Exodus 27:8
Exodus 27:8 in Multiple Translations
Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
Hollow with planks shalt thou make it: as it hath been showed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
The altar is to be hollow, boarded in with wood; make it from the design which you saw on the mountain.
Make the altar hollow, using boards, just as you were shown on the mountain.
Thou shalt make the altar holowe betweene the boardes: as God shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
Hollow with boards thou dost make it, as it hath been shewed thee in the mount, so do they make [it].
You shall make it hollow with planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain.
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shown thee on the mount, so shall they make it.
Thou shalt not make it solid, but empty and hollow in the inside, as it was shewn thee in the mount.
The altar will be like a box, made from boards of acacia wood. They must make it according to these instructions that I am giving you here on this mountain.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 27:8
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 27:8 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
נְב֥וּב
לֻחֹ֖ת
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה
אֹת֑/וֹ
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
הֶרְאָ֥ה
אֹתְ/ךָ֛
בָּ/הָ֖ר
כֵּ֥ן
יַעֲשֽׂוּ
נְב֥וּב
nâbab
H5014
be hollow
V-Qal-Inf-c
לֻחֹ֖ת
lûwach
H3871
tablet
N-mp
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
אֹת֑/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
הֶרְאָ֥ה
râʼâh
H7200
Provider
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
אֹתְ/ךָ֛
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
בָּ/הָ֖ר
har
H2022
mountain
Prep | N-ms
כֵּ֥ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
יַעֲשֽׂוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 27:8
נְב֥וּב
nâbab
H5014
"be hollow"
V-Qal-Inf-c
This Hebrew word means to be hollow or foolish, like a person without wisdom. It is used to describe something empty or without purpose. In the Bible, it is translated as hollow or vain.
Definition: 1) (Qal) to hollow out 1a) hollowed (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: hollow, vain. See also: Exodus 27:8; Job 11:12; Jeremiah 52:21.
לֻחֹ֖ת
lûwach
H3871
"tablet"
N-mp
This word refers to a polished tablet, possibly made of stone, wood, or metal. In the Bible, it is used to describe the tablets of stone given to Moses, and is translated as board, plate, or table in the KJV.
Definition: 1) board, slab, tablet, plank 1a) tablets (of stone) 1b) boards (of wood) 1c) plate (of metal)
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: board, plate, table. See also: Exodus 24:12; Deuteronomy 9:15; Proverbs 3:3.
תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֹת֑/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
הֶרְאָ֥ה
râʼâh
H7200
"Provider"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for provider means to see or look after, and is used to describe God's care for his people. It appears in various forms throughout the Bible, including in Genesis and other books.
Definition: (Lord will) Provide, cause to be seen. This name means to see, look at, inspect, look after
Usage: Occurs in 1206 OT verses. KJV: advise self, appear, approve, behold, [idiom] certainly, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] joyfully, lo, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, [idiom] be near, perceive, present, provide, regard, (have) respect, (fore-, cause to, let) see(-r, -m, one another), shew (self), [idiom] sight of others, (e-) spy, stare, [idiom] surely, [idiom] think, view, visions. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 41:41; Exodus 33:13.
אֹתְ/ךָ֛
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בָּ/הָ֖ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Prep | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
כֵּ֥ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
יַעֲשֽׂוּ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
Study Notes — Exodus 27:8
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 27:8 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 27:8
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 27:8
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 27:8
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 27:8
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 27:8
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 27:8
- Sermons on Exodus 27:8
Context — The Bronze Altar
6Additionally, make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.
7The poles are to be inserted into the rings so that the poles are on two sides of the altar when it is carried.
8Construct the altar with boards so that it is hollow. It is to be made just as you were shown on the mountain.
