Exodus 27:4

And thou shalt make for it a grate of network [of] brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.

And thou shalt make {H6213} for it a grate {H4345} of network {H4639} of brass {H5178}; and upon the net {H7568} shalt thou make {H6213} four {H702} brasen {H5178} rings {H2885} in the four {H702} corners {H7098} thereof.

Make for it a grate of bronze netting; and on the four corners of the netting, make four bronze rings.

Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh.

And thou shalt make for it a grating of network of brass: and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof.

Commentary

Exodus 27:4 describes a specific component of the Altar of Burnt Offering, a central piece of furniture in the ancient Israelite Tabernacle. This verse details the construction of a crucial part of the altar: a brass grate with rings for portability.

Context

The Altar of Burnt Offering, described in Exodus 27:1-8, stood prominently in the outer courtyard of the Tabernacle. It was the primary place where animal sacrifices were offered to God as a means of atonement for sins and an act of worship. The meticulous instructions for its construction, like those for the entire Tabernacle, underscore God's demand for precision and holiness in worship. The grate mentioned here was essential for the altar's function, likely supporting the sacrificial offerings and allowing air circulation for the fire.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Obedience: The detailed specifications for the grate and rings highlight God's meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle's construction. This emphasizes the importance of obedience to divine commands in worship and service.
  • Symbolism of Brass/Bronze: The consistent use of brass (or bronze) throughout the altar's construction (including the grate and rings) is highly symbolic. In biblical contexts, brass often signifies judgment, endurance, and purification through fire. This material choice points to the seriousness of sin and the fiery judgment it incurs, which was symbolically borne by the sacrificial animal.
  • Functionality for Sacrifice: The "grate of network" served a practical purpose, allowing air to circulate around the offerings, ensuring a continuous and complete burning. It also likely helped in collecting ashes beneath, maintaining the altar's cleanliness and operational efficiency.
  • Portability: The "four brasen rings in the four corners thereof" were vital for attaching poles, enabling the priests to carry the altar during the Israelites' wilderness journeys. This portability signified God's presence accompanying His people wherever they went, and the continuous need for atonement and worship.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "grate of network" translates from the Hebrew word mikbar (ืžึดื›ึฐื‘ึผึธืจ), which specifically refers to a mesh, grid, or grating. This term accurately describes the open, lattice-like structure designed to facilitate combustion and drainage.

The material, "brass" (KJV), is derived from the Hebrew nechosheth (ื ึฐื—ึนืฉืึถืช), which is more accurately rendered as 'bronze' in modern translations. Bronze was a common metal in the ancient Near East, known for its strength and durability. Its symbolic association with judgment is seen in other biblical accounts, such as the brazen serpent in Numbers 21:9, which God commanded Moses to make for healing those bitten by fiery serpents.

Practical Application

Exodus 27:4, though detailing an ancient artifact, carries timeless spiritual lessons. It reminds us that God is a God of order and intention; even the smallest details in His plans have significance. The Altar of Burnt Offering, with its brass grate, foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Just as the altar bore the judgment symbolized by brass for the sins of the people, so Christ bore the full judgment for our sins on the cross, making a perfect and final atonement. This verse encourages us to approach God with reverence, understanding the gravity of sin and the immense cost of our redemption through Christ's sacrifice.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Exodus 38:4

    And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

  • Exodus 38:5

    And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, [to be] places for the staves.

  • Exodus 25:12

    And thou shalt cast four rings of gold for it, and put [them] in the four corners thereof; and two rings [shall be] in the one side of it, and two rings in the other side of it.

  • Exodus 35:16

    The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
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