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,

EXODUS 38:30KJV
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Exodus 38:30 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:30 mean?

Exodus 38:30 describes how the bronze collected from the offerings was used to make specific parts of the tabernacle: the bases (sockets) for the entrance, the bronze altar, its bronze grate, and all the tools for the altar. This verse lists the practical ways the materials were put to use in constructing the worship space for the Israelites.

In context, this verse is part of a detailed account of how the Israelites, under Moses’ leadership, built the tabernacle according to God’s instructions. The craftsman Bezalel and his team are making sure every donated material is used as intended. Exodus 38:30 shows transparency and faithfulness in using the offerings, highlighting the careful organization and purpose behind every part of the tabernacle.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:30

  • "sockets" (אֶדֶן, ’eden): This word refers to the bases or foundation blocks that supported the entrance to the tabernacle. Mentioning these emphasizes the stability and structure of the sacred space.
  • "brasen" (נְחשֶׁת, nechoshet): This word means "bronze" or "copper." The repeated use of bronze in the altar and its tools highlights the durability and value of these items in worship.
  • "grate" (מִכְבָּר, mikhbar): This refers to a lattice or mesh, likely the grill for the altar where offerings were burned. Including this detail shows the practical design of the altar for its specific function.

Why Exodus 38:30 matters

  • Exodus 38:30 clarifies that every offering given by the people was used for a specific, visible purpose in the tabernacle, countering any suspicion of waste or misuse.
  • The verse highlights the importance of craftsmanship and order in worship, showing that even the smallest details—like the sockets and grates—were thoughtfully planned.
  • By listing these items, Exodus 38:30 connects the people’s generosity directly to the worship practices that would take place, making the tabernacle a shared achievement of the whole community.

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 35:16 The altar of burnt offering, with his brasen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,
  • Exodus 38:5 And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.

“sockets” Hebrew H134 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 26:19 And thou shalt make forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards; two sockets under one board for his two tenons, and two sockets under another board for his two tenons.
  • Exodus 27:18 The length of the court shall be an hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty every where, and the height five cubits of fine twined linen, and their sockets of brass.
  • Exodus 38:17 And the sockets for the pillars were of brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets of silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters of silver; and all the pillars of the court were filleted with silver.

“brasen” Hebrew H5178 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Deuteronomy 28:23 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.