Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Exodus 27:8
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was showed thee in the mount, so shall they make [it].
8. Hollow with planks ] it was a hollow framework or casing.
in the mount ] see Exo 25:9.
It is difficult to reconcile satisfactorily this plated ‘altar’ ( v. 1) of acacia wood, borne upon the shoulders of Levites from one encampment to another (Num 4:13; Num 7:9), with the altar of earth or stone, reared where occasion might require, on which burnt-and peace-offerings were to be sacrificed (Exo 20:24 f.). As nothing is said about a top to the altar, on which the victims might be placed, it is commonly assumed that, when the Tabernacle became stationary, the hollow case of the altar was filled up with earth. But it is strange that, if intended, this is not expressed. On the other hand, if the fire was kindled on the ground, within the altar, it is obvious that the wooden sides would quickly be destroyed. The directions here given are in fact entirely unrelated to those of Exo 20:24 f. When the character of P’s Tabernacle-legislation, as a whole, is considered, and account taken of the wide differences which separate it from the ceremonial legislation of JE, it can hardly be doubted that the true explanation of the present remarkable structure is that ‘it originated in the desire to construct a portable altar on the lines of the massive bronze altar of Solomon, which was itself a departure from the true Heb. tradition (Exo 20:24-26)’ (Kennedy, p. 658). The bronze altar in Solomon’s temple was a gigantic structure, 20 cubits (30 ft.) long and broad, and 10 cubits (15 ft.) high (2Ch 4:1), no doubt the work of Phoenician artists (cf. 1Ki 7:13-16; 1Ki 7:40-46). Zerubbabel’s altar, it may be added, was built of stone ( 1Ma 4:46 ): the one erected by Judas in its place, in 165 b.c., was of unhewn stone, ‘according to the law’ of Exo 20:25 ( ib. v. 47).
9 19 (cf. Exo 38:9-20. The court of the tabernacle. This was a rectangular area, lying E. and W., 100 cubits (150 ft.) long, and 50 (75 ft.) broad, enclosed by hangings of white linen, 5 cubits (7 ft.) high, suspended on pillars of wood, 20 for each of the larger sides, and 10 for each of the shorter sides. Each of the pillars was let into a socket of silver, and had a capital overlaid with silver (Exo 38:17); and all were kept in position by cords, and tent-pins of bronze. In the centre of the E. front there was a space of 20 cubits (30 ft.), not provided with hangings, but left open as an entrance to the court, and covered by a screen of white linen, embroidered in colours.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 8. Hollow with boards] It seems to have been a kind of frame-work, and to have had nothing solid in the inside, and only covered with the grating at the top. This rendered it more light and portable.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
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.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it,…. The frame of it being made of boards of shittim wood, there was nothing within side but the grate, which was put within the square, down into the middle of it, and so was light of carriage; though the Targum of Jonathan, and other Jewish writers, represent this hollow as filled up with dust and earth, to answer to the altar of earth Moses was before bid to make; but this seems quite contrary to the present direction: the hollowness of the altar may denote the emptiness of Christ when he became a sacrifice: he emptied himself, as it were, when he became incarnate, of all his greatness, glory, and riches, and became mean and poor for the sake of his people, that they through his poverty might be made rich, Php 2:7
as it was showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it; or, “as he showed thee” g, that is, God. Moses had a model of this altar showed him, and he was to be careful to instruct the workmen, and see to it, that they built it exactly according to the model.
g “fecit videre”, Pagninus, Montanus; “ostendit Dominus”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius so Ainsworth.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(8) Hollow with boards.Compare the second Note on Exo. 27:1.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
as. Hebrew according as.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
as it was showed: Heb. he shewed, Exo 25:9, Exo 25:40, Exo 26:30-37, 1Ch 28:11, 1Ch 28:19, Mat 15:9, Col 2:20-23, Heb 8:5