Exodus 38:7 - He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

Generated Verse: Exodus 38:7

What does "Exodus 38:7" mean?


This verse from Exodus 38:7 describes the final step in the construction of the bronze altar for burnt offerings in the Tabernacle. Let's break down what it means:

"He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar...": The "He" here is likely referring to Bezalel, the chief craftsman in charge of building the Tabernacle (mentioned earlier in Exodus). The altar had rings (likely made of bronze as well) attached to its sides. These rings were specifically designed to hold poles.

"...with which to carry it.": The poles were inserted through the rings to allow the altar to be carried. This was essential because the Israelites were nomadic, and the Tabernacle and all its components needed to be portable. The poles allowed Levites (specifically designated to care for the Tabernacle) to lift and transport the heavy bronze altar during their travels.

"He made it hollow with planks.": The altar was not a solid block of bronze. Instead, it was built as a hollow box using wooden planks, covered with bronze. This had two main purposes:
Reduced weight: A solid bronze altar would have been incredibly heavy and difficult to move. The hollow design significantly lightened the load.
Efficient use of bronze: Bronze was a valuable material. Making the altar hollow allowed them to cover a large surface area without using excessive amounts of the metal.

In Summary:

This verse describes how the bronze altar was made portable. Rings were attached to the sides, and poles were inserted through these rings, allowing the Levites to carry the altar during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The altar was also constructed as a hollow box made from planks overlaid with bronze, making it lighter and more economical in its use of the precious metal. This facilitated its transport without compromising its size or function for sacrifices.

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