Definition: And thou shalt anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 40:10. It’s a really important passage about how God wants to treat the Israelites after they leave Egypt. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “After you’ve left Egypt and are free to worship me, I want you to treat this altar – which is for offering sacrifices – with a special level of respect and holiness.” Let’s unpack it further: “And thou shalt anoint the altar…” This means God is going to mark or decorate the altar. It's not just any old altar; it's a special one. “…and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar:” This is where it gets a little more symbolic. “Vessels” refers to the containers used for the sacrifices – like pots, trays, or even just a simple wooden platform. "Sanctify" means to make it holy, pure, and untouched by anything bad. “It shall be an altar most holy.” This is the big picture - God wants this altar to be the best altar he can create. It’s not just a place for giving thanks; it's a place where God’s presence is felt closest and more powerfully. What does this tell us about God’s plan? This verse shows that God is interested in the Israelites’ worship. He wants them to be aware of his holiness and to treat their offerings with reverence – a sign of deep gratitude for being free from slavery. It's a declaration that God values their devotion. In short, it’s a powerful message about God’s presence and desire for a dedicated and holy worship experience. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of Exodus 40? Give you some context about why this verse is significant in the story of Israel's exodus?