Exodus 38:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, extending halfway down.

NIV: They made a grating for the altar, a bronze network, to be under its ledge, halfway up the altar.

NASB: And he made for the altar a grating of bronze netting beneath, under its ledge, reaching halfway up.

CSB: He constructed for the altar a grate of bronze mesh under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom.

NLT: Next he made a bronze grating and installed it halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge.

KJV: And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

NKJV: And he made a grate of bronze network for the altar, under its rim, midway from the bottom.

Exodus 38:1–7 refers to Bezalel (Exodus 35:30) following God's design for an altar of burnt sacrifice. This closely repeats the instructions of Exodus 27:1–8. The altar will stand in the tabernacle courtyard (Exodus 27:9). The Lord gave these instructions to Moses (Exodus 25—31), who passes them along to the Israelites. The same pattern is followed for a basin used in ceremonial washing (Exodus 30:17–21), though the details are not repeated here.

God's assigned manager, Bezalel, oversees construction of more items for the Lord's sanctuary (Exodus 25:8–9). This chapter focuses on the components seen in the tabernacle courtyard, including the sacrificial altar and a washbasin. Scripture also records the quantity of metal donated to tabernacle construction. The total is several tons of silver, gold, and bronze.

Under the supervision of Bezalel (Exodus 35:30), Israel has followed God's exact plans for constructing the sanctuary. The Lord gave designs to Moses (Exodus 25—31). Most of the text in this long section is a near-duplication of those same words (Exodus 35—37). This emphasizes the care which Israel used to obey the Lord in this project. Final items are made in the next chapter (Exodus 39) before being assembled into the finished sanctuary (Exodus 40).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.

Accessed 9/15/2025 12:19:56 PM