These verses repeat the same words used in verse 9, except that here the altar of burnt offering and the laver are mentioned separately. This is probably because they were to be placed outside the tent itself. This altar, however, shall be most holy, which is literally “it shall be holy of holies.” Good News Translation renders this as “completely holy,” and New Jerusalem Bible has “especially holy.” One may also express this as “completely set apart for me” or “only used for my service.” This shows the importance of the altar in the sacrificial worship of the people. (See 29.37.) The laver and its base are mentioned separately, but they will not have the same degree of holiness.

An alternative translation model for verses 10-11 is:

• Also take the sacred olive oil and anoint the altar to dedicate it for offering sacrifices, along with its equipment. The altar must be completely set aside for me. Also dedicate the washbasin and its stand in the same way so that it too will be set apart for me.

Quoted with permission from Osborn, Noel D. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Exodus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1999. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .