Exodus 38:5
Exodus 38:5 in Multiple Translations
At the four corners of the bronze grate he cast four rings as holders for the poles.
And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.
And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grating of brass, to be places for the staves.
And four rings for the four angles of this network, to take the rods.
He cast four bronze rings for the four corners of the grate as holders for the poles.
And cast foure rings of brasse for the foure endes of the grate to put barres in.
and he casteth four rings for the four ends of the brazen grate — places for bars;
He cast four rings for the four corners of bronze grating, to be places for the poles.
And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staffs.
Casting four rings at the four ends of the net at the top, to put in bars to carry it.
They made bronze rings in which to put the poles for carrying the altar, and fastened one of them to each of the corners of the altar.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 38:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
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 38:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּצֹ֞ק
אַרְבַּ֧ע
טַבָּעֹ֛ת
בְּ/אַרְבַּ֥ע
הַ/קְּצָוֺ֖ת
לְ/מִכְבַּ֣ר
הַ/נְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
בָּתִּ֖ים
לַ/בַּדִּֽים
וַ/יִּצֹ֞ק
yâtsaq
H3332
to pour
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אַרְבַּ֧ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Adj
טַבָּעֹ֛ת
ṭabbaʻath
H2885
ring
N-fp
בְּ/אַרְבַּ֥ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Prep | Adj
הַ/קְּצָוֺ֖ת
qᵉtsâth
H7117
end
Art | N-fp
לְ/מִכְבַּ֣ר
makbêr
H4345
grate
Prep | N-ms
הַ/נְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
Art | N-fs
בָּתִּ֖ים
bayith
H1004
place
N-mp
לַ/בַּדִּֽים
bad
H905
alone
Prep | N-mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 38:5
וַ/יִּצֹ֞ק
yâtsaq
H3332
"to pour"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to pour something out, like liquid or metal, and can also imply making something firm or hard. It's used in books like Isaiah 44:3 and Jeremiah 10:14.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to cast 1a3) to flow 1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be poured 1c2) cast, molten (participle) 1c3) being firmly established (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: cast, cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 41:9.
אַרְבַּ֧ע
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.
טַבָּעֹ֛ת
ṭabbaʻath
H2885
"ring"
N-fp
A ring or signet is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be a symbol of authority or an ornament. It is used to describe a ring that is sunk into wax to seal something, and is often translated as ring or signet in the KJV. This word appears in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) ring, signet, signet ring 1a) signet ring (as symbol of authority) 1b) ring (as ornament)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: ring. See also: Genesis 41:42; Exodus 37:3; Isaiah 3:21.
בְּ/אַרְבַּ֥ע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Prep | 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.
הַ/קְּצָוֺ֖ת
qᵉtsâth
H7117
"end"
Art | N-fp
This word means the end of something, like a boundary or a limit. It can also refer to a part or portion of something. In the Bible, it is used to describe the end of things.
Definition: 1) end, part 1a) end 1a1) of corners, of earth 1b) from the end of 1c) at the end of Aramaic equivalent: qe.tsat (קְצָת "end" H7118)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: end, part, [idiom] some. See also: Exodus 37:8; Daniel 1:2; Daniel 1:18.
לְ/מִכְבַּ֣ר
makbêr
H4345
"grate"
Prep | N-ms
A grate or lattice-work, used to describe a barrier or partition, like a screen. It appears in the Bible as a physical object, not a metaphor.
Definition: grating, lattice-work
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: grate. See also: Exodus 27:4; Exodus 38:5; Exodus 39:39.
הַ/נְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
"bronze"
Art | 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.
בָּתִּ֖ים
bayith
H1004
"place"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
לַ/בַּדִּֽים
bad
H905
"alone"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word 'bad' can mean alone, apart, or a separate part of something, like a branch or a bar. It's used to describe something that's only or except for something else.
Definition: : pole 1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone 1a) separation, alone, by itself 1a1) only (adv) 1a2) apart from, besides (prep) 1b) part 1c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars
Usage: Occurs in 179 OT verses. KJV: alone, apart, bar, besides, branch, by self, of each alike, except, only, part, staff, strength. See also: Genesis 2:18; Judges 20:15; Psalms 51:6.
Study Notes — Exodus 38:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Bronze Altar
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.
5At the four corners of the bronze grate he cast four rings as holders for the poles.
6And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. 7Then he inserted the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar for carrying it. He made the altar with boards so that it was hollow.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 27:4 | Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh. |
Exodus 38:5 Summary
[The verse Exodus 38:5 describes the construction of the bronze grate for the altar, with four rings cast at its corners to hold the poles, allowing the altar to be carried. This design reflects the portability of the tabernacle and the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites, as seen in Exodus 25:14 and Numbers 4:4-5. The attention to detail in the altar's construction demonstrates God's desire for reverence and order in worship, as highlighted in Exodus 28:2 and Leviticus 10:1-3. By examining this verse, we can learn about the importance of obedience to God's instructions and the significance of the materials used in the altar's construction.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were the rings cast at the corners of the bronze grate in Exodus 38:5?
The rings were cast at the corners of the bronze grate to serve as holders for the poles, allowing the altar to be carried, as seen in Exodus 38:7, and this design is reminiscent of the portability of the tabernacle itself, as described in Exodus 25:14 and Numbers 4:4-5.
What material were the poles made of, according to the surrounding verses?
The poles were made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, as stated in Exodus 38:6, which adds to the durability and sacredness of the altar's construction.
How does the construction of the altar in Exodus 38 relate to the broader narrative of the tabernacle?
The detailed construction of the altar, including the bronze grate and poles, highlights the careful attention to God's instructions, as given in Exodus 25:9 and Exodus 40:16, demonstrating the Israelites' obedience and reverence for God's presence among them.
What can we learn from the specific design elements in Exodus 38:5 about God's character?
The precise design and materials used in the altar's construction, such as the bronze grate and acacia wood poles, reflect God's attention to detail and his desire for his people to approach him in a way that is both reverent and orderly, as seen in Exodus 28:2 and Leviticus 10:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- What does the attention to detail in the construction of the altar reveal about God's character and his relationship with his people?
- How does the portability of the altar, made possible by the rings and poles, reflect the nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites and God's presence among them?
- In what ways can we apply the principle of careful obedience to God's instructions, as seen in the construction of the altar, to our own lives and worship?
- What does the use of specific materials, such as bronze and acacia wood, signify in the context of the altar's construction and the broader narrative of the tabernacle?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 38:5
[See comments on Exodus 38:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 38:5
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 38:5
(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 38:5
1–7. (Exodus 27:1-8 a). The altar of burnt offering. In vv. 4, 5 there are some changes of order: Exodus 27:8 b is not repeated.
Whedon's Commentary on Exodus 38:5
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.