinai as part of God's detailed plans for the tabernacle, the portable worship center the Israelites would use during their 40 years in the wilderness. The altar described here is the bronze altar (also called the altar of burnt offering) where animal sacrifices would be made. These instructions came after God had delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and was establishing them as His covenant people with specific ways to worship Him.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.