The furniture of the court consisted of an altar for burnt offerings (mizbeah ha'olah), and a basin (kiyyor) for ritual cleansing. These articles and their accompanying utensils were overlaid, not with gold, but with bronze; objects outside of the tent were made of less valuable materials (see Exodus 27:1-8, 30:17-21 & 38:1-8).

One of the primary ways the Israelites interacted with God was through animal sacrifice. Sacrifices would be made for a variety of reasons: for atonement from sin, to mark the holidays, or to offer thanksgiving to God. Animals would be brought by an individual, a family, or a tribe, would be slaughtered inside the court, and then burned on the altar. Divine instruction regulated every detail of the sacrifices. Different parts of the animal would be burnt for different purposes, and the remains would be burnt up, eaten by the priests, or taken outside the camp to be discarded. Blood from the animals was often removed and taken inside the tent to be sprinkled over the incense altar, the veil, or the ark. Goats, sheep, cattle, and birds were brought to the altar.

Grain offerings and offerings of unleavened bread were also made over the bronze altar. Salt, oil, and frankincense were offered with the grain, and wine was poured over the altar to be consumed by the fire. All of these things were gifts to God, "to be a pleasing odor to the Lord" (Exodus 29:18).

The basin was placed in the court so that the priests could wash themselves before they entered the Tabernacle or performed the sacrifices. It was made entirely from the copper mirrors of the Israelite women and consisted of a bronze basin and stand. No other detail is given. The Bible is very clear on one point, however–that the consequence of not washing in the basin before tending to the Tabernacle was death (Exodus 30:20-21).

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