Exodus 39:39

KJV

The brasen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,

KJV (with Strong's)

The brasen {H5178} altar {H4196}, and his grate {H4345} of brass {H5178}, his staves {H905}, and all his vessels {H3627}, the laver {H3595} and his foot {H3653},

Complete Jewish Bible

the bronze altar with its bronze grate, poles and all its utensils; the basin with its base;

Berean Standard Bible

the bronze altar with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils; the basin with its stand;

American Standard Version

the brazen altar, and its grating of brass, its staves, and all its vessels, the laver and its base;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 39:39 details the meticulous completion of essential components of the Tabernacle's Outer Court: the brazen altar with its grate, staves, and vessels, and the laver with its foot. This verse is part of the concluding section of Exodus, which highlights the Israelites' faithful and precise adherence to God's divine blueprint for the sanctuary. These items were crucial for the sacrificial system and priestly purification, underscoring the themes of atonement, holiness, and the preparation for God's dwelling among His people in the wilderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Exodus 39:39 is situated within the final section of the book of Exodus, specifically chapters 35-40, which describe the construction and erection of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. This section serves as the fulfillment of the detailed divine commands given earlier in chapters [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - God's Instructions for the Tabernacle"). While earlier chapters outlined God's precise instructions to Moses on Mount Sinai, chapters 35-39 meticulously recount how the skilled craftsmen, led by Bezaleel and Aholiab, executed every command without deviation. Verse 39, following the completion of the priestly garments, focuses on the final pieces of the Outer Court, setting the stage for the Tabernacle's assembly and anointing in [Exodus 40](/exodus/40 "Exodus 40 - The Erection of the Tabernacle"). This literary progression from divine command to human obedience underscores the absolute importance of following God's blueprint for worship and life.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Tabernacle occurred during Israel's forty-year sojourn in the Sinai wilderness, a period of profound theological and national formation. As a nomadic people, the Israelites required a portable sanctuary that could accompany them, symbolizing God's presence in their midst. The concept of a deity dwelling among His people was not unique to Israel in the ancient Near East, but the *nature* of Yahweh's dwelling and the *holiness* required for His presence were distinct. The materials, craftsmanship, and functions of the Tabernacle items, including the brazen altar and laver, were consistent with the best available technology and artistic skill of the time, often employing Egyptian techniques and materials. The meticulous detail in the instructions and their execution reflects the seriousness with which Israel was to approach their holy God, establishing a cultic system that prefigured future divine revelations and provided a tangible means for a sinful people to interact with a holy God. The items listed in [Exodus 39:39](/exodus/39-39 "Exodus 39:39 - Tabernacle Outer Court Items") were fundamental to the daily rituals of atonement and purification, essential for maintaining the covenant relationship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Brasen (נְחֹשֶׁת, _n'choshet_):** This Hebrew term refers to bronze or copper, an alloy of copper and tin, which was a common and durable metal in the ancient world. Its use for the altar and laver in the Outer Court is significant. Bronze was less precious than the gold and silver used for items within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place, symbolically indicating a progression from the more common, accessible elements of worship to the increasingly sacred and exclusive inner sanctuary. The durability of bronze also made it suitable for items exposed to fire and constant use, emphasizing the enduring nature of the sacrificial and cleansing rituals.
* **Altar (מִזְבֵּחַ, _mizbeakh_):** Derived from a root meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice," the _mizbeakh_ was the central place for offerings. In this context, it refers specifically to the Altar of Burnt Offering, located just inside the Tabernacle entrance. This was where animal sacrifices were made, symbolizing the necessity of shedding blood for the atonement of sins. Its presence as a completed item in this verse underscores its foundational role in Israel's worship system, highlighting the constant need for reconciliation with a holy God.
* **Laver (כִּיּוֹר, _kiyyor_):** This word denotes a basin or large bowl. The laver was positioned between the brazen altar and the entrance to the Holy Place. Its purpose, as detailed in [Exodus 30:18-21](/exodus/30-18 "Exodus 30:18 - Instructions for the Laver"), was for the priests to wash their hands and feet before ministering. This act of washing was a ceremonial purification, symbolizing the required holiness and cleanliness for those who would serve in God's presence. The "foot" refers to its stand, ensuring its stability and proper height for use.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The brasen altar":** This refers to the Altar of Burnt Offering, the primary site for sacrifices in the Tabernacle's Outer Court. Its completion signifies the readiness of the means for atonement for the sins of the people and the priests. It was the first point of contact for an Israelite approaching God, symbolizing that access to God was predicated on sacrifice.
* **"and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels":** These are the essential accessories for the brazen altar. The "grate of brass" was a network of bronze that held the burning sacrifices, allowing ashes to fall through. The "staves" were poles inserted into rings on the altar's sides, enabling it to be carried during the Israelites' wilderness journeys, emphasizing the Tabernacle's portability. "All his vessels" refers to the various utensils used in the sacrificial rituals, such as pans for ashes, shovels, basins for blood, and flesh hooks, all crafted from bronze, ensuring every detail for the sacrificial system was complete.
* **"the laver and his foot":** The laver was a large bronze basin filled with water, positioned between the altar and the Holy Place. Its "foot" was its stand. This item was crucial for the ritual purification of the priests, who were required to wash their hands and feet before entering the Holy Place or ministering at the altar. This act underscored the absolute necessity of ceremonial and spiritual cleansing for those who would serve in the presence of a holy God, representing the purity required for divine service.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 39:39, though a concise enumeration, employs several subtle but significant literary devices. **Merism** is evident in the listing of specific components (altar, grate, staves, vessels, laver, foot) to represent the complete set of items for the Tabernacle's Outer Court. This detailed cataloging emphasizes the exhaustive and precise fulfillment of God's instructions. The **repetition** of "brass" or "brazen" throughout the verse and surrounding passages (e.g., [Exodus 38:2](/exodus/38-2 "Exodus 38:2 - Bronze Horns of the Altar")) serves to highlight the material's significance, not only for its practical durability but also for its symbolic contrast with the more precious metals used in the inner sanctuary, subtly indicating a progression in holiness. **Symbolism** is paramount, as each item carries profound theological weight: the altar symbolizes atonement and the necessity of sacrifice, while the laver symbolizes purification and the need for holiness to approach God. The very act of listing these completed items, after chapters of divine command, functions as a powerful literary device of **affirmation** and **completion**, signaling that God's detailed blueprint has been perfectly executed, preparing the way for His promised dwelling among His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Exodus 39:39, by listing the completed brazen altar and laver, powerfully encapsulates core theological themes of the Old Covenant. It underscores the divine insistence on a specific, divinely ordained means of approaching God, emphasizing both atonement for sin and purification for service. The meticulous adherence to God's "blueprint" for these items highlights the principle of obedience as fundamental to true worship. These physical objects were not merely functional; they were tangible representations of spiritual realities: the constant need for blood sacrifice to cover sin and the absolute necessity of ceremonial and moral purity for those who would draw near to a holy God. Their readiness signified the imminent establishment of God's dwelling place among Israel, confirming His faithfulness to His covenant promises and providing a structured system for maintaining fellowship with Him.

