The precise position of the altar of burnt offerings is not specified,... The details of its construction are quite complicated and imperfectly understood. It formed a square of 5 cubits... and stood 3 cubits high... it also had four bronzed, horn-shaped projections on the top of each corner. The inside was hollow. No mention is made of the “top” of the altar, in contrast to the incense altar... it is assumed that it was filled with field stones and earth in the wilderness encampments. This would have satisfied the requirement of 20:24 that there be “an altar of earth.” It would also have protected the wooden structure below from the fire on the altar.
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Author: Nahum M. Sarna
Keywords: Altar, Altar of burnt offering, Shittim wood, Acacia wood, Tabernacle, Sacrifice offering, Sacrificial offering, The altar, Overlaid with copper, Overlaid with brass
Bible reference(s): Exodus 27:1-2, Exodus 38:1-2, Leviticus 1:7-9, Leviticus 3:5, Leviticus 6:12
Source: The JPS Torah Commentary: Exodus, p. 172.
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