Exodus 27:5
New International Version
Put it under the ledge of the altar so that it is halfway up the altar.

New Living Translation
Install the grating halfway down the side of the altar, under the ledge.

English Standard Version
And you shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net extends halfway down the altar.

Berean Standard Bible
Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.

King James Bible
And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

New King James Version
You shall put it under the rim of the altar beneath, that the network may be midway up the altar.

New American Standard Bible
And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar, so that the netting will reach halfway up the altar.

NASB 1995
“You shall put it beneath, under the ledge of the altar, so that the net will reach halfway up the altar.

NASB 1977
“And you shall put it beneath, under the ledge of the altar, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall put it beneath, under the ledge of the altar, so that the net will reach halfway down the altar.

Amplified Bible
And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar, so that the grid will extend halfway up the altar.

Christian Standard Bible
Set it below, under the altar’s ledge, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Set it below, under the altar’s ledge, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.

American Standard Version
And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

English Revised Version
And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Put the grate under the ledge of the altar so that it comes halfway up the altar.

Good News Translation
Put the grating under the rim of the altar, so that it reaches halfway up the altar.

International Standard Version
You are to put it under the ledge of the altar, so that the netting extends halfway up the altar.

Majority Standard Bible
Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar.

NET Bible
You are to put it under the ledge of the altar below, so that the network will come halfway up the altar.

New Heart English Bible
You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

Webster's Bible Translation
And thou shalt put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the midst of the altar.

World English Bible
You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and have put it under the rim of the altar beneath, and the net has been up to the middle of the altar.

Young's Literal Translation
and hast put it under the compass of the altar beneath, and the net hath been unto the middle of the altar.

Smith's Literal Translation
And set it under the border of the altar from below, and the net shall be even to half the altar.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which thou shalt put under the hearth of the altar: and the grate shall be even to the midst of the altar.

Catholic Public Domain Version
which you shall place under the base of the altar. And the grating will extend even to the middle of the altar.

New American Bible
Put it down around the altar, on the ground. This network is to be half as high as the altar.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And you shall put it under the ledge of the altar, that the grate may reach to the midst of the altar.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Put it under the outside of the altar underneath, and the grate shall be unto the middle of the altar.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt put them below under the grate of the altar, and the grate shall extend to the middle of the altar.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Bronze Altar
4Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh. 5Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar. 6Additionally, make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze.…

Cross References
Exodus 38:4
He made a grate of bronze mesh for the altar under its ledge, halfway up from the bottom.

Exodus 40:6
Place the altar of burnt offering in front of the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting.

Leviticus 1:9
The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, a food offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

Leviticus 6:12-13
The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not be extinguished. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. / The fire shall be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished.

Numbers 4:13-14
Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it, / and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.

2 Chronicles 4:1
He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.

2 Chronicles 7:7
Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar he had made could not hold all these offerings.

1 Kings 8:64
On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.

2 Kings 16:14
He also took the bronze altar that stood before the LORD from the front of the temple (between the new altar and the house of the LORD) and he put it on the north side of the new altar.

Ezekiel 43:13-17
These are the measurements of the altar in long cubits (a cubit and a handbreadth): Its gutter shall be a cubit deep and a cubit wide, with a rim of one span around its edge. And this is the height of the altar: / The space from the gutter on the ground to the lower ledge shall be two cubits, and the ledge one cubit wide. The space from the smaller ledge to the larger ledge shall be four cubits, and the ledge one cubit wide. / The altar hearth shall be four cubits high, and four horns shall project upward from the hearth. ...

Hebrews 9:4
containing the golden altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant. Inside the ark were the gold jar of manna, Aaron’s staff that had budded, and the stone tablets of the covenant.

Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

Revelation 6:9
And when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld.

Revelation 8:3-5
Then another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. / And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel. / Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

Revelation 9:13
Then the sixth angel sounded his trumpet, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar before God


Treasury of Scripture

And you shall put it under the compass of the altar beneath, that the net may be even to the middle of the altar.

compass of the altar

Exodus 38:4
And he made for the altar a brasen grate of network under the compass thereof beneath unto the midst of it.

