Exodus 38:4
And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
And he made
H6213
וַיַּ֤עַשׂ
And he made
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
1 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה
H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֖ה
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
4 of 11
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
a brasen
H5178
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
a brasen
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
6 of 11
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
תַּ֧חַת
H8478
תַּ֧חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
7 of 11
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
מִלְּמַ֖טָּה
thereof beneath
H4295
מִלְּמַ֖טָּה
thereof beneath
Strong's:
H4295
Word #:
9 of 11
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
Historical Context
The bronze grating sat approximately halfway up the altar (v. 4), forming a ledge where priests stood to service the offerings. The network design allowed ashes to fall through while supporting the burning sacrifice above. This engineering enabled continuous operation of the altar.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the carefully engineered grating teach about God's judgment being ordered justice rather than chaotic wrath?
- How does the network capturing everything yet allowing ash removal illustrate both thoroughness and provision in divine judgment?
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Analysis & Commentary
The grate of network bronze (מִכְבָּר מַעֲשֵׂה רֶשֶׁת נְחֹשֶׁת, mikhbar ma'aseh reshet nechoshet) provided structure beneath the altar's compass (כַּרְכֹּב, karkov—'ledge' or 'border'), likely allowing ash removal and airflow for continuous burning. This grating beneath teaches that judgment's fire requires careful engineering—God's wrath against sin isn't chaotic rage but ordered justice. The network design suggests that nothing falls through God's justice; His judgment captures every sin, yet provides means (grating) for dealing with judgment's remains (ashes).