Let's begin with the Ramp. Well, there was no Ramp. My research indicated with an absolute certainty that there was no such thing existing in the Tabernacle. The Ramp of the Altar of Burnt offering in the Tabernacle comes from the Jewish tradition of the late Second Temple period, which is foreign to the Hebrew tradition and has nothing to do with the actual Hebrew Tabernacle that I'm discussing in this blog. Therefore, this image of the Altar is ultimately incorrect:
Now, since there was no Ramp, it also means that the total height of the Altar of Burnt Offering (Grate+Altar) was not 5 cubits, but rather 3 cubits, just like the description of Exodus 27:1 says. This, in turn would make total height of the Grate of the Altar - 1.5 cubits as Exodus 27:5 tells us that the Grate was only reaching half way up the Altar. Therefore, the proper Grate of the Altar of Burnt Offering looked like so:
As you can see from the image above, the Grate is now 1.5 cubits in height, with the Rings for the Staves attached right by the top of the Grate at each of the 4 corners. Please see my previous posts on the Altar for comparison. But the shape of the Grate remained pretty much the same.
Now, if we will place the Altar on this new Grate, you should be able to notice right away how proper the setup looks. Namely the total height of the Altar (now being 3 cubits) corresponds well with an average human height and allows very convenient access to the Altar - right at the chest level, just like this image below shows:
And because of the fact that the Copper Rings of the Grate (Exodus 27:4) now properly located at the edges of the Grate, once the Altar is being transported the weight of the Altar is being distributed evenly and symmetrically. Right through the horizontal center plane of the Altar. Like so:
To sum up:
- There was no Ramp of any kind leading to the Altar of Burnt Offering of the Tabernacle
- The Copper Grate was 1.5 cubits tall, with the Copper Rings attached at the top of each of its 4 corners
I hope that now it is clear that it is extremely important to read the text of the Pentateuch without any bias whatsoever, as any traditional interpretations of the text will most certainly lead to mistakes like this one.
6 comments:
In Ex. 27:8 I read "You are to make the altar hollow, out of boards." (NET-Bible)
What is the meaning of "hollow"? I think openings in the lower part of the altar, for removing the ashes. Like you has in the most upper picture.
I dont think that the word "hollow" refers to any "openings" for the ashes. However, it is still possible that the Altar had some.
However, in my opinion, they simply used staves to lift the Altar (even when there was fire on it) to collect the ashes for the service.
What if they dug a pit under it instead of lifting the alter. Then they could tend the fire easier.
Yes, this most likely had been the case. Some kind of pit with the openings on the side to get the ashes out. This is probably because it says in Leviticus 6:13 that the fire were to be always burning on the Altar during its operation, so yes, it would be easier to use a pit instead of lifting it up with a fire burning on top of it.
I'm finishing up a 7 month building of the Mishkan and really appreciate all the studies I've found online. You really learn an incredible amount more when you actually build this. My model is 10 feet by 6 feet. I may set up my own website at some point with pictures once complete. I'd like to share what I've learned over the 17 yrs I've been studying this amazing place of worship.
Sure, I would appreciate any intelligent comments about the Tabernacle. Its my favorite subject too.
Just curious, have you've gone with traditional square pillars for the courtyard and rectangular boards for the corner boards of the Tent? Or you have incorporated anything from my design?
There are many yet unsolved difficulties with the layout of the Tabernacle that even with my design I could not solve yet.
Btw, you can use Google Sites for the web site. Its free,easy to setup and thats what I used for my Interlinear Pentateuch.
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