Exodus 35 16

Exodus 35:16 kjv

The altar of burnt offering, with his brazen grate, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot,

Exodus 35:16 nkjv

the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles, all its utensils, and the laver and its base;

Exodus 35:16 niv

the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand;

Exodus 35:16 esv

the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its utensils, the basin and its stand;

Exodus 35:16 nlt

the altar of burnt offering;
the bronze grating of the altar and its carrying poles and utensils;
the washbasin with its stand;

Exodus 35 verses

Exodus 35 16 Meaning

Exodus 35:16 lists essential pieces of furniture required for the Tabernacle: the altar of burnt offering, with its associated components (bronze grating, poles, and utensils), and the basin with its stand. These items were critical for the performance of the sacrificial system and priestly purification, facilitating Israel's corporate worship and their approach to a holy God in the wilderness. The altar provided a place for atonement through sacrifice, while the basin offered ritual cleansing for those ministering before God.

Exodus 35 16 Context

Exodus chapter 35 details Moses reiterating God's commands to the Israelites after the incident of the golden calf and God's renewed covenant with them. Following the crucial emphasis on observing the Sabbath (vv. 1-3), Moses calls for a freewill offering (vv. 4-9) from all who are "of a generous heart" for the construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings. Verses 10-19 then provide a detailed list of every component and structure to be built, serving as a blueprint for the skilled artisans whom God had specially gifted (vv. 30-35). Exodus 35:16, therefore, is a specific part of this inventory, outlining two vital pieces for the outer court: the altar for sacrifice and the basin for priestly washing, which were essential for the theocratic worship system and the nation's spiritual well-being as they journeyed in the wilderness.

Historically, this command reinforced the unique worship system of Israel, differentiating it sharply from the surrounding pagan cultures where altars might be used for idol worship or child sacrifice. God's specific instructions, down to every utensil, established precise boundaries and underscored the holiness required to approach Him, ensuring that worship was divinely appointed, not humanly contrived.

Exodus 35 16 Word Analysis

• The altar of burnt offering (מִזְבַּח הָעֹלָה, mizbeach ha'olah):
  • Mizbeach: From the Hebrew root meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice." This signifies its primary purpose as the place where animals were ritually slain for offerings.
  • Olah: Refers to a "burnt offering," derived from the root "to ascend" (like smoke). It was a sacrifice entirely consumed by fire upon the altar, signifying complete devotion, atonement, and worship ascending to God. This specific altar was foundational for the sacrificial system, symbolizing access to God through substitutionary sacrifice. Its placement at the entrance to the Tabernacle court indicates that atonement for sin was the necessary first step to approaching God's presence.
• with its bronze grating (מִכְבַּר הַנְּחֹשֶׁת, mikbar hannechoshet):
  • Mikbar: Means "network" or "grating," referring to the gridded structure placed inside the altar to hold the sacrificial offerings above the ash and coals, allowing air circulation for complete burning.
  • Nechoshet: "Bronze" or "copper." Bronze was commonly used for instruments of judgment or objects enduring intense heat (e.g., bronze serpent, bronze walls of the New Testament Revelation vision), reflecting the severity of God's judgment on sin that the sacrifices appeased.
• its poles (בַּדָּיו, baddayv):
  • Baddim: Refers to "bars" or "staves" attached to the altar for carrying it. This highlights the Tabernacle's (and thus God's presence) portability during Israel's journey through the wilderness. God's dwelling place was not static but accompanied His people, even in their wanderings.
• and all its utensils (כָּל־כֵּלָיו, kol kelayv):
  • Kol: "All" or "every." Emphasizes that every necessary instrument, no matter how small, was essential and had to be prepared according to divine specification.
  • Kelim: "Vessels," "instruments," or "utensils." These included items like pots for ashes, shovels, basins for blood, flesh hooks, and firepans – all indispensable for maintaining the altar and conducting the sacrificial rituals efficiently and reverently.
• and the basin (וְאֶת־הַכִּיּוֹר, ve'et-hakkiyyor):
  • Kiyyor: A "basin" or "laver," a large bowl containing water for ritual washing. Situated between the altar and the Tent of Meeting, it served as a station for priests to cleanse their hands and feet before ministering in the holy place or at the altar. It symbolized the necessary purification for ministry and fellowship with a holy God. It underscored that cleansing was necessary after atonement and before approach.
• with its stand (וְאֶת־כַּנּוֹ, ve'et-kanno):
  • Kanno: Refers to its "stand" or "base." It supported the basin, elevating it for use. The stand, like the basin, was made of bronze, emphasizing its practical stability and the resilience required for elements used in divine service.

