from כָּבַר in the sense of covering (compare כְּבָרָה); a grate; grate.
Transliteration:makbêr
Pronunciation:mak-bare'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma מַכְבֵּר (makbêr, `{{H4345}}`) denotes a "grate" or "network." Its etymological root is כָּבַר (kābar), which carries the sense of "covering" or "interweaving." This derivation is crucial, as it points to the nature of the object as a structured, often perforated, covering. The comparison to כְּבָרָה (kəbārāh, `{{H3531}}`), meaning "sieve" or "sifter," further solidifies the understanding of מַכְבֵּר as an object with openings, designed to allow passage of some elements while retaining others, or to facilitate airflow. Its semantic range is quite narrow, referring specifically to a physical, manufactured item, likely metallic, used in a cultic context.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַכְבֵּר (makbêr, `{{H4345}}`) appears exclusively in the book of Exodus, specifically in the detailed instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Both occurrences are found in descriptions of the altar of burnt offering:
* [[Exodus 27:4]]: "And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners thereof." Here, the "grate" (מַכְבֵּר) is explicitly qualified by "network" (מִכְמָר, `{{H4364}}`), forming a compound phrase (מַכְבֵּר מִכְמָר) that emphasizes its woven or meshed construction. It is made of "brass" (bronze), indicating its durability and suitability for the intense heat of sacrificial fires.
* [[Exodus 38:4]]: "And he made for the altar a brazen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it." This verse describes the actual construction, reiterating the material and the compound term. The placement, "under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it," suggests it was an internal component of the altar, perhaps serving as a support for the fire, a means to collect ashes, or to facilitate air circulation for combustion.
In both contexts, מַכְבֵּר is an integral and specific component of the altar of burnt offering, highlighting the meticulous divine blueprint for the Tabernacle's sacred objects.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the root כָּבַר (kābar), which, beyond "covering," can also imply "interweaving" or "netting," aligning with the "network" aspect of the grate. The explicit comparison in the base definition to כְּבָרָה (kəbārāh, `{{H3531}}`), "sieve," is highly significant, reinforcing the idea of a perforated or meshed object.
Crucially, מַכְבֵּר almost always appears in conjunction with מִכְמָר (mikmār, `{{H4364}}`), which also means "net" or "network." This pairing (מַכְבֵּר מִכְמָר) functions as a hendiadys or a descriptive compound, emphasizing the intricate, open structure of the grate. Other related concepts include the materials used (bronze), the context of the Tabernacle and its altar, and the broader sacrificial system. The precise and detailed instructions for its construction connect it to the divine order and sanctity of worship.
### Theological Significance
While seemingly a mere functional object, the מַכְבֵּר (makbêr, `{{H4345}}`) holds theological significance within the meticulously designed Tabernacle. Its inclusion in the divine blueprint for the altar of burnt offering underscores God's absolute precision and demand for order in worship. The grate's probable function in managing the sacrificial fire and ashes speaks to the practicalities of maintaining a pure and efficient system of atonement. It ensured that the sacrifices were offered correctly and that the sacred space remained clean.
The bronze material, common for Tabernacle implements related to the altar and its courtyard, often symbolizes judgment and atonement, as well as strength and durability necessary for enduring the fire. The very existence of such a detailed instruction for a seemingly minor component highlights that no detail in God's worship is arbitrary; every element contributes to the efficacy and holiness of the sacrificial system, which was central to Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. It teaches that devotion to God involves careful adherence to His commands, even in the construction of sacred implements.
### Summary
The term מַכְבֵּר (makbêr, `{{H4345}}`) refers to a "grate" or "network," derived from a root suggesting covering or interweaving. Its sole biblical occurrences are in Exodus, where it describes a specific bronze component of the altar of burnt offering in the Tabernacle. Always appearing alongside מִכְמָר (mikmār, `{{H4364}}`), it denotes a perforated, meshed structure likely crucial for managing the sacrificial fire and ashes. Theologically, the divine instruction for this seemingly minor detail emphasizes God's meticulousness in worship, the importance of order and purity in sacred service, and the practical facilitation of the sacrificial system central to Israel's covenant with God.
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