Log inSign up

Favor · the best way to learn the Bible

Exodus 27 Bible study: The altar and the lamp

The altar of the court was built to travel, with rings and poles, and had horns "of one piece with it" (27:2). The first time the World English Bible names the Tent of Meeting, Aaron and his sons are keeping a lamp burning with oil the people brought (27:20-21). Where priests offered "day by day", Hebrews says Jesus "offered one sacrifice for sins forever" (Hebrews 10:11-12).

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the words behind the words, what most readers miss, and how it all leads to Jesus.

Start your free weekWhat is Favor?

First week free, then $10 a month per person

“You shall command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.”
Exodus 27:20 · World English Bible

Try it · Did you catch it?

“The altar in Exodus 27 had horns on its four corners, made of one piece with it.”

Is that in Exodus 27, or not? Make your call.

What's really going on

An altar made to travel

In the text

The altars before this one were built where they stood. "Noah built an altar to the LORD" (Genesis 8:20); "Abraham built the altar there" (Genesis 22:9); Moses "built an altar at the base of the mountain" (24:4). The LORD had said, "You shall make an altar of earth for me" (20:24). This one is different. It is "of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide" and "three cubits" high (27:1), overlaid "with bronze" (27:2), with bronze rings and poles, "on the two sides of the altar when carrying it" (27:7). It is made "hollow with planks" (27:8). This altar goes where the people go.

Where it leads to Jesus

One sacrifice for sins forever

Interpretation

Exodus 27:1leads toHebrews 10:11-12

This altar is where Israel was to offer "two lambs a year old day by day continually" (Exodus 29:38). Hebrews says, "Every priest indeed stands day by day serving and offering often the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins, but he, when he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God" (Hebrews 10:11-12), and "we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all" (Hebrews 10:10). Hebrews doesn't name the altar of Exodus 27; the link is that the daily lambs of Exodus 29:38 were to be offered on it. That reading is an interpretation, not something Hebrews states.

Honest questions

Questions people ask about Exodus 27

That was a taste

The rest of Exodus 27 is waiting in Favor

  • Bronze in the court, gold inside
  • A lamp for the whole people
  • Said again in Leviticus
  • Hebrews on this tabernacle
  • 8 questions as you read
  • 8 more Hebrew words
  • A short check at the end
  • Your notes, saved as you go
Start your free week

Favor reads the Bible in order, so you'll reach Exodus 27 with everything before it in view. First week free, then $10 a month per person.

The Hebrew word behind it

מִזְבֵּחַmizbeachsay miz-BAY-akh

Brown-Driver-Briggs: "altar". Strong's traces it to zavach (H2076), "to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)". The chapter uses it six times, all in its first seven verses (27:1, 27:5, 27:6, 27:7). Its first appearance in the Hebrew Bible is Noah's: "Noah built an altar to the LORD" (Genesis 8:20). Later this altar is called "the altar of burnt offering", set "before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting" (40:6).

For your group

Exodus 27 Bible study questions

  1. 1The lamp needed fresh oil and tending "from evening to morning" (27:21), night after night. What helps keep your faith burning through an ordinary week?
  2. 2The priests offered at this altar "day by day", and Hebrews says Jesus "offered one sacrifice for sins forever" (Hebrews 10:11-12). How does it change things for you to know there's nothing to add to what he did?
  3. 3The oil came from the whole people, and the lamp burned "on the behalf of the children of Israel" (27:21). What small thing do you bring that helps your group or church?

Leading a group? In Favor, everyone reads Exodus 27 during the week and answers these questions privately. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together, and you can print the week's sheet.

Start a Bible study
Free quizTake the Exodus 27 quizQuestions with the answers explained, for your group or your familyFree printablePrint this Bible studyOne page: the chapter, the verse, and the questions with room to write

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions

What is Favor?

Favor is a Bible study app that explains every chapter as you read: the Hebrew and Greek behind the words, the details most readers miss, and how each part of the Bible leads to Jesus. Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church.

How much does it cost?

Your first week is free. After that it's $10 a month per person, the same for everyone, including groups and churches. There are no tiers and nothing extra to unlock.

Can I read Exodus 27 straight away?

Favor takes the Bible as one story, in order, so you'll reach Exodus 27 with everything that leads up to it in view. Start from Genesis, or meet Jesus first in the Gospels. You can read the text of any chapter in Favor's Look up whenever you like.

Do I need a group?

No. Many people read on their own. If you'd like to read with others, start a Bible study and share one link. Everyone's answers stay private until you meet.

I've never really read the Bible. Is this for me?

Yes. Favor starts where you are and explains as it goes. The questions along the way aren't marked right or wrong: you answer, then see what the text shows.

Which Bible does Favor use?

The World English Bible, a modern, readable translation in the public domain. God's name appears as "the LORD", as in most English Bibles.

Is Favor tied to a church?

No. Favor is non-denominational. Where Christians read a passage differently, it shows the main views side by side and doesn't pick one.

Start with Exodus 27

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

All Bible study guides

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Hebrew and Greek words are checked against the original-language texts and public-domain lexicons. What we believe · Favor home