Exodus 38:4
Exodus 38:4 in Multiple Translations
He made a grate of bronze mesh for the altar under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom.
And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.
And he made for the altar a grating of network of brass, under the ledge round it beneath, reaching halfway up.
And he made a network of brass for the altar, under the frame round it, stretching half-way up;
He made a bronze mesh grate for the altar and placed it under the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh came halfway down the altar.
Moreouer he made a brasen grate wrought like a net to the Altar, vnder the compasse of it beneath in the middes of it,
And he maketh for the altar a brazen grate of net-work, under its border beneath, unto its midst;
He made for the altar a grating of a network of bronze, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up.
And he made for the altar a brazen grate of net-work under the compass of it beneath to the midst of it.
And he made the grate thereof of brass, in manner of a net, and under it in the midst of the altar a hearth,
They also made a bronze grating to hold the wood and burning coals. They put the grating under the rim that went around the altar. They made it so that it was inside the altar, halfway down.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 38:4
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 38:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֤עַשׂ
לַ/מִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙
מִכְבָּ֔ר
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
רֶ֣שֶׁת
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
תַּ֧חַת
כַּרְכֻּבּ֛/וֹ
מִ/לְּ/מַ֖טָּה
עַד
חֶצְיֽ/וֹ
וַ/יַּ֤עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לַ/מִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙
mizbêach
H4196
altar
Prep | N-ms
מִכְבָּ֔ר
makbêr
H4345
grate
N-ms
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
maʻăseh
H4639
deed
N-ms
רֶ֣שֶׁת
resheth
H7568
net
N-fs
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
N-fs
תַּ֧חַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
כַּרְכֻּבּ֛/וֹ
karkôb
H3749
ledge
N-ms | Suff
מִ/לְּ/מַ֖טָּה
maṭṭâh
H4295
beneath
Prep | Prep | Adv
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
חֶצְיֽ/וֹ
chêtsîy
H2677
half
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 38:4
וַ/יַּ֤עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לַ/מִּזְבֵּ֨חַ֙
mizbêach
H4196
"altar"
Prep | N-ms
An altar is a place of sacrifice, where offerings are made to God, as seen in the Bible's description of the tabernacle and temple. It was a central part of Israel's worship. The altar played a key role in the priestly rituals.
Definition: altar
Usage: Occurs in 338 OT verses. KJV: altar. See also: Genesis 8:20; Leviticus 7:2; 1 Kings 2:28.
מִכְבָּ֔ר
makbêr
H4345
"grate"
N-ms
A grate or lattice-work, used to describe a barrier or partition, like a screen. It appears in the Bible as a physical object, not a metaphor.
Definition: grating, lattice-work
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: grate. See also: Exodus 27:4; Exodus 38:5; Exodus 39:39.
מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה
maʻăseh
H4639
"deed"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to an action or deed, which can be good or bad. It is used to describe various activities, such as work, business, or achievements. The KJV translates it as act, deed, or labor.
Definition: : judgement/punishment 1) deed, work 1a) deed, thing done, act 1b) work, labour 1c) business, pursuit 1d) undertaking, enterprise 1e) achievement 1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment) 1g) work, thing made 1h) work (of God) 1i) product
Usage: Occurs in 221 OT verses. KJV: act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought. See also: Genesis 5:29; Job 1:10; Psalms 8:4.
רֶ֣שֶׁת
resheth
H7568
"net"
N-fs
A net used for catching animals, but also a symbol of judgment or a trap. In the book of Ecclesiastes, it describes a net that can snare people. The tabernacle even had a network of bronze for its altar.
Definition: 1) net 1a) net 1a1) for catching 1a2) of judgment (fig) 1a3) of leaders leading people to sin 1a4) as a trap for man 1b) network (brazen-for altar of tabernacle)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: net(-work). See also: Exodus 27:4; Psalms 57:7; Psalms 9:16.
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
"bronze"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to copper or something made of it, like a coin or chain. It can also symbolize something base or impure, as in lust or filthiness. It appears in various KJV translations, including brasen and brass.
Definition: 1) copper, bronze 1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy) 1b) fetters (of copper or bronze) 1c) copper (as value)
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. See also: Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 7:38; Psalms 107:16.
