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מַכְבֵּר

𐤌𐤊𐤁𐤓

makbêr

H4345 noun

SILEX Entry

Root כבר to intertwine, to knit, to weave, to interlace

Definition

A lattice or grate; specifically, in biblical usage, a network or meshwork structure of metal bars or rods, often used as a covering or protective screen, such as for the altar. The word implies a woven or interlaced construction of metal material serving both functional and possibly decorative purposes.

Semantic Range

grate, lattice, network, meshwork (especially of metal); covering of interwoven rods or bars for the altar

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root כבד (k-b-r), meaning 'to intertwine, knit, plait'. The noun form מַכְבֵּר (makbêr) is built from this root using the mem-prefix, which frequently forms nouns indicating instruments or tools. The form is closely related to כְּבָרָה (kevārāh), meaning 'sieve' or 'lattice.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

The term מַכְבֵּר appears primarily in ritual and cultic contexts within the Hebrew Bible, most notably in descriptions of the altar in the tabernacle (Exodus 27:4; 38:4), where it refers to a latticework or grating made of bronze placed under the altar's ledge. The word is used in contrast to כְּבָרָה (kevārāh), which denotes a sieve used for sifting, thus both words carry the idea of meshwork but differ in function and context. In the ancient Near East, such grates would serve as protective barriers or as structural supports for offerings. Later post-biblical Hebrew preserves the idea of metal latticework, though the specific cultic usage is unique to the biblical period. Standard English translations render it as 'grate' or 'network', which adequately communicates the physical form but may not reflect the precise ritual function.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from כָּבַר in the sense of covering (compare כְּבָרָה); a grate; grate.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

כבר (k-b-r) — to intertwine, to knit, to weave, to interlace

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H1247 בַּר Kebar Canal
H3523 כְּבִיר plaited bedding
H3524 כַּבִּיר mighty
H3527 כָּבַר he causes to multiply
H3528 כְּבָר in that already

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4345-02 מִכְבָּ֔ר mikhebar HNcmsa grating interwoven metal grate 5
H4345-01 לְ/מִכְבַּ֣ר lemikhebar HR/Ncmsc of the grate to the interlaced grate of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

6 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4345-02 Exodus 27:4 מִכְבָּ֔ר mikhebar HNcmsa a grating interwoven metal grate
H4345-02 Exodus 35:16 מִכְבַּ֤ר mikhebar HNcmsc grating interwoven metal grate
H4345-02 Exodus 38:4 מִכְבָּ֔ר mikhebar HNcmsa a grate interwoven metal grate
H4345-01 Exodus 38:5 לְ/מִכְבַּ֣ר lemikhebar HR/Ncmsc of the grate to the interlaced grate of
H4345-02 Exodus 38:30 מִכְבַּ֥ר mikhebar HNcmsc grating interwoven metal grate
H4345-02 Exodus 39:39 מִכְבַּ֤ר mikhebar HNcmsc the grate interwoven metal grate
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