Placing the large outer altar in its proper position relative to the Tent of Meeting is a crucial step in preparing the Tabernacle for the sacrificial service and establishing the order of holiness within the camp. Originally known as the Copper Altar, it is now referred to as the Altar of the Burnt Offering, as it is the primary structure designated for sacrifices [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This shift in name points toward the future, specifically to the eighth day of the Tabernacle's dedication and beyond. From that point onward, the regular, daily burnt offering would be brought upon it, cementing its identity [העמק דבר].
The altar is positioned directly in front of the entrance to the Tabernacle, meaning it stands firmly within the surrounding courtyard [ביאור שטיינזלץ, קאסוטו]. While this specific placement was not explicitly detailed when the command to build the altar was first given, it was naturally understood from the broader context of the Tabernacle's design [קאסוטו].
This placement carries deep practical and spiritual significance. The requirement that the altar stand before the entrance establishes a rule that the doors of the Tabernacle must remain open while the sacrificial service is performed. However, this specific law only took effect after the initial seven days of inauguration, a period during which the altar was still treated as a private place of worship.
The exact sequence in which the Tabernacle components were assembled is equally important. The walls of the Tent of Meeting were erected before the altar was moved into place. This sequence was necessary because the altar derives its holiness from standing before the Tabernacle; the physical partitions of the tent are what actually sanctify the altar. Conversely, the altar was set in its location before the surrounding curtains of the courtyard were hung. Since the courtyard does not impart holiness to the altar, the altar, which possesses a greater level of sanctity, takes priority in the order of construction [העמק דבר].