9You are also to make a courtyard for the tabernacle. On the south side of the courtyard make curtains of finely spun linen, a hundred cubits long on one side, 10with twenty posts and twenty bronze bases, and silver hooks and bands on the posts.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 25:40 | See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. |
| 2 | Exodus 25:9 | You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you. |
| 3 | Hebrews 8:5 | The place where they serve is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.” |
| 4 | Colossians 2:20–23 | If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. |
| 5 | Matthew 15:9 | They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ” |
| 6 | 1 Chronicles 28:19 | “All this,” said David, “all the details of this plan, the LORD has made clear to me in writing by His hand upon me.” |
| 7 | Exodus 26:30–37 | So you are to set up the tabernacle according to the pattern shown you on the mountain. Make a veil of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen, with cherubim skillfully worked into it. Hang it with gold hooks on four posts of acacia wood, overlaid with gold and standing on four silver bases. And hang the veil from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the veil. So the veil will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place. Put the mercy seat on the ark of the Testimony in the Most Holy Place. And place the table outside the veil on the north side of the tabernacle, and put the lampstand opposite the table, on the south side. For the entrance to the tent, you are to make a curtain embroidered with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and finely spun linen. Make five posts of acacia wood for the curtain, overlay them with gold hooks, and cast five bronze bases for them. |
| 8 | 1 Chronicles 28:11 | Then David gave his son Solomon the plans for the portico of the temple, its buildings, storehouses, upper rooms, inner rooms, and the room for the mercy seat. |
Exodus 27:8 Summary
The altar in Exodus 27:8 was made with boards so that it was hollow, which means it was not solid. This was done according to the instructions God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The altar was an important part of the tabernacle, where sacrifices were offered to God, and its design was significant because it symbolized the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of God's people with Him (as seen in Leviticus 1:1-7). By following God's instructions for the altar, the Israelites were able to worship and serve God in a way that was pleasing to Him, and we can learn from their example by seeking to follow God's plans for our own lives (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was the altar in Exodus 27:8 constructed to be hollow?
The altar was constructed with boards so that it was hollow, likely to make it lighter and easier to transport, as instructed in Exodus 27:8, and also to signify that the true altar of God is not a physical one, but a spiritual one, as mentioned in Hebrews 13:10.
What is the significance of the mountain where the design of the altar was shown?
The mountain refers to Mount Sinai, where God gave Moses the instructions for building the tabernacle and its furnishings, including the altar, as recorded in Exodus 24:12-18 and Exodus 31:18.
How does the construction of the altar relate to the overall purpose of the tabernacle?
The altar was a crucial part of the tabernacle, as it was the place where sacrifices were offered to God, symbolizing the forgiveness of sins and the reconciliation of God's people with Him, as explained in Leviticus 1:1-7 and Hebrews 9:11-14.
What can we learn from the fact that the altar was made according to a specific design shown on the mountain?
This emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions and plans, rather than our own ideas or traditions, as seen in Exodus 27:8 and reinforced in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 10:23.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can apply the principle of following God's instructions, as seen in the construction of the altar, to my own life and decisions?
- How does the concept of a hollow altar challenge my understanding of what it means to worship and serve God?
- In what ways can I, like Moses, seek to follow God's blueprint for my life, rather than my own plans or desires?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender my own ideas and traditions, and instead seek to follow God's instructions, as seen in Exodus 27:8?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 27:8
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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 27:8
Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 27:8
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.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 27:8
(8) Hollow with boards.—Compare the second Note on Exodus 27:1.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 27:8
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.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 27:8
8. Hollow with planks] it was a hollow framework or casing. in the mount] see Exodus 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 (Numbers 4:13; Numbers 7:9), with the altar of earth or stone, reared where occasion might require, on which burnt-and peace-offerings were to be sacrificed (Exodus 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 (Exodus 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 (2 Chronicles 4:1),—no doubt the work of Phoenician artists (cf. 1 Kings 7:13-16; 1 Kings 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 Exodus 20:25 (ib. v. 47). 9–19 (cf.
Exodus 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 ½ 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 (Exodus 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.
Sermons on Exodus 27:8
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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And the Country Was Filled With Water by Duncan Campbell | In this sermon, the speaker uses the story of three armies lacking water to illustrate the spiritual poverty that exists in the Christian church today. He emphasizes the need for b |
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(Hebrews - Part 21): The Transcendental and Mystical by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the interconnectedness of the Christian faith and the natural world. He argues that just as the Bible is a letter from God to his people, na |
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(Hebrews - Part 22): Moses Instructed in Making the Temple by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of following the pattern shown in the mount, which refers to the instructions given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. The preac |
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Christianity: Shadow of Reality by Stephen Kaung | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the bondage that many Christians find themselves in today. He highlights the lack of understanding of God's law and how it operates in believe |
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Burdens & Gifts by Gareth Evans | In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a story from the book of Kings about a mother bird teaching her baby bird to fly. He uses this story as a parable to illustrate the co |
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K-441 True Reconciliation (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of humility and patience in discerning and addressing issues within the church and the world. He criticizes the spirit of prid |
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Our Great High Priest by Robert Constable | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on two stories from the Bible that demonstrate the compassion and power of Jesus. The first story is about Jesus walking on water and calming t |