Exodus 38:3 — Word Study
WLCוַיַּ֜עַשׂ אֶֽת־ כָּל־ כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ אֶת־ הַסִּירֹ֤ת וְאֶת־ הַיָּעִים֙ וְאֶת־ הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת אֶת־ הַמִּזְלָגֹ֖ת וְאֶת־ הַמַּחְתֹּ֑ת כָּל־ כֵּלָ֖יו עָשָׂ֥ה נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃
BSAHe madeʻâsâh▸ [created, fashioned] allkôl the altar’smizbêach [place of sacrifice, worship] utensilskᵉlîy [articles, vessels] of bronzenᵉchôsheth [copper, a base metal] its potsçîyr [cauldrons, containers] shovelsyâʻ [tools for digging, lifting] sprinkling bowlsmizrâq [basins, vessels for tossing liquids] meat forksmazlêg [three-pronged forks, for turning sacrifices] and firepansmachtâh [censers, metal pans for holding live coals]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיַּ֜עַשׂ | and he made | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine singular |
| אֶֽת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| כָּל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| כְּלֵ֣י | [the] articles of | Noun common, masculine plural construct |
| הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ | the altar | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַסִּירֹ֤ת | the pots | Particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| הַיָּעִים֙ | the shovels | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת | the bowls | Particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| אֶת־ | the object marker | Particle |
| הַמִּזְלָגֹ֖ת | the forks | Particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| וְאֶת־ | and the object marker | Conjunction, particle |
| הַמַּחְתֹּ֑ת | the fire-pans | Particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| כָּל־ | all | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| כֵּלָ֖יו | articles its | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| עָשָׂ֥ה | he made | Verb, Qal, perfect third person masculine singular |
| נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃ | bronze | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. |
| KJV | And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass. |
| ASV | And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, the flesh-hooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass. |
| YLT | and he maketh all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the sprinkling-pans, the forks, and the fire-pans; all its vessels he hath made of brass. |
| WEB | He made all the vessels of the altar: the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its vessels of bronze. |
| BBE | And brass was used for all the vessels of the altar, the baskets and the spades, the basins and the meat-hooks and the fire-trays; all the vessels he made of brass |
Where they part company is כְּלֵי — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence is structured around a main verb with several noun phrases detailing the specific items made.
4 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Ellicott, Cambridge, Whedon & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָשָׂה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Exodus 38:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Utensils of the Altargenerated
Exodus 38:3 details the making of the altar's utensils, which are essential for the sacrificial practices in the tabernacle. This verse highlights the craftsmanship involved and the materials used, specifically bronze, which is significant in the context of worship and sacrifice. The preceding and following verses provide additional context about the altar's construction and its role in Israel's religious life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 27:3 | Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots for removing ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans. |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 2:13 | or for the custom of the priests with the people. When any man offered a sacrifice, the servant of the priest would come with a three-pronged meat fork while the meat was boiling |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 2 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — עָשָׂה, vai.Ya.'asgenerated
The verb עָשָׂה (asah) means to make or do, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It is a fundamental term in Hebrew, used over 2,600 times in the Bible, indicating its importance in various contexts, including creation and craftsmanship.
In this verse, it is used in the sequential imperfect form, indicating that the action was ongoing or completed in the past. This verb connects the act of making with the specific utensils of the altar, emphasizing the significance of these items in the sacrificial system.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb וַיַּ֜עַשׂ (vai.Ya.'as) governs the entire verse, indicating the action of making. The structure includes a series of noun phrases that specify what was made, namely the utensils of the altar.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the action of making first, followed by the specific items created, highlighting their importance in the sacrificial system.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates עָשָׂה as ἐποίησεν (epoiēsen), which also means 'made' but can carry a broader connotation of creating or forming. This choice aligns with the Hebrew meaning but may suggest a more interpretive translation.
The Greek term emphasizes the act of creation, which is consistent with the Hebrew understanding of making something significant for worship.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Exodus 38:3 describes how all the utensils for the altar were made of bronze. These included pots, shovels, bowls, forks, and firepans, which were essential for the sacrificial practices in the tabernacle.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The bronze utensils were essential for the sacrificial system, as they were used in the offerings made to God at the altar.
Bronze symbolizes strength and durability, making it suitable for the utensils that would be used in the rigorous activities of sacrifice.
Each utensil had a specific function in the sacrificial process, representing the meticulous nature of worship and the importance of each item in approaching God.
