The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,

EXODUS 35:16KJV
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Exodus 35:16 (KJV)

What does Exodus 35:16 mean?

Exodus 35:16 lists specific items that were to be made for the tabernacle: the altar for burnt offerings, its bronze grate, carrying poles, utensils, and the basin with its stand. This verse is part of a detailed inventory of the objects required for Israel’s worship, emphasizing the importance of each piece in the tabernacle’s function.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, relaying God’s instructions about constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings. The verse highlights the practical preparations for worship in the wilderness, showing that every item—from the altar (for sacrifices) to the laver (for washing)—had a defined role in the community’s relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 35:16

  • The word for "altar" is מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), which refers to the structure where offerings were made. Its mention underscores the centrality of sacrifice in Israelite worship.
  • "Offering" uses עֹלָה (olah), meaning a burnt offering that is completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication.
  • "Brassen" comes from נְחֹשֶׁת (nechoshet), meaning bronze or copper. The use of bronze for the grate and other items points to durability and ritual purity.
  • "Grate" is מִכְבָּר (mikhbar), a lattice or mesh, which was placed under the altar to catch ashes, showing attention to both function and cleanliness.
  • "Staves" are בַּד (bad), meaning poles used for carrying the altar, indicating the tabernacle’s mobility.
  • "Vessels" is כְּלִי (kli), referring to all the tools and utensils needed for the altar’s operation.
  • "Laver" is כִּיּוֹר (kiyyor), a basin for washing, and "foot" is כֵּן (ken), its stand—both essential for ritual cleanliness.

Why Exodus 35:16 matters

  • This verse clears up that every item in the tabernacle, even those that might seem minor, was specified by God and had a purpose, reflecting order and intentionality in worship.
  • By listing these objects, Exodus 35:16 connects to the broader theme of obedience and careful attention to God’s instructions throughout the tabernacle narrative.
  • The mention of both the altar and the laver highlights that both sacrifice (approach to God) and cleansing (purity before God) were necessary parts of Israel’s worship.

Where else these words appear

“grate” Hebrew H4345 · used in 6 verses

  • Exodus 27:4 And thou shalt make for it a grate of network of brass; and upon the net shalt thou make four brasen rings in the four corners thereof.
  • Exodus 38:4 And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.
  • Exodus 38:30 And therewith he made the sockets to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the brasen altar, and the brasen grate for it, and all the vessels of the altar,

“foot” Hebrew H3653 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 40:13 Yet within three days shall Pharaoh lift up thine head, and restore thee unto thy place: and thou shalt deliver Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
  • Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • 1 Kings 7:31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.

“laver” Hebrew H3595 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
  • Exodus 40:11 And thou shalt anoint the laver and his foot, and sanctify it.
  • 1 Kings 7:40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

“staves” Hebrew H905 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 26:1 And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.
  • Exodus 37:5 And he put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, to bear the ark.
  • Numbers 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.