Words-group analysis:

• "The altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles, and all its utensils": This grouping describes the complete apparatus for atonement. The altar itself for sacrifice, the grating for efficiency, the poles for portability (God's presence moving with His people), and the utensils for service highlight a divinely instituted system designed for specific, holy action necessary for reconciling a sinful people to a holy God. This foreshadows Christ's atoning work as the singular sacrifice.
• "and the basin with its stand": This pairing describes the complete apparatus for purification. Its location and purpose emphasize the necessity of ongoing cleansing for those who serve God, ensuring purity for acceptable worship. It speaks to the ongoing sanctification process and the washing of water with the Word that believers experience in Christ.

Exodus 35 16 Bonus Section

• Polemics against Paganism: The detailed and exclusive nature of the Tabernacle's furnishings, especially the altar, served as a strong polemic against contemporary pagan practices. Unlike the chaotic, often immoral, and human-devised rituals of surrounding nations (Canaanites, Egyptians), Israel's worship was strictly prescribed by Yahweh. Their altars were for atonement by animal blood, not for child sacrifice or idol worship, setting Israel apart as a nation under divine covenant and law.
• The Journey Metaphor: The portability of the Tabernacle (highlighted by poles for the altar and other components) is a powerful metaphor for God accompanying His people through their wilderness journeys in life. God is not confined to a fixed temple but is present with His people wherever they go, even amidst trials and transience.
• Spiritual Application for Believers: While we no longer have physical altars for sacrifice, these items still hold spiritual lessons. Believers approach God today through the singular, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (our ultimate altar, Heb 13:10). And just as priests needed the basin for washing before ministry, believers also require ongoing cleansing by God's Word and the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:26, 1 Jn 1:7) to walk in fellowship and serve effectively. This signifies the daily need for repentance, confession, and renewal for intimacy with a holy God.

Exodus 35 16 Commentary

Exodus 35:16, though a seemingly simple inventory verse, unveils profound theological truths inherent in the Tabernacle's design. It reiterates God's precise instructions for the altar of burnt offering and the basin (laver), which were the first points of contact for an Israelite approaching the sacred precinct. The altar, the first item mentioned, unequivocally underscored that atonement for sin, through blood sacrifice, was the prerequisite for any approach to God. Its bronze composition hinted at the divine judgment on sin and the fire that consumed the offerings. The presence of poles on the altar emphasized the temporary and mobile nature of God's dwelling among His pilgrim people.

Immediately after the altar came the basin. This demonstrated that while atonement provided initial access, ongoing cleansing was imperative for those ministering before the Lord. Priests washed here to avoid death, a powerful symbol of the purity required in divine service. Both pieces collectively portray the essential dual aspect of reconciliation with God: substitutionary atonement for sin (altar) and continuous purification for service and fellowship (basin).

The meticulous detailing of these items, as commanded by God through Moses, showcases His absolute holiness and His demands for a holy approach. Every component served a functional and symbolic purpose, collectively prefiguring the redemptive work of Jesus Christ: His sacrifice on the cross as the ultimate altar that completely atones for sin, and His ongoing work through the Spirit and the Word to cleanse and sanctify His people, enabling them to draw near to God with clean hands and pure hearts. These physical items in the wilderness served as concrete, tangible expressions of timeless spiritual realities concerning sin, sacrifice, and holiness.