Lexical Summary makber: Grating, network, lattice Original Word: מַכְבֵּר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance grate From kabar in the sense of covering (compare kbarah); a grate -- grate. see HEBREW kabar see HEBREW kbarah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as kabir Definition a netted cloth, coverlet NASB Translation cover (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַכְבֵּר noun [masculine] a netted cloth or coverlet; 2 Kings 8:15 of the cloth which Hazael dipped in water, and spread over Ben-hand's face to smother him. Topical Lexicon Essential Concept מַכְבֵּר (makbêr) denotes the lattice-work or grate of bronze fashioned for the altar of burnt offering in the wilderness Tabernacle. All six biblical occurrences appear in the Exodus record of that sanctuary’s construction or inventory (Exodus 27:4; 35:16; 38:4; 38:5; 38:30; 39:39). Scriptural Witness • Exodus 27:4 – “Construct for it a grate of bronze mesh, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh.” Parallel verses (Exodus 35:16; 38:5; 38:30; 39:39) repeat the term when listing completed components. Physical Design and Placement The grate was a woven network of bronze positioned “beneath its ledge, halfway up from the bottom” (Exodus 38:4). This mid-height placement allowed air to circulate beneath the sacrificial fire while keeping the fuel and offerings securely above the ash pit. Bronze rings cast at each corner enabled poles to be inserted for transport, integrating mobility with durability—a necessity for Israel’s desert wanderings. Function within the Sacrificial System 1. Heat Control: Elevating coals on the lattice produced a hotter, cleaner flame, ensuring complete consumption of the sacrifice (compare Leviticus 1:9). Materials and Craftsmanship Bronze—an alloy resistant to corrosion—speaks of enduring judgment (Numbers 21:9; Revelation 1:15). The skilled work of Bezalel and Oholiab (Exodus 35:30-35) produced a lattice capable of withstanding constant exposure to flame and weighty animal carcasses, reflecting the excellence God requires in worship. Theological Significance 1. Mediation of Judgment: The grate stood between the fire of God’s holiness and the sinner bringing an offering, typifying the mediatorial work of Christ, who “bore our sins in His body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Historical Context Bronze lattices were common in Near-Eastern metallurgy, appearing in temple and palace architecture. Israel’s use, however, was distinct: purely cultic, movable, and commanded by divine revelation rather than human artistry. Later Solomonic and Second-Temple altars retained grates, though Scripture does not repeat the word makbêr, indicating either terminological development or an assumption of the reader’s familiarity from Exodus. Ministry Applications • Worship Planning: When churches design communion tables or baptismal fonts, the makbêr reminds planners to prioritize God-given symbolism over aesthetic preference. Related Symbolic Parallels Bronze Serpent – Focus of judgment lifted up (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15). Brazen Altar – Whole burnt offering consumed (Leviticus 6:9), with the makbêr integral to its function. Sea of Bronze – Laver standing on twelve oxen (1 Kings 7:23-25), another bronze structure representing cleansing in light of judgment. Summary מַכְבֵּר, though a single component, embodies vital truths: God’s holiness demands judgment, yet He provides a divinely engineered means for sinners to draw near. The bronze grate’s enduring presence under fire prefigures the Savior who perfectly absorbed judgment and opened a living way for worshipers in every age. Forms and Transliterations לְמִכְבַּ֣ר למכבר מִכְבַּ֤ר מִכְבַּ֥ר מִכְבָּ֔ר מכבר lə·miḵ·bar lemichBar ləmiḵbar michBar miḵ·bar miḵ·bār miḵbar miḵbārLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 27:4 HEB: וְעָשִׂ֤יתָ לּוֹ֙ מִכְבָּ֔ר מַעֲשֵׂ֖ה רֶ֣שֶׁת KJV: And thou shalt make for it a grate of network INT: shall make A grate of network of network Exodus 35:16 Exodus 38:4 Exodus 38:5 Exodus 38:30 Exodus 39:39 6 Occurrences |
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