Exodus 38:2
Exodus 38:2 in Multiple Translations
He 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.
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.
And he made the horns thereof upon the four corners of it; the horns thereof were of one piece with it: and he overlaid it with brass.
And he put horns at its four angles made of the same, plating it all with brass;
He made horns for each of its corners, all one piece with the altar, and covered the whole altar with bronze.
And hee made vnto it hornes in the foure corners thereof: the hornes thereof were of the same, and he ouerlayd it with brasse.
and he maketh its horns on its four corners; its horns have been of the same; and he overlayeth it with brass;
He made its horns on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.
And he made its horns on the four corners of it; its horns were of the same: and he overlaid it with brass.
The horns whereof went out from the corners, and he overlaid it with plates of brass.
They made a projection that looked like a horn on each of the top corners. The projections were carved from the same block of wood that the altar was made of. They covered the whole altar with bronze.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 38:2
BAB
Word Study
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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 38:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֣עַשׂ
קַרְנֹתָ֗י/ו
עַ֚ל
אַרְבַּ֣ע
פִּנֹּתָ֔י/ו
מִמֶּ֖/נּוּ
הָי֣וּ
קַרְנֹתָ֑י/ו
וַ/יְצַ֥ף
אֹת֖/וֹ
נְחֹֽשֶׁת
וַ/יַּ֣עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
קַרְנֹתָ֗י/ו
qeren
H7161
horn
N-cp | Suff
עַ֚ל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
אַרְבַּ֣ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
פִּנֹּתָ֔י/ו
pinnâh
H6438
corner
N-fp | Suff
מִמֶּ֖/נּוּ
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
הָי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
קַרְנֹתָ֑י/ו
qeren
H7161
horn
N-cp | Suff
וַ/יְצַ֥ף
tsâphâh
H6823
to overlay
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
נְחֹֽשֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 38:2
וַ/יַּ֣עַשׂ
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.
קַרְנֹתָ֗י/ו
qeren
H7161
"horn"
N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a horn or a corner, and can also refer to power or a mountain peak. It's used to describe a place called Karnaim, which was conquered by Israel. The KJV translation uses phrases like 'hill' or 'horn' to convey the idea.
Definition: 1) horn 1a) horn 1b) of strength (fig) 1c) flask (container for oil) 1d) horn (as musical instrument) 1e) horn (of horn-like projections on the altar) 1f) of rays of light 1g) hill Aramaic equivalent: qe.ren (קֶ֫רֶן "horn" H7162)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] hill, horn. See also: Genesis 22:13; Psalms 75:5; Psalms 18:3.
עַ֚ל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
אַרְבַּ֣ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
פִּנֹּתָ֔י/ו
pinnâh
H6438
"corner"
N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a corner or an angle, like a pinnacle or a chief ruler. It's used in descriptions of buildings, cities, and leaders in the Bible, like in Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) corner 1a) corner (of square objects) 1b) corner (of ruler or chief-fig.) Also means: pen (פֵּן "Corner" H6434)
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: bulwark, chief, corner, stay, tower. See also: Exodus 27:2; Psalms 118:22; Proverbs 7:8.
מִמֶּ֖/נּוּ
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
הָי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
קַרְנֹתָ֑י/ו
qeren
H7161
"horn"
N-cp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means a horn or a corner, and can also refer to power or a mountain peak. It's used to describe a place called Karnaim, which was conquered by Israel. The KJV translation uses phrases like 'hill' or 'horn' to convey the idea.
Definition: 1) horn 1a) horn 1b) of strength (fig) 1c) flask (container for oil) 1d) horn (as musical instrument) 1e) horn (of horn-like projections on the altar) 1f) of rays of light 1g) hill Aramaic equivalent: qe.ren (קֶ֫רֶן "horn" H7162)
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] hill, horn. See also: Genesis 22:13; Psalms 75:5; Psalms 18:3.
וַ/יְצַ֥ף
tsâphâh
H6823
"to overlay"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
Tsaphah can also mean to overlay or cover something, often with metal. It involves laying something over another material, like plating or coating.
Definition: 1) to lay out, lay over, overlay, cover 1a) (Piel) to overlay, plate, stud 1b) (Pual) to be laid over
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: cover, overlay. See also: Exodus 25:11; Exodus 38:2; Proverbs 26:23.
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
נְחֹֽשֶׁת
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.
Study Notes — Exodus 38:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Bronze Altar
1Bezalel constructed the altar of burnt offering from acacia wood. It was square, five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high.
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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 27:2 | Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze. |
| 2 | Job 6:12 | Is my strength like that of stone, or my flesh made of bronze? |
Exodus 38:2 Summary
[This verse tells us about the altar of burnt offering, which was a special table where the Israelites would offer sacrifices to God. The altar had horns on each corner, which were made of one piece with the altar, and it was overlaid with bronze to represent God's judgment and purification. This reminds us of the importance of being surrendered to God and trusting in His power and strength, as seen in Romans 12:1 and Hebrews 13:10-12. Just like the horns and altar were one piece, we can be one with God through our faith in Jesus Christ.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of the horns on the altar of burnt offering?
The horns on the altar of burnt offering, as seen in Exodus 38:2, symbolized the power and strength of God, and they also served as a reminder of the sacrifices that were made for the people's sins, as mentioned in Exodus 29:12 and Leviticus 4:7.
Why was the altar of burnt offering overlaid with bronze?
The altar was overlaid with bronze, as stated in Exodus 38:2, to represent the judgment and purification of God, and to signify the importance of the sacrifices that were made on it, as seen in Exodus 27:2 and Numbers 16:38.
What can we learn from the fact that the horns and altar were made of one piece?
The fact that the horns and altar were made of one piece, as described in Exodus 38:2, teaches us about the unity and completeness of God's plan for our salvation, and it reminds us of the importance of being completely surrendered to God, as mentioned in Romans 12:1 and 2 Corinthians 5:15.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?
Exodus 38:2 is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant with the Israelites, and it points forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as described in Hebrews 13:10-12 and 1 Corinthians 10:18, which fulfills the symbolism of the altar of burnt offering.
Reflection Questions
- What does the image of the horns on the altar of burnt offering evoke in my heart, and how can I apply its symbolism to my own life?
- In what ways can I surrender myself completely to God, just like the horns and altar were made of one piece?
- How can I balance the idea of God's judgment and purification with His love and mercy, as represented by the bronze overlay on the altar?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to be reminded of the power and strength of God, and how can I apply the symbolism of the horns to those areas?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 38:2
[See comments on Exodus 38:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 38:2
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 38:2
(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 38:2
2. overlaid it with bronze] According to Numbers 16:38-39 (where ‘a covering’ is properly ‘an overlaying,’ as here), this was not done till a later time.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 38:2
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.