Exodus 27:5

KJV

And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

KJV (with Strong's)

And thou shalt put {H5414} it under the compass {H3749} of the altar {H4196} beneath {H4295}, that the net {H7568} may be even to {H5704} the midst {H2677} of the altar {H4196}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Put it under the rim of the altar, so that the netting reaches halfway up the altar.

Berean Standard Bible

Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.

American Standard Version

And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 27:5 provides a meticulous divine instruction for the precise placement of the bronze grating within the Altar of Burnt Offering. This verse specifies that the grating, a crucial component for supporting sacrifices and allowing for the collection of ashes, was to be positioned beneath an internal rim, extending exactly to the midpoint of the altar's height. This detailed directive underscores God's demand for absolute precision, holiness, and functional perfection in the Tabernacle's construction, highlighting the sacred order required for Israelite worship and the profound significance of every element within the divinely ordained sacrificial system.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 27:5 is situated within a comprehensive block of divine instructions, [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Blueprints and Instructions"), where the Lord meticulously dictates the design and construction of the Tabernacle and its sacred furnishings to Moses. Specifically, this verse elaborates on the [Altar of Burnt Offering](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - Description of the Altar of Burnt Offering"), whose general specifications are introduced in [Exodus 27:1-3](/exodus/27-1-3 "Exodus 27:1-3 - Altar Construction Details"). Following the description of the altar's dimensions and materials, [Exodus 27:4](/exodus/27-4 "Exodus 27:4 - The Bronze Grating") introduces the "grating of network of brass," and verse 5 then precisely details its internal placement. This progression from the general to the highly specific demonstrates the exhaustive nature of God's architectural blueprint, leaving no aspect of the sacred space to human conjecture or improvisation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The instructions for the Tabernacle were given to the Israelites shortly after their miraculous exodus from Egypt and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai. As a nomadic people, the Tabernacle served as God's portable dwelling place, symbolizing His immediate presence among them and providing a central, divinely appointed location for worship, sacrifice, and atonement. The Altar of Burnt Offering was the primary interface for the common Israelite with the sacrificial system, where animal offerings were made to atone for sin, as meticulously prescribed in [Leviticus 1](/leviticus/1 "Leviticus 1 - Laws of Burnt Offerings"). While altars were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, the Israelite altar was distinct in its divine origin and purpose. The meticulous instructions, down to the internal grating's exact placement in [Exodus 27:5](/exodus/27-5 "Exodus 27:5 - Placement of the Altar Grating"), ensured that the Tabernacle was not a human invention but a divinely ordained sanctuary, set apart from pagan practices and emphasizing the absolute holiness of God and the seriousness of approaching Him.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within Exodus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Precision and Order**, evident in God's exhaustive and uncompromising architectural directives for the Tabernacle, reflecting His own orderly and holy character. The instructions emphasize **Holiness and Separation**, as every detail of the Tabernacle, including the altar, was designed to facilitate a consecrated approach to a holy God, distinct from common or profane spaces. Furthermore, the altar itself is central to the theme of **Atonement and Reconciliation**, providing the means for sinful humanity to find forgiveness and fellowship with God through prescribed sacrifices. The meticulous design, including the grating's placement, ensured the altar's functional efficacy for this vital purpose, underscoring the seriousness and specificity of God's provision for dealing with sin.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **put (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This primitive root is remarkably versatile, meaning "to give," but used with a wide latitude of application, including "to place," "to set," or "to appoint." In this context, it signifies the deliberate and authoritative act of positioning the grating. The divine command to "put" it in a specific place underscores the intentionality and non-negotiable nature of God's instructions for the Tabernacle's construction, leaving no room for human discretion in its assembly.
* **compass (Hebrew, _karkôb'_):** This term refers to a rim, ledge, or top margin, specifically a structural projection or shelf within the altar. It denotes an integral part of the altar's internal framework designed to support or suspend the bronze grating. The mention of the "compass" highlights the intricate design of the altar, where one component was precisely fitted in relation to another to ensure the overall structural integrity and functional efficiency of the sacred apparatus.
* **midst (Hebrew, _chêtsîy'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to divide" or "to halve," this word precisely indicates the exact middle or half. In the context of the altar, it specifies the vertical placement of the grating at precisely half the total height of the altar. This precise measurement was not arbitrary but crucial for the optimal operation of the altar, ensuring proper ventilation for complete combustion of sacrifices and efficient collection of ashes, thereby maintaining the ritual purity and functional effectiveness of the sacrificial process.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath":** This phrase conveys a direct command to Moses, instructing the placement of the bronze grating (the "net" mentioned in [Exodus 27:4](/exodus/27-4 "Exodus 27:4 - The Bronze Grating")) within the altar's structure. "Under the compass" indicates that the grating was to be suspended from or rest upon an internal ledge or rim, positioned below the altar's upper edge. The word "beneath" further emphasizes its lower, internal positioning within the altar's hollow framework, ensuring it was not visible from the top but served its function internally.
* **"that the net may be even to the midst of the altar":** This clause specifies the exact vertical dimension for the grating's installation. The "net," or bronze grating, was to be positioned precisely at the halfway point of the altar's total height. This meticulous detail underscores God's demand for absolute precision in the Tabernacle's construction, ensuring that every component was perfectly aligned and functioned optimally according to His divine design for the sacrificial system, facilitating the proper burning of offerings and management of ashes.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in Exodus 27:5, characteristic of the entire Tabernacle blueprint, is **Architectural Exactitude** or **Divine Precision**. The highly prescriptive and technical language, detailing the precise placement of an internal component ("under the compass... even to the midst"), emphasizes God's meticulous attention to every minute detail. This is not merely a construction manual but a theological declaration: God is a God of perfect order, absolute holiness, and intentional design. The **Repetition** of specific measurements, materials, and placement instructions throughout [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Blueprints and Instructions") reinforces this theme, underscoring the non-negotiable nature of divine revelation. Furthermore, the altar itself functions as profound **Symbolism**, representing the divinely appointed place of atonement and reconciliation between a holy God and sinful humanity. The exactness of its construction, down to the grating's precise placement, symbolizes the absolute necessity of adhering to God's prescribed way for worship and salvation, foreshadowing the perfect and precise sacrifice of Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 27:5, despite its technical nature, profoundly illustrates God's character as a God of order, holiness, and intentionality. The meticulous instructions for the Tabernacle, down to the precise placement of an internal grating, reveal that every detail of worship and atonement is divinely ordained and significant. This precision underscores the gravity of sin and the necessity of approaching a holy God on His terms, not human ones. It also highlights the functional perfection required for the sacrificial system to operate effectively, pointing to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice to come, which would perfectly fulfill all these types and shadows.

