And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times. — That is, the altar of burnt offering. This rite of sprinkling the altar seven times is not mentioned in the directions given in Exodus 30:28; Exodus 40:10. For the import of the number seven, see Leviticus 4:6.
And anointed the altar and all his vessels. — That is, the same altar of burnt sacrifice. The altar, having thus been sanctified, was thenceforward considered as sanctifying the sacrifices and oblations offered upon it. Hence the remark of Christ, “Ye fools and blind, for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift ?” (Matthew 23:19).