This verse illustrates the detailed instructions for worship in the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of proper materials and utensils in approaching God.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the use of bronze for the altar's utensils signify about the nature of worship?
- How can we apply the principle of careful preparation in our own acts of worship?
- What does the variety of utensils tell us about the complexity of sacrificial practices?
- In what ways can we ensure that our worship is conducted with the same attention to detail as described in this passage?
Commentators on this verse — 4 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Exodus 38:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd 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.
Read Robert Jamieson on Exodus 38 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) The pots.—Exodus 27 has “his pans”; but the word used in the original is the same. It designates probably the scuttles in which the ashes were placed for removal from the sanctuary. (See Note 1 on Exodus 27:3.)
Read Charles John Ellicott on Exodus 38 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges1–7. (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.
Read Cambridge on Exodus 38 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleTHE 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.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Exodus 38 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans.
He made all the vessels of the altar: the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its vessels of bronze.
He made all the altar’s utensils of bronze—its pots, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans.
He made all the utensils of the altar – the pots, the shovels, the tossing bowls, the meat hooks, and the fire pans – he made all its utensils of bronze.
Tyndale line
And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, and the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.
And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, the flesh-hooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.
And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basons, the fleshhooks, and the firepans: all the vessels thereof made he of brass.
And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the flesh-hooks, and the fire-pans: all the vessels of it he made of brass.
Also he made al the instruments of the altar: the ashpans, and the besoms, and the basins, the fleshhookes, and the censers: all the instruments thereof made he of brasse.
Strictly literal
And he made all the utensils of the altar: the pots, and the shovels, and the bowls, the forks, and the firepans; all its utensils made he of copper.
and he maketh all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the sprinkling-pans, the forks, and the fire-pans; all its vessels he hath made of brass.
and he makes all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the sprinkling-pans, the forks, and the fire-pans; he has made all its vessels of bronze.
And he made all the vessels of the altar, the pots, and the shovels, and the basins, and the forks, and the fire-pans: all its vessels made he of copper.
He made all the equipment for the altar—pots for ashes, shovels, basins, meat forks, and firepans. He made all this equipment with bronze.
From the Latin
And for the uses thereof, he prepared divers vessels of brass, cauldrons, tongs, fleshhooks, pothooks, and firepans.
Simplified
He made all its utensils: buckets for removing ashes, shovels, sprinkling bowls, meat forks, and firepans. He made all its utensils of bronze.
And brass was used for all the vessels of the altar, the baskets and the spades, the basins and the meat-hooks and the fire-trays; all the vessels he made of brass
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on many words, though the Samaritan Pentateuch differs in four terms: it uses סירות (sirot) for pots, מזרקות (mizrakot) for bowls, מזלגות (mazlegot) for forks, and מחתות (maḥtot) for fire holders, indicating variations in terminology but not in the overall meaning.
וַיַּ֜עַשׂ אֶֽת־ כָּל־ כְּלֵ֣י הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ אֶת־ הַסִּירֹ֤ת וְאֶת־ הַיָּעִים֙ וְאֶת־ הַמִּזְרָקֹ֔ת אֶת־ הַמִּזְלָגֹ֖ת וְאֶת־ הַמַּחְתֹּ֑ת כָּל־ כֵּלָ֖יו עָשָׂ֥ה נְחֹֽשֶׁת׃
11 of the 19 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
ויעשׂ את כל כלי המזבח את הסירות ואת היעים ואת המזרקות ואת המזלגות ואת המחתות כל כליו עשׂה נחשׁת
4 words differ from the Masoretic Text: סירות (pot), מזרקות (bowl), מזלגות (fork), מחתות (fire holder)
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Exodus 38:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
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
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: 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
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine singularHc/Vqw3ms
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
כְּלִי (kliy) refers to an article or utensil, encompassing a wide range of objects such as vessels, tools, and implements used for various purposes, including music and warfare. It is derived from a root meaning 'to prepare' and can denote anything from furniture to weapons. The entries highlight its general use in the Old Testament without significant disagreement among lexicons.
כְּלִי 324 n.m. article, utensil, vessel
base
H3627 כְּלִי article, utensil, vessel
3627 kliy kel-ee'
from 3615; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an
implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon):--armour
((-bearer)), artillery, bag, carriage, + furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel, that is made of, X one from another, that
which pertaineth, pot, + psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool,
vessel, ware, weapon, + whatsoever.
see HEBREW for 03615
כְּלִי (ke.li) — article/utensil.