* [Exodus 25:9](/exodus/25-9 "Exodus 25:9 - Pattern of the Tabernacle")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Atonement")
* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order in Worship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly minute detail of Exodus 27:5 invites us to ponder the profound implications of God's meticulous nature. If the Creator of the universe cares so deeply about the exact positioning of a bronze grating within an altar, how much more does He care about the details of our lives, our worship, and our obedience? This verse challenges us to move beyond superficial engagement with God, encouraging a deeper reverence and intentionality in all aspects of our faith. It reminds us that true worship is not about human preference or convenience, but about conforming to God's revealed will and design. Just as the altar was perfectly constructed for its sacred purpose, so too are we called to live lives of intentional holiness, recognizing that God's design for us is precise and purposeful, leading to effective service and genuine communion with Him. This level of divine care should inspire both awe and a diligent pursuit of His perfect will in our daily walk.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does God's attention to such minute details in the Tabernacle's construction reveal about His character and His expectations for our worship today?**
* **How does the principle of divine precision in Exodus 27:5 challenge our own approach to obedience and intentionality in our spiritual lives?**
* **In what ways might we be tempted to overlook or disregard "small" details in our faith or service, and what might be the consequences of such neglect?**

### FAQ
**Why was the bronze grating placed precisely in the middle of the altar?**

Answer: The precise placement of the bronze grating "even to the midst of the altar" ([Exodus 27:5](/exodus/27-5 "Exodus 27:5 - Placement of the Altar Grating")) served several crucial practical and symbolic purposes. Practically, positioning it at the midpoint ensured optimal airflow around the sacrificial offerings, facilitating their complete and efficient combustion and preventing them from being smothered. This was essential for the continuous and proper functioning of the sacrificial system. It also allowed ashes and other remnants to fall through to a collection point below, keeping the primary burning surface clear. Symbolically, this exactitude underscored the divine origin and perfect design of the Tabernacle. Every detail was divinely ordained, emphasizing the holiness of the sacred space and the seriousness of the atonement process conducted there. It reflected God's desire for order, perfection, and adherence to His specific will in all matters pertaining to His worship.

**What was the purpose of the "compass" or ledge mentioned in the verse?**

Answer: The "compass" (Hebrew: _karkôb'_) refers to an internal ledge or rim within the altar's structure. Its primary purpose was to provide a stable support system for the bronze grating, allowing it to be suspended or rest securely at the specified height. [Exodus 27:5](/exodus/27-5 "Exodus 27:5 - Placement of the Altar Grating") indicates that the grating was to be placed "under the compass," meaning it was to be situated beneath this internal ledge. This structural element was crucial for maintaining the grating's precise position, ensuring the proper ventilation and burning of the sacrifices, and facilitating the collection of ashes below. All these functions were vital for the altar's continuous and ritually correct operation within the Israelite sacrificial system, highlighting the interconnectedness of all its divinely designed components.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 27:5, with its precise instruction for the Altar of Burnt Offering, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The altar, where animal sacrifices were meticulously prepared and consumed by fire for atonement, served as a powerful **type** of Christ's singular, perfect, and all-sufficient sacrifice. Just as the bronze grating was precisely positioned to ensure the effective burning of offerings for atonement, so too was Christ's sacrifice on the cross perfectly ordained and executed according to God's divine plan. His death was not a random event but a meticulously prepared act of redemption, the ultimate [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The exactness of the altar's construction foreshadowed the absolute perfection and efficacy of Christ's atonement, which needed no repetition ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). Through His blood, shed once for all, we now have [bold access to the Father](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19 - Confidence to Enter the Most Holy Place"), fulfilling the purpose that the physical altar could only symbolize. The meticulous details of the Old Covenant altar point to the flawless and complete work of our High Priest, Jesus, who offered Himself as the [perfect sacrifice](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice") for our sins, providing eternal redemption.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.