Exodus 27:4

4 And thou shalt make for it a brazen grate with net-work; and thou shalt make for the grate four brazen rings under the four sides.

Exodus 27:4 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 27:4

And thou shalt, make for it a grate of network of brass
Or "sieve", as in ( Amos 9:9 ) , it was a plate of brass with holes in it, to let through either the blood that drained from the parts of the sacrifice, or the ashes of it; for this was the focus or hearth, on which the sacrifice and the wood were laid and burnt: this, according to the Targum of Jonathan on ( Exodus 38:4 ) was to receive the coals and bones which fell from the altar: and so may denote the purity of Christ's sacrifice, which was offered up without spot to God, and the use of him as the altar to sanctify our gifts, and take away the sins of our holy things:

and upon the net shalt thou make four brazen rings in the four corners
thereof;
by which, with chains put into them, the grate was fastened to the four horns of the altar, and the use of them was to let it down and hang in the middle of the altar, and to take it up when there was occasion for it; though some think these rings were not "in" the grate, but "by" it, as the particle may be rendered, a little lower than that, on the sides of the altar; into which the staves after mentioned were put, and with which the altar was carried when removed from place to place.

Exodus 27:4 In-Context

2 And thou shalt make the horns on the four corners; the horns shall be of the same piece, and thou shalt overlay them with brass.

3 And thou shalt make a rim for the altar; and its covering and its cups, and its flesh-hooks, and its fire-pan, and all its vessels shalt thou make of brass.

4 And thou shalt make for it a brazen grate with net-work; and thou shalt make for the grate four brazen rings under the four sides.

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

6 And thou shalt make for the altar staves of incorruptible wood, and thou shalt overlay them with brass.