1) article, vessel, implement, utensil
1a) article, object (general)
1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel
1b1) implement (of hunting or war)
1b2) implement (of music)
1b3) implement, tool (of labour)
1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen)
1b5) utensils, furniture
1c) vessel, receptacle (general)
1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural constructHNcmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) means 'altar' in Hebrew. It is derived from the root word meaning to slay or kill, indicating its use in sacrificial contexts. The term is consistently used throughout the Old Testament to refer to places of sacrifice and worship.
מִזְבֵּחַ 401 n.m. altar
base
H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ altar
4196 mizbeach miz-bay'-akh
from 2076; an altar:--altar.
see HEBREW for 02076
מִזְבֵּחַ (miz.be.ach) — altar.
altar
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
ol'-ter (mizbeach, literally, "place of slaughter or sacrifice," from zabhach, which is found in both senses; bomos, (only in Ac 17:23), thusiasterion):
I. CLASSIFICATION OF HEBREW ALTARS
Importance of the Distinction
II. LAY ALTARS
1. Pre-Mosaic
2. In the Mosaic Age
3. Dangers of the Custom
4. The Mosaic Provisions
III. HORNED ALTARS OF BURNT OFFERING
1. The Tabernacle Altar
2. The Altar of Jos 22
3. The Altar till Solomon
4. The Horned Altar in Use
5. The Temple of Solomon
6. The Altar of Ahaz
7. Ezekiel
8. The Post-exilic Altar
9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars
10. The Horns
IV. ALTARS OF INCENSE
V. RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS 1. A Gezer Altar
2. The Taanach Altar of Incense
LITERATURE
A. CRITICAL
I. Classification of Hebrew Altars.
Altar
(Heb. mizbe’ah, from a word meaning “to slay”), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (Gen. 22:9; Ezek. 6:3; 2 Kings 23:12; 16:4; 23:8; Acts 14:13). The word is used in Heb. 13:10 for the sacrifice offered upon it—the sacrifice Christ offered.
Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, “To the unknown God” (Acts 17:23), or rather “to an [i.e., some]…
The first altar of which we have any account is that built by Noah when he left the ark. (Genesis 8:20) In the early times altars were usually built in certain spots hallowed by religious associations, e.g., where God appeared. (Genesis 12:7; 13:18; 26:25; 35:1) Though generally erected for the offering of sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have been only memorials. (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 17:15,16) Altars were most probably originally made of earth. The law of Moses allowed them to be made of either earth or unhewn stones. (Exodus 20:24,25) I. The Altar of Burnt Offering . It differed in construction at…
A table-like structure, on which sacrifices and incense were offered, built of various materials, usually of stone, but sometimes of brass, etc. It is evident that sacrifices were offered long before the flood; but the first mention of an altar in Scripture is when Noah left the ark. Mention is made of altars reared by Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. The latter was commanded to build an altar of earth, Ex 20:24. If stone was employed, it must be rough and unhewn, probably lest the practice of sculpture should lead them to violate the second commandment. It was not to be furnished with steps, De 27:2-6.
The altars in the Jewish tabernacle, and in the temple at Jerusalem, were the following: 1. The altar of burnt offerings. 2. The altar of incense. 3. The table of showbread, for…
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
סִיר (sir) has meanings related to both cooking and nature, referring to a 'pot' or 'caldron' as well as a 'thorn' or 'hook.' It is derived from a root meaning to boil up, indicating its connection to cooking utensils. The word appears in contexts like Jeremiah 52:18, where it is used in reference to a pot.
סִיר n.m. et f. pot
base
[סִיר] n.[m.] thorn, hook
base
H5518a סִיר pot H5518b סִיר thorn, hook
5518 ciyr seer
or (feminine) ciyrah {see-raw'}; or cirah (Jeremiah 52:18)
{see-raw'}; from a primitive root meaning to boil up; a pot;
also a thorn (as springing up rapidly); by implication, a
hook:--caldron, fishhook, pan, ((wash-))pot, thorn.
סִיר (sir) — pot.
1) pot
1a) pot (household utensil)
1b) pot (of temple)
סִיר (sir) — thorn.
