Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
27:2 Archaeology has shown that the horns of the altar were protrusions sticking up from the corners of the structure. Perhaps they kept wood and offerings from falling off (see Ps 118:27). They also seem to have had a theological significance, representing God’s gracious care. A person who held onto the horns of the altar was requesting leniency in judgment (see 1 Kgs 1:50-51; 2:28). The horns were anointed with blood in atonement and purification ceremonies (Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
27:2 Archaeology has shown that the horns of the altar were protrusions sticking up from the corners of the structure. Perhaps they kept wood and offerings from falling off (see Ps 118:27). They also seem to have had a theological significance, representing God’s gracious care. A person who held onto the horns of the altar was requesting leniency in judgment (see 1 Kgs 1:50-51; 2:28). The horns were anointed with blood in atonement and purification ceremonies (Exod 29:12; Lev 4:7).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And thou shalt make its horns at the four corners thereof; its horns shall be of itself; and thou shalt overlay it with copper.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof: his horns shall be of the same: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof; the horns thereof shall be of one piece with it: and thou shalt overlay it with brass.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
You shall make its horns on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with bronze.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Put horns at the four angles of it, made of the same, plating it all with brass.