Exodus 27:4

4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze; and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners.

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 You shall make horns for it on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze.
3 You shall make pots for it to receive its ashes, and shovels and basins and forks and firepans; you shall make all its utensils of bronze.
4 You shall also make for it a grating, a network of bronze; and on the net you shall make four bronze rings at its four corners.
5 You shall set it under the ledge of the altar so that the net shall extend halfway down the altar.
6 You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze;
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.