1) thorn, hook, brier
1a) thorns
1b) hooks
Art | N-cp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHTd/Ncfpa
Job 41:20, applied in Scripture to a great variety of domestic vessels, of earthenware, iron, brass, and gold, used for cooking and serving food, etc., Jud 6:19 2Ki 4:40 Ps 58:9 Ec 7:5 Heb 9:4. In Ps 68:13, "though ye have lain among the pots," the Hebrew word means originally cattle-folds; and in Ps 81:6, "his hands were delivered from the pots," it refers to the baskets used by the Hebrews in the hard service exacted of them in Egypt,
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
יָע (ya) refers to a shovel. It is a masculine noun derived from the root word associated with digging or moving earth. The entries consistently define it as a shovel, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
[יָע] n.[m.] shovel
base
H3257 [יָע] shovel
3257 ya` yaw
from 3261; a shovel:--shovel.
see HEBREW for 03261
יָע (ya) — shovel.
shovel
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
The Hebrew word מִזְרָק (*mizraq*) refers to a bowl or basin, specifically a vessel used for throwing or tossing liquids. It is derived from the root meaning to sprinkle. The entries consistently describe it as a bowl, with some emphasis on its use for wine or liquids.
מִזְרָק n.m. bowl, bason (prop. vessel for throwing or tossing a liquid)
base
H4219 מִזְרָק bowl, bason (prop. vessel for throwing or tossing a liquid)
4219 mizraq miz-rawk'
from 2236; a bowl (as if for sprinkling):--bason, bowl.
see HEBREW for 02236
מִזְרָק (miz.raq) — bowl.
1) bowl, basin
1a) bowl (for wine)
1b) basin (vessel for throwing or tossing a liquid)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHTd/Ncfpa
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HTo — ParticleHTo
מַזְלֵג (mazleg) refers to a fork, specifically a three-pronged fork that is associated with sacrificial practices. It has a feminine form, מִזְלָגָה (mizlagah), which carries the same meaning. The word is derived from an unused root meaning to draw up, indicating its function as a fleshhook or implement in sacrifices.
מַזְלֵג n.m. appar. a sacrificial implement, three-pronged fork
base
[מִזְלָגָה] n.[f.] id. [g.bj.ab]—a sacrificial implement
base
H4207a מַזְלֵג appar. a sacrificial implement, three-pronged fork H4207b מִזְלָגָה id. [4207a]—a sacrificial implement
4207 mazleg maz-layg'
or (feminine) mizlagah {miz-law-gaw'}; from an unused root
meaning to draw up; a fork:--fleshhook.
מַזְלֵג (maz.leg) — fork.
three-pronged fork
Another spelling of miz.la.gah (מִזְלָגָה "fork" H4207B)
מִזְלָגָה (miz.la.gah) — fork.
a sacrificial implement, three-pronged fork
Also means: maz.leg (מַזְלֵג "fork" H4207A)
Art | N-fp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHTd/Ncfpa
אֵת (eth) is primarily a grammatical marker in Hebrew, indicating the definite direct object of a verb. It is not translated into English and typically precedes nouns that are definite. The word is derived from a demonstrative sense of entity, related to the Hebrew word for 'self.' Its Aramaic equivalent is יָת (yat).
אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
base
H853 אֵת the mark of the accusative, prefixed as a rule only to nouns that are definite
853 'eth ayth
apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of
entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more
definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or
namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).
see HEBREW for 0226
אֵת (et) — [Obj.].
sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative
Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
HC/To — Conjunction · particleHC/To
מַחְתָּה (machtah) refers to a fire-holder, specifically a censer or snuff-dish used for holding live coals. The entries suggest it is associated with the act of removal, as indicated by its connection to another Hebrew word. It encompasses various forms like fire-pans and trays.
מַחְתָּה n.f. fire-holder, censer, snuff-dish
base
H4289 מַחְתָּה fire-holder, censer, snuff-dish
4289 machtah makh-taw'
the same as 4288 in the sense of removal; a pan for live
coals:--censer, firepan, snuffdish.
see HEBREW for 04288
מַחְתָּה (mach.tah) — censer.
1) fire-holder, censer, firepan, snuff dish, tray
1a) snuff-dish
1b) fire-pans
1c) censer
Art | N-fp — Particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHTd/Ncfpa
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any
(manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as
many as, (no-)thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole,
whoso(-ever).
see HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
HNcmsc — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
כְּלִי (kliy) refers to an article or utensil, encompassing a wide range of objects such as vessels, tools, and implements used for various purposes, including music and warfare. It is derived from a root meaning 'to prepare' and can denote anything from furniture to weapons. The entries highlight its general use in the Old Testament without significant disagreement among lexicons.