* [Exodus 27:1](/exodus/27-1 "Exodus 27:1 - Instructions for the Brazen Altar")
* [Exodus 30:18](/exodus/30-18 "Exodus 30:18 - Instructions for the Laver")
* [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Necessity of Blood for Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed construction of the Tabernacle, culminating in verses like Exodus 39:39, serves as a powerful reminder of God's meticulous nature and His demand for holiness in approaching Him. While the physical Tabernacle no longer stands, its principles endure. The brazen altar points us to the foundational truth that sin requires a blood sacrifice for atonement—a truth ultimately fulfilled in Christ. The laver reminds us that before we can serve or worship, we must be cleansed and purified. For believers today, this purification comes not through ritual washing but through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and the sanctifying power of God's Word. Our worship should always be marked by reverence, recognizing the holiness of God and the profound cost of our access to Him. We are called to live lives of purity and obedience, reflecting the same meticulous care the Israelites showed in building God's dwelling place.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail in building the Tabernacle, as seen in Exodus 39:39, inform our approach to worship and obedience today?**
* **In what ways do the concepts of atonement (symbolized by the altar) and purification (symbolized by the laver) remain essential for our spiritual lives as believers in Christ?**
* **Considering the Tabernacle's purpose as God's dwelling place, how can we ensure our "worship and service" are approached with the reverence and holiness that these ancient elements symbolized?**

### FAQ
**Why was brass (bronze) used for these specific items in the Tabernacle's Outer Court?**

Answer: Bronze was chosen for its durability and resistance to heat, making it ideal for the altar of burnt offering and its associated vessels, which would be exposed to fire. It was also a common and readily available metal in the ancient world. Symbolically, the use of bronze for the Outer Court items contrasted with the more precious gold and silver used for elements within the Holy Place and Most Holy Place. This distinction subtly conveyed a progression from the common or accessible to the increasingly sacred and exclusive, emphasizing the holiness of God's inner sanctuary.

**What was the primary function and theological significance of the brazen altar?**

Answer: The brazen altar, also known as the Altar of Burnt Offering, was the central place in the Tabernacle's Outer Court where animal sacrifices were made daily. Its primary function was to provide a means for the atonement of sins, both for the priests and for the people of Israel. Theologically, it underscored the absolute necessity of blood sacrifice for forgiveness, symbolizing that sin incurs a penalty that only a substitute's death can pay. It was the first point of access for any Israelite approaching God, signifying that reconciliation with a holy God was only possible through a divinely appointed sacrifice.

**What was the significance of the laver and its "foot" in the Tabernacle's design?**

Answer: The laver was a large bronze basin positioned between the brazen altar and the entrance to the Holy Place. Its significance lay in its purpose for the ritual washing of the priests' hands and feet before they ministered at the altar or entered the Holy Place. This act of washing symbolized the required purification and holiness for those serving God. It was a constant reminder that only those who were ceremonially clean could approach and serve in the presence of a holy God. The "foot" simply refers to the stand upon which the basin rested, ensuring its stability and proper elevation for priestly use, highlighting the practical and precise nature of all Tabernacle elements.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 39:39, with its focus on the brazen altar and the laver, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The brazen altar, where sacrifices were perpetually offered for the atonement of sins, perfectly foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of [Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose blood provides complete and eternal forgiveness for sin ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")). He is our perfect sacrifice, rendering all subsequent animal sacrifices obsolete. Similarly, the laver, which required priests to wash for purification before ministering, points to Christ as the source of our spiritual cleansing. We are not purified by ritual washings but by the "washing of regeneration" through the Holy Spirit and the cleansing power of God's Word, which Christ uses to sanctify His church ([Ephesians 5:26](/ephesians/5-26 "Ephesians 5:26 - Christ Cleansing the Church"); [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")). Through Christ, the need for a physical altar and laver is superseded, as He has opened a new and living way for us to boldly approach the [throne of grace](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace") with hearts cleansed by His blood and lives purified by His Spirit, allowing us to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and service.

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.