26 Seven days shall they make atonement for the altar and purify it; so shall they consecrate it.
*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.
Consecrate themselves - literally, as in the margin. Leviticus 8:27. The priests are already consecrated, but the memory of their consecration was thus kept up at the dedication of the altar.
Seven days shall they purge the altar, and purify it,.... Which denotes the perfect purity and sanctification of it; which how to be applied to Christ; see Gill on Ezekiel 43:20;
and they shall consecrate themselves: the priests shall consecrate themselves, or devote themselves to the service of the altar; so Gospel ministers to the ministry of a crucified Christ: or they themselves should consecrate the altar by the above rites: or rather it may be literally rendered,
and they shall fill its hands, or "their own hands" (b); that is, either they shall fill the sides of the altar with sacrifices, as much as it could hold; or the hands of the priests with parts of the sacrifice, or with gifts, as a token of their being inaugurated into, and invested with, the priestly office: so Gospel ministers should have their hands full of, or be filled with, the gifts and graces of the Spirit, and with the knowledge of Christ, his person, offices, grace, righteousness, and sacrifice, that they may minister unto others.
(b) There is a double reading of the words; the Cetib or textual reading is "its hand"; the Keri or marginal reading is "their own hands".
Seven days--referring to the original directions of Moses for seven days' purification services of the altar (Exodus 29:37).
consecrate themselves--literally, "fill their hands," namely, with offerings; referring to the mode of consecrating a priest (Exodus 29:24, Exodus 29:35).
They - The priests in course.
*More commentary available at chapter level.