כְּלִי 324 n.m. article, utensil, vessel
base
H3627 כְּלִי article, utensil, vessel
3627 kliy kel-ee'
from 3615; something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an
implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon):--armour
((-bearer)), artillery, bag, carriage, + furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel, that is made of, X one from another, that
which pertaineth, pot, + psaltery, sack, stuff, thing, tool,
vessel, ware, weapon, + whatsoever.
see HEBREW for 03615
כְּלִי (ke.li) — article/utensil.
1) article, vessel, implement, utensil
1a) article, object (general)
1b) utensil, implement, apparatus, vessel
1b1) implement (of hunting or war)
1b2) implement (of music)
1b3) implement, tool (of labour)
1b4) equipment, yoke (of oxen)
1b5) utensils, furniture
1c) vessel, receptacle (general)
1d) vessels (boats) of paper-reed
HNcmpc/Sp3ms — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp3ms
עָשָׂה (asah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to do or make, encompassing a wide range of actions such as producing, preparing, and observing. It can refer to both concrete and abstract activities, including making offerings and attending to tasks. The verb also has forms indicating passive meanings, such as being made or offered. Notably, the Piel form refers to pressing or squeezing.
עָשָׂה 2622 vb. do, make
Qal 2524
do (1560 t.)
deal with
oft. in phr. do kindness with
abs. act, act with effect
make (670 t.)
produce, yield
prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
make offering
attend to, put in order
observe, celebrate, religious festival
acquire property of various kinds
appoint priests
bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
use
spend, pass, days of life
Niph.
97be done
be made, of concr. things
be produced from vine
be prepared, of food
be offered
be observed, passover
be used
Pu. I was made
base
[עָשָׂה] vb. Pi. press, squeeze
base
H6213a עָשָׂה do, make .. . do (1560 + t.)
. deal with
. oft. in phr. do kindness with
. abs. act, act with effect
. . make (670 + t.)
. produce, yield
. prepare, esp. of dressing and cooking food
. make offering
. attend to, put in order
. observe, celebrate, religious festival
. acquire property of various kinds
. appoint priests
. bring about of י׳’s effecting a deliverance
. use
. spend, pass, days of life
. . be done
. . be made, of concr. things
. be produced from vine
. be prepared, of food
. be offered
. be observed, passover
. be used
. I was made
H6213b עָשָׂה Pi. press, squeeze
6213 `asah aw-saw'
a primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and
widest application (as follows):--accomplish, advance,
appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth,
bruise, be busy, X certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal
(with), deck, + displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in)
execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast, (fight-)ing man, +
finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go
about, govern, grant, great, + hinder, hold ((a feast)), X
indeed, + be industrious, + journey, keep, labour, maintain,
make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, + officer, pare,
bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure,
provide, put, requite, X sacrifice, serve, set, shew, X sin,
spend, X surely, take, X thoroughly, trim, X very, + vex, be
(warr-)ior, work(-man), yield, use.
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make: do.
: do/perform
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
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to press.
(Piel) to press, squeeze
עָשָׂה (a.sah) — to make.
: 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
HVqp3ms — Verb · Qal · perfect third person masculine singularHVqp3ms
נְחֹ֫שֶׁת (nechosheth) refers to copper or bronze, often indicating items made from these metals, such as fetters. It is noted for being less valuable than gold but more than wood. Additionally, it can figuratively represent a harsh sky or, in specific contexts, suggest meanings related to lust or harlotry, as seen in Ezekiel 16:36.
נְחֹ֫שֶׁת 137 n.m. copper, bronze
copper
fetters of copper or bronze
as less in value than gold but more than wood
fig. of pitiless sky
base
[נְחֹ֫שֶׁת] n.[f.] Ez 16:36 where context favours mng. lust, harlotry, or specif. sens. obscoen.
ref
H5178a נְחֹ֫שֶׁת copper, bronze . copper
. fetters of copper or bronze
. as less in value than gold but more than wood
. fig. of pitiless sky
H5178b נְחֹ֫שֶׁת where context favours mng. lust, harlotry, or specif. sens. obscoen.
5178 nchosheth nekh-o'-sheth
for 5154; copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e.
coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or
silver):--brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass),
filthiness, steel.
see HEBREW for 05154
נְחֹ֫שֶׁת (ne.cho.shet) — bronze.
1) copper, bronze
1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy)
1b) fetters (of copper or bronze)
1c) copper (as value)
נְחֹ֫שֶׁת (ne.cho.shet) — lust.
lust, harlotry
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa