It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high — its horns of one piece with it. The square base and double height of the incense altar create a proportionally taller object than the bread table — the altar of prayer rises higher relative to its width than the altar of the bread of presence. The horns — integral to the structure, as in the burnt offering altar — are the application points for the annual atonement (verse 10). The golden altar whose horns receive the atonement blood once a year is the incense altar that sends up prayer throughout the year. The same object that embodies daily prayer becomes the site of annual atonement.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

Publish a note on this verse