Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. &. vb. n.) of Grate. 2. (n.) A partition, covering, or frame of parallel or cross bars; a latticework resembling a window grate; as, the grating of a prison or convent. 3. (n.) A system of close equidistant and parallel lines or bars, especially lines ruled on a polished surface, used for producing spectra by diffraction; -- called also diffraction grating. 4. (n.) The strong wooden lattice used to cover a hatch, admitting light and air; also, a movable Lattice used for the flooring of boats. 5. (a.) That grates; making a harsh sound; harsh. 6. (n.) A harsh sound caused by attrition. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia GRATE; GRATING grat, grat'-ing (mikhbar, resheth; the King James Version Grate): This "grating of network of brass" (Exodus 27:4; Exodus 38:4), called also "the net" (Exodus 27:4 f), and "grating of brass" (Exodus 38:4), was that reticulated casting or wrought work of bronze which, in the tabernacle system, formed an element of the altar of sacrifice. Its position is well defined: "Thou shalt put it under the ledge round the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar" (Exodus 27:5; compare Exodus 38:4). The altar being a hollow box-"hollow with planks" (Exodus 27:8)-3 cubits high, overlaid with brass, and presumably filled with stones, there appears to have been a ledge round about it halfway from the base, from which depended vertically this grating of bronze. On the grating were four rings through which the staves were passed by which the altar was borne (Exodus 27:4, 7). If the ledge was for the priests to stand on while handling the sacrifices on the altar, the grating need be thought of only as an ornamental support for the ledge. Others ascribe to it different uses. W. Shaw Caldecott

Multi-Version Concordance Grating (6 Occurrences) Exodus 27:4 You shall make a grating for it of network of brass: and on the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV) Exodus 35:16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of brass, it poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV) Exodus 38:4 He made for the altar a grating of a network of brass, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV) Exodus 38:5 He cast four rings for the four ends of brass grating, to be places for the poles. Numbers (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV) Exodus 38:30 With this he made the sockets to the door of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, all the vessels of the altar, (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV) Exodus 39:39 the bronze altar, its grating of brass, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base, (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)