Making the Bronze Altar
Exodus 38:1-7
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Exo.38.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs,def
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- חמש: NUM,card,f,sg
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ארכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וחמש: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,abs
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- רחבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,m,sg
- רבוע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ושלש: CONJ+NUM,card,sg
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- קמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 27:1-8 (verbal): Gives the original instructions for the altar of burnt offering (acacia/shittim wood) with the same dimensions (5x5 cubits, 3 cubits high); Exodus 38 repeats the building specification.
- Exodus 30:1-3 (verbal): Description of the altar of incense—also made of shittim (acacia) wood with prescribed cubit measurements (1x1x2); parallels in material, formulaic wording, and measurement language for altars.
- Ezekiel 43:13-17 (structural): Visionary measurements and detailed architectural description of a temple altar; structural parallel in the precise cubit-based specifications for sacred altars.
- 2 Chronicles 4:1 (thematic): Solomon’s temple bronze altar is described with specific dimensions (different in scale), showing the continuing thematic concern with altar size, material, and rite across Israelite sanctuaries.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood—five cubits its length and five cubits its breadth, square, and three cubits its height.
- And he made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood—five cubits its length and five cubits its breadth, square, and three cubits its height.
Exo.38.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- על: PREP
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- פנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- ממנו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- קרנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss
- ויצף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 27:2 (verbal): Almost identical construction instruction: make horns on the four corners, horns of one piece with the altar, overlaid with bronze.
- Exodus 38:7 (structural): Repeats the same description in the narrative account of the making of the bronze altar (parallel wording within the Exodus construction/materials sections).
- Leviticus 4:7 (thematic): Shows the liturgical function of the altar's horns: the priest applies blood to the horns in the sin-offering ritual, indicating their role in sacrificial rites.
- 1 Kings 1:50–53 (thematic): Narrative use of the altar's horns as a place of asylum (Adonijah seizes the horns), underscoring their physical prominence and cultic/legal significance.
- Psalm 118:27 (allusion): Festal/processional language referring to coming to the 'horns of the altar,' reflecting the altar-horns as focal points in worship and sacrifice.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made its horns on its four corners; its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.
- And he made its horns on its four corners; its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze.
Exo.38.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הסירת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- היעים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המזרקת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- המזלגת: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המחתת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כל: DET
- כליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exod.27:3-5 (verbal): Instruction for constructing the bronze altar and an almost identical catalogue of its utensils (pots, shovels, basins, forks, etc.), from the earlier building commands.
- Exod.38:1-2 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel — the surrounding verses give the account of making the altar and its fittings, of which 38:3 is the summary statement.
- 1 Kings 7:50-51 (verbal): Solomon’s temple catalogue of bronze items repeats the same kinds of vessels (altar, pots, shovels, snuffers/forks, and all the altar’s utensils), reflecting the same cultic inventory and terminology.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made all the vessels of the altar—the pots and the shovels and the basins, the forks and the firepans; all its vessels he made of bronze.
- And he made all the utensils of the altar—the pots and the shovels and the basins, the forks, and the firepans; all its utensils he made of bronze.
Exo.38.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- למזבח: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- מכבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעשה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחת: PREP
- כרכבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- מלמטה: ADV
- עד: PREP
- חציו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exod.27:4-5 (verbal): Instruction for the bronze grating/net: commands to make a network of bronze under the ledge halfway down. Exodus 38:4 records the actual execution of that command.
- Exod.38:1-7 (structural): Immediate literary parallel within the same narrative describing the construction of the altar (its boards, horns, and the bronze network); 38:3–4 repeats and implements the specifications given earlier.
- 1 Kings 7:29-37 (thematic): Description of Hiram’s bronze-work for Solomon’s temple, including intricate networks, supports and metal grating — parallels in material (bronze) and artisanal metalwork for cultic furnishings.
- 2 Chron.4:5-8 (thematic): Chronicles’ account of Solomon’s temple furnishings emphasizes large-scale bronze castings (lavers, vessels, supports), showing continuity in use of bronze and specialized metalwork for sacrificial/temple equipment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze—under its ledge, from below, up to its middle.
- And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, beneath, reaching halfway up.
Exo.38.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצק: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ארבע: NUM,card,f
- טבעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בארבע: PREP+NUM,f,sg
- הקצות: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למכבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- בתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לבדים: ADV
Parallels
- Exod.30.18 (structural): Both verses describe the laver (basin) made of bronze/brass for priestly washing — Exodus 30:18 gives the command to make the laver, Exodus 38:5 records rings cast for its support.
- Exod.25.12-15 (verbal): The ark is furnished with rings and staves to carry it (Exod.25:12–15); Exodus 38:5 likewise speaks of casting rings at the four corners to receive poles/staves for transport or support.
- 1 Kings 7:29 (structural): Solomon’s temple furniture: bases are described as having four rings on the four sides to receive staves — a near parallel in form and function to the four rings cast for the laver in Exod.38:5.
- 2 Chronicles 4:11-12 (thematic): Chronicles’ description of temple bases and lavers (with rings/wheels for carrying) echoes the Exodus account’s provision of rings at the corners of a large basin for handling and support.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he cast four rings at the four corners of the bronze grating—housings for the poles.
- And he cast four rings at the four corners of the bronze grating, holders for the poles.
Exo.38.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- עצי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויצף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 26:19 (verbal): Uses the same material term (shittim/acacia wood) for the tabernacle boards—parallel vocabulary and construction context.
- Exodus 36:20-28 (quotation): A building account that repeats the instructions and execution for making the boards and bases of the tabernacle (uses acacia wood and describes their fittings).
- Exodus 25:10-11 (verbal): The ark is made of acacia (shittim) wood and overlaid with metal (gold)—a closely related motif of wood objects overlaid with metal for holy furnishings.
- 1 Kings 7:47-50 (thematic): Solomon’s temple inventory lists bases and large bronze/metal work for sacred furnishings—continuity in the use of metal-clad wooden or bronze bases in Israelite cultic architecture.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
- And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze.
Exo.38.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הבדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- בטבעת: PREP,NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- צלעת: NOUN,f,sg,construct
- המזבח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לשאת: VERB,qal,inf
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- נבוב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחת: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Exodus 25:13–15 (verbal): Same technical formula for making poles and placing them in rings on the side of a sacred object (here the ark): poles of wood inserted into rings to carry the item.
- Exodus 25:26–28 (verbal): Parallel description for the table of showbread: poles of acacia overlaid with gold put into rings on the table’s sides to carry it — identical carrying/fixture language.
- Exodus 37:6–7 (verbal): Craftsman’s account in the construction section repeats the exact detail about making poles (wood overlaid with metal) and inserting them in the altar’s rings — near-verbatim repetition of Exod 38:7.
- Numbers 4:5–6, 15 (thematic): Instructions for handling/transporting holy things: articles are covered and carried with poles placed in their rings; connects the functional practice of carrying tabernacle furnishings.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he brought the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, to carry it by them; hollow, of boards, he made it.
- And he brought the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, to carry it by them; hollow, with boards, he made it.
And he made the altar of the burnt offering of acacia wood—five cubits its length and five cubits its breadth, square, and three cubits its height. And he made its horns on its four corners; its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. And he made all the vessels of the altar—the pots and the shovels and the basins, the forks and the firepans; all its vessels he made of bronze. And he made for the altar a grating, a network of bronze, under its ledge, from below, up to its middle. And he cast four rings at the four corners for the bronze grating—holders for the poles. And he made the poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with bronze. And he brought the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, to carry it with them; hollow, of boards, he made it.