Description and usage
Inside the Temple courtyard in Jerusalem there was a large, boxlike structure, made of bronze, which had a grate or grid in it. It stood outside the Holy Place. The priests kept a fire there all the time, for burning the animals that people brought to sacrifice to God. According to 2CH 4:1, this altar was made by Solomon and was 10 meters (33 feet) square and 5 meters (16.5 feet) high. The priests actually stood on top of this large altar, working at one of several fires maintained there. Access to the altar was by a large ramp (larger than the one in the illustration below).
This altar may have been constructed in steps or platforms or terraces. Such an altar, with three levels, is mentioned and described in EZK 43:13–EZK 43:17. The base would have had the dimensions given above, while the total height was 5 meters. The height of each level is not known.
Translation
See the discussion at Altars and Stone altar above.