תַּ֧חַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
כַּרְכֻּבּ֛/וֹ
karkôb
H3749
"ledge"
N-ms | Suff
This word refers to the edge or rim of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the top margin or border of an object.
Definition: edge, rim
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: compass. See also: Exodus 27:5; Exodus 38:4.
מִ/לְּ/מַ֖טָּה
maṭṭâh
H4295
"beneath"
Prep | Prep | Adv
This Hebrew word means something is located downward or below something else, often used to describe physical location or position. It appears in various forms, such as beneath or under. In the Bible, it is used to describe something as very low or under something else.
Definition: 1) downwards, below 1a) downwards 1b) under (of age) 1c) beneath
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: beneath, down(-ward), less, very low, under(-neath). See also: Exodus 26:24; 1 Chronicles 27:23; Proverbs 15:24.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
חֶצְיֽ/וֹ
chêtsîy
H2677
"half"
N-ms | Suff
This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.
Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.
Study Notes — Exodus 38:4
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Bronze Altar
2He made a horn at each of its four corners, so that the horns and altar were of one piece, and he overlaid the altar with bronze.
3He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans.
4He made a grate of bronze mesh for the altar under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom.
5At the four corners of the bronze grate he cast four rings as holders for the poles. 6And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.Exodus 38:4 Summary
The verse Exodus 38:4 describes the construction of a bronze grate for the altar, which was used to hold the wood and charcoal for the fire. This grate was an important part of the altar, as it allowed for airflow and helped the fire to burn. In simple terms, the grate represents a practical and necessary part of worship, much like the importance of prayer and sacrifice in our own lives (as seen in Psalm 51:17 and Hebrews 13:15). By studying this verse, we can learn about the importance of reverence and care in our worship, and how we can apply these principles to our own lives of faith, just as the Israelites did in Exodus 38:4 and the early church in Acts 2:42-47.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the bronze grate in Exodus 38:4?
The bronze grate was likely used for holding the wood and charcoal for the altar, as described in Exodus 38:1-7, and allowed for airflow to help the fire burn, similar to the concept of sacrificial fires in other parts of the Bible, such as Leviticus 1:7-9.
Why was the grate placed halfway up from the bottom of the altar?
The grate was placed halfway up to allow for the collection of ashes, as seen in Exodus 38:4, and to provide a surface for the priest to tend to the fire without having to reach all the way to the bottom, much like the practical designs found in Exodus 25:31-40.
What can we learn from the attention to detail in the construction of the altar?
The attention to detail in the construction of the altar, as seen in Exodus 38:4, teaches us about the importance of reverence and care in our worship and service to God, as emphasized in Exodus 20:24-25 and Hebrews 13:10-12.
How does the altar in Exodus 38:4 relate to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ?
The altar in Exodus 38:4 is a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as described in Hebrews 13:10-12, where Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice and the altar represents the place of sacrifice and atonement, much like the sacrifices described in Leviticus 1:1-7.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of the bronze grate evoke in my mind, and how can I apply its symbolism to my own life of faith?
- How can I, like the priest tending to the altar, prioritize the care and maintenance of my own spiritual life, as described in 2 Timothy 1:6 and 2 Peter 1:5-7?
- What are some ways I can practically apply the principles of reverence and attention to detail in my own worship and service to God, as seen in Exodus 38:4 and Psalm 95:6-7?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, prepare my heart and life to be a 'living sacrifice' to God, as described in Romans 12:1-2 and 2 Corinthians 5:14-15?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 38:4
[See comments on Exodus 38:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 38:4
And he made the horns thereof on the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 38:4
(1-9) This passage corresponds to Exodus 38:1-8 of Exodus 27 in all main particulars, but is somewhat differently worded. The order of the clauses in Exodus 38:4-5 is changed, and a distinct statement is made, which was not contained in the instructims, that the rings were “for places for the staves.”
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 38:4
1–7. (Exodus 27:1-8 a). The altar of burnt offering. In vv. 4, 5 there are some changes of order: Exodus 27:8 b is not repeated.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 38:4
THE ALTAR OF BURNT , Exodus 38:1-7. See notes on Exodus 27:1-7. THE LAVER, Exodus 38:8. See notes on Exodus 30:17-21. THE COURT OF THE , Exodus 38:9-20. See notes on Exodus 27:9-19.