On the next day, the people rose early and built an altar there, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 4. Altar, within the tabernacle, to suffice for the number of victims as Solomon did; (3 Kennicott. 8:64. Tirinus.) or out of the court, by God’s dispensation, as they were defiled with blood; (Numbers 31:24. Calmet.) though this is not certain, as four months elapsed between the battle and the reconciliation of the remaining Israelites with their brethren: (Calmet. 20:47) so that during that interval, they might have committed the massacres in the different cities, and still have had time to be purified seven days, as the law required, before they could be allowed to enter the camp or the tabernacle. Bible.—Some think that one altar was prescribed only during the sojournment in the desert. See Serar. Menochius.