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Altar Beneath Compass Extend Halfway Half-Way Ledge Middle Midst Net Network Reach Round Shelf
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Altar Beneath Compass Extend Halfway Half-Way Ledge Middle Midst Net Network Reach Round Shelf
Exodus 27
1. The altar of burnt offering, with the vessels thereof
9. The court of the tabernacle enclosed with hangings and pillars
18. The measure of the court, and the furniture of brass
20. The oil for the lamp














Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar
The altar described here is part of the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness journey. The grate, likely made of bronze, was an essential component for the altar of burnt offering. This placement beneath the ledge suggests a practical design for the collection of ashes and the efficient burning of sacrifices. The altar's construction reflects God's detailed instructions, emphasizing the importance of obedience and precision in worship. The altar itself is a type of Christ, symbolizing His ultimate sacrifice for sin.

so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar
The mesh or network of the grate was designed to allow air to circulate, ensuring the fire burned efficiently. This halfway placement indicates a balance between functionality and symbolism. The altar's height and the position of the grate may also symbolize the accessibility of God's grace, as the sacrifices offered were a means for the Israelites to atone for their sins. This design can be seen as a foreshadowing of Christ's role as the mediator between God and humanity, bridging the gap and providing a way for reconciliation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who received the instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the altar.

2. The Altar
A central piece of the Tabernacle, used for burnt offerings and sacrifices, symbolizing atonement and worship.

3. The Tabernacle
The portable dwelling place for the divine presence among the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were given the law and instructions for worship as they journeyed to the Promised Land.

5. The Wilderness
The setting for the Israelites' journey and the location where the Tabernacle was constructed and used.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The detailed instructions for the altar's construction highlight the importance of following God's commands precisely. This teaches us the value of obedience in our spiritual lives.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The altar represents the need for atonement and the seriousness of sin. It points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, encouraging us to live lives of gratitude and holiness.

God's Presence and Provision
The altar was a place where God met with His people. It reminds us that God desires to dwell with us and provides a way for reconciliation through Christ.

Community Worship
The altar was central to the communal worship of Israel. This underscores the importance of gathering together as believers to worship and seek God.

Spiritual Foundation
Just as the grate was set beneath the ledge, our spiritual lives require a strong foundation in God's Word and truth to support our faith and actions.(5) Under the compass of the altar beneath.--The position of the network depends upon this expression. Was "the compass of the altar" its circumference at the top, or was it a belt or step encircling the altar half-way up? The low height of the altar--four feet six inches--would seem to make a "step" unnecessary; but the altar may undoubtedly have been surrounded by a "belt" for ornament.

Verse 5. - Thou shalt put it under the compass. The "compass" (karkob) is spoken of as if it were something well-known; yet it had not been previously mentioned. Etymologically the word should mean "a cincture" or "band" round the altar; and thus far critics are generally agreed. But its position, size, and object, are greatly disputed. Some hold that it was a broad bench, or step, on which the officiating priests stood at the time of a sacrifice, and that its position was about the middle of the altar. Others think that it was a mere border round the top, from which the net-work depended, and that the object of both was to catch anything that might fall from the altar. Others again, while placing it mid-way in the altar, regard it as a mere ornament, only projecting slightly, and forming a sort of finish to the net-work. This, which is the view of Knobel, seems to be, on the whole, the most probable one. That the net may be even to the midst of the altar. If the" compass" was at the top, the net must have extended thence to the middle. If it was mid-way in the altar, the net must have covered the lower half. To us this latter seems the more probable view. But the point is uncertain.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Set
וְנָתַתָּ֣ה (wə·nā·ṯat·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

[the grate]
אֹתָ֗הּ (’ō·ṯāh)
Direct object marker | third person feminine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

beneath
מִלְּמָ֑טָּה (mil·lə·māṭ·ṭāh)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 4295: Downward, below, beneath

the ledge
כַּרְכֹּ֥ב (kar·kōḇ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3749: Border, rim (of an altar)

of the altar,
הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar

so that the mesh
הָרֶ֔שֶׁת (hā·re·šeṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7568: A net

comes
וְהָיְתָ֣ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

halfway
חֲצִ֥י (ḥă·ṣî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2677: The half, middle

up
עַ֖ד (‘aḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

the altar.
הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ (ham·miz·bê·aḥ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4196: An altar


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OT Law: Exodus 27:5 You shall put it under the ledge (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 27:4
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