And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.

EXODUS 38:5KJV
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Exodus 38:5 (KJV)

What does Exodus 38:5 mean?

Exodus 38:5 describes how four rings were made and attached to the four corners of the bronze grate, so that poles could be inserted to carry it. This detail is part of the instructions for constructing the altar for the tabernacle, making it portable for the Israelites' journey.

In this verse, the focus is on the practical design of the altar. Moses is overseeing the building of the tabernacle, and skilled workers are following God’s instructions. The rings and poles allowed the altar to be lifted and moved without direct contact, showing careful planning for the Israelites’ travels in the wilderness.

The Hebrew behind Exodus 38:5

  • "Rings" (טַבָּעָה, tabbaʿah) refers to circular fittings, often used for attaching poles. Here, it highlights how the altar was designed for transport.
  • "Ends" (קָצֶה, qatseh) means the extremities or corners. This shows that the rings were placed at the outermost parts of the grate, making it stable and balanced when carried.
  • "Grate" (מִכְבָּר, mikhbar) is a word for a lattice or mesh, specifically the bronze grid inside the altar. This detail helps us picture the altar’s construction more clearly.

Why Exodus 38:5 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the altar was intentionally built to be portable, not a fixed structure, which fits the Israelites’ nomadic life during the Exodus.
  • The attention to detail in the design shows the care and precision involved in following God’s instructions for worship.
  • Understanding the construction helps readers see how the tabernacle and its furnishings were made to be both functional and sacred, blending practical needs with spiritual significance.

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 38:30 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,

“ends” Hebrew H7099 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 37:8 One cherub on the end on this side, and another cherub on the other end on that side: out of the mercy seat made he the cherubims on the two ends thereof.
  • Psalms 48:10 According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
  • Psalms 65:8 They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice.

“rings” Hebrew H2885 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 41:42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck;
  • Exodus 28:26 And thou shalt make two rings of gold, and thou shalt put them upon the two ends of the breastplate in the border thereof, which is in the side of the ephod inward.
  • Exodus 38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.

“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 37:4 And he made staves of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold.
  • Numbers 11:14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me.