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Exodus 27 · a question people ask

Why does the Bible spend so many verses on pillars, sockets and pins?

In the text

The chapter says where every detail came from: "They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain" (27:8). The LORD had said, "According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all of its furniture, even so you shall make it" (25:9), and why: "Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them" (25:8). When it is finished, Moses sets the altar in place "as the LORD commanded Moses" (40:29) and raises up the court around it (40:33). Hebrews says the priests "serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things" (Hebrews 8:5).

The verses

“Let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all of its furniture, even so you shall make it.”
Exodus 25:8-9 · World English Bible
“You shall make it hollow with planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain.”
Exodus 27:8 · World English Bible
“He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as the LORD commanded Moses.”
Exodus 40:29 · World English Bible
“He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.”
Exodus 40:33 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Exodus 27

Exodus 27: 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).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions