An Altar Is A Raised Platform That Is Often Located at The Center or Close To The Front Pews of The Church

An altar is a raised platform that is often located at the center or close to the
front pews of the church. The altar is a symbol of piety.
T. Altars could be natural objects or man-made constructs. Four materials are recorded as being
used in altars: stone, earth, metal, and brick. hus, an altar is a place where sacrifice is offered,
even if it is not an event involving slaughter.
God has a place of “altering” for us – There is a place of “altering” and a price of altering.
Altars have a price–God intends that something is “altered” in us when we come to altars. To
receive the promise means we make way for the transformation
The altar was not always a part of the church; in about A.D. 250, altars began to
appear in churches. The earliest altars were mere wooden tables that could be moved
about the church. Later, immovable structures with square raised platforms were built.
Wine and bread are often placed on the altar during religious ceremonies. A priest
often delivers the sermon from the pulpit and then descends from the altar to meet
with fellow Christians.
What is an altar in the Bible: Purposes and

Importance
Many Christians usually ask the question, what is an altar? The Bible clearly illustrates what is
an altar and its purposes. An altar can be seen as a structure upon which offerings are made for
religious purposes. It is usually a raised platform with a flat surface. There are over four hundred
references to altars in the Bible.
The word altar is first used in Genesis 8:20 when Noah built an altar to the Lord after leaving the
ark. However, the idea was present as early as Genesis 4:3–4 when Cain and Abel brought their
sacrifices to the Lord. They most likely presented their offerings on some type of altar, even
though the word altar is not used in that passage.
The Hebrew word for altar is mizbeah, from a verbal root meaning “to slaughter.” Greek renders
this word as thusiasterion [qusiasthvrion], “a place of sacrifice.” In the developed temple ritual,
the same word is used for both the altar of holocausts and the altar of incenseArchaeology has
provided numerous examples of altars from Palestine dating back to approximately 3000 B.C.
Natural rocks were also used (Judg 6:20). An altar could stand alone, or it was located in the
courtyard of a shrine.
Table of Contents Hide Contents

1. What is an Altar in Worship?
1.1. Spiritual Meaning of Altar
1.2. Representations of Altar
2. Importance Of Altars in Worship
2.1. A Place of interaction between Divine and Human
2.2. A Medium of Sacrifice and Exchange
2.3. The intersection of divine and human
2.4. A Place of Atonement
2.5. A Shelter for the Redeemed
3. Purpose Of the Family Altar
3.1. To worship God together and learn more of His ways
3.2. To honor God’s Word, develop respect for it, and live by it
3.3. To establish the family in the faith, personal convictions, and doctrine
3.4. To pray over the family
3.5. To intercede for others
4. Purpose Of Sacrifice in the altar
4.1. Sacrifice was viewed as a gift
4.2. Sacrifice was viewed as a form of communion
4.3. Sacrifice provides expiation
4.4. God required sacrifice for the Israelites to show the penalty of sin
4.5. Sacrifice also points the way to Jesus
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography
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What is an Altar in Worship?

Let us examine critically the meaning of an altar for worship. We shall look at the meaning of an
altar in two ways, namely: spiritual meaning, and representations.
Spiritual Meaning of Altar
Altars signify a representative of the Lord and burnt-offerings the worship of Him, it is evident
in the Prophets, as also in Moses when it is said of Levi, to whom the priesthood belonged:
“They shall teach Jacob Thy judgments, and Israel Thy law; they shall put incense in Thy
nostrils, and whole burnt-offering upon Thine altar” (Deut. 33:10), meaning all worship; for “to
teach Jacob judgments, and Israel the law” denotes internal worship; and “to put incense in Thy
nostrils, And whole burnt-offering on Thine altar” denotes corresponding external worship.
In Isaiah: “In that day shall a man look unto his Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the
Holy One of Israel; and he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hand” (Isaiah 17:7, 8),
where “looking to the altars,” plainly signifies representative worship in general, which was to be
abolished.
In David: “Let them bring me unto the mountain of Thy holiness, and to Thy tabernacles. And I
will go unto the altar of God, unto God the gladness of my joy” (Ps. 43:3, 4), where “altar”
manifestly denotes the Lord. Thus the building of an altar in the Ancient and the Jewish Church
was for a representative of the Lord.
As the worship of the Lord was performed principally by burnt offerings and sacrifices, and thus
these things signified principally representative worship, it is evident that the altar itself signifies
this representative worship itself.
As the altar represented the Lord in respect to Divine good, it was very holy of holies, and
sanctified everything that touched it; (Exod. 29:37); and therefore the fire upon the altar was
perpetually burning, and was never put out (Lev. 6:13), and from that fire was taken the fire for
the incense, and from no other source (Lev. 10:1-6); for by the fire of the altar was signified the
Divine good of the Lord’s Divine love.
Representations of Altar
A place of encounter – The Lord met Jacob in a crisis and the next day he built an altar at that
place (Genesis 28).
A place of forgiveness – The brazen altar of the tabernacle sacrifice was offered as an advance
testimony that there would be a once-for-all sacrifice in God’s Son.
A place of worship – The most common altar built by people to acknowledge their praise to
God was the altar of incense, the holy place where priests would offer worship to the Lord on
behalf of the people and themselves.
A place of covenant – An altar was built where the covenant was made between the Lord and
Abraham, and the land was sealed as a timeless promise to Abraham and his offspring (Genesis
15).
A place of intercession – The prophet Joel called for intercession by leaders on behalf of the
people and their devastated economy.
Importance Of Altars in Worship

An altar is a place where sacrifice is offered, even if it is not an event involving slaughter. Altars
could be natural objects or man-made constructs. Four materials are recorded as being used in
altars: stone, earth, metal, and brick. Jerusalem temple had two altars: the altar of incense and the
altar of holocausts.
The altar of incense was placed inside the sanctuary in front of the curtain screening the Holy of
Holies. It was made of gold-covered wood. It stood upright and measured 1 x 1 x 2 cubits.
Archaeological data indicate that all four corners of the upper surface were slightly peaked.
Twice a day, incense was burned on the altar.
The altar of holocausts stood in the courtyard of the temple. Like the other objects in the
courtyard, the altar was made of bronze. It measured 20 x 20 x 10 cubits (2 Chron. 4). Ahaz
replaced this altar with one modeled on an altar he had seen in Damascus (2 Kings 16).
A Place of interaction between Divine and Human
Altars were places of exchange, communication, and influence. God responded actively to altar
activity. The contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal involving an altar demonstrated the
interaction between Yahweh and Baal.
Noah built an altar and offered a sacrifice to Yahweh. God smelled the aroma and found it
pleasing. He responded to Noah’s action by declaring that he would never again destroy all
living things through a flood.
altars were markers of place, commemorating an encounter with God (Gen 12:7), or physical
signs of habitation. Abraham built an altar where he pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai.
Presumably at that altar he “called on the name of the Lord” (Gen 12:8).
A Medium of Sacrifice and Exchange
Sacrifices were the primary medium of exchange in altar interactions. The priestly code of
Leviticus devotes a great deal of space to the proper sacrificial procedure, and to what sacrifices
are appropriate in various circumstances.
Sacrifice was the essential act of external worship. Unlike the divinities of the nation
surrounding ancient Israel, Yahweh did not need sacrifices to survive. The Israelites, however,
needed to perform the act of sacrifice to survive (Exod 30:21). The act of sacrifice moved the
offering from the profane to the sacred, from the visible to the invisible world.
By this action, the worshiper sealed a contract with God. Blood, believed to contain the “life” of
an animal (or a human being), was particularly important in the sacrificial ritual. It was sprinkled
against the altar (Lev 1); once a year, blood was smeared on the horns of the incense altar.
The intersection of divine and human
The horns of the altar may have functioned as boundary markers, setting apart the sacred space
that was the actual place of intersection of the divine and human spheres. In the stark and moving
story of Abraham’s encounter with God at Moriah, Abraham built an altar and arranged the
wood on it (Gen 22:9).
After Isaac was laid on the altar, but before he was sacrificed, God proclaimed his recognition
that Isaac had “not [been] withheld.” By placing Isaac on the altar, Abraham transferred him
from the profane to the sacred.
A Place of Atonement
This sacred altar and its horns, where the atoning blood was splashed, provided a place of
sanctuary. The altar was a place where an unintentional murderer could gain a haven (Exod
21:13-14). If the murder was premeditated, however, then the altar was profaned by the
murderer’s presence and the individual could be taken away and killed.
Joab was denied the sanctuary of the horns because he had conspired to kill Amasa and Abner. In
an oracle against Israel (Am 3:14), God declared that “the horns of the altar will be cut off and
fall to the ground.” The message is clear: There will be no place to intercede with God and no
place to claim his sanctuary.
A Shelter for the Redeemed
After the exile, the first thing to be rebuilt was the altar. Then the temple was reconstructed. The
temple was ultimately secondary to the altar. In chastising the religious establishment, Jesus
underlined the sacredness of the altar, making clear his understanding that the altar “makes the
gift sacred” (Matt 23:19).
In Revelation, the altar in the heavenly temple shelters martyred souls and even speaks (Rev
16:7). The New Testament writer of Hebrews (13:10) implies that the ultimate altar is the cross.
Here divine and human interchange are consummated. The cross becomes the sanctuary of the
believer, protecting from the penalties of sin.
Purpose Of the Family Altar

To worship God together and learn more of His ways
What could be a better purpose? Children should learn to worship God in their early years that
they might have respect for Him in the later years. They need to learn how to regard Him and to
realize that He is the Creator, Holy, and to be honored in all that we say and do.
To honor God’s Word, develop respect for it, and live by it
James says, “But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your selves” (James
1:22). Remember the words of the Lord Jesus, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).
Home is a good place to practice the exhortation, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Col. 3:16).
These days when we have put the Bible out of our schools, we need to put it back in our homes
and teach our children from it.
To establish the family in the faith, personal convictions, and doctrine
Children and young people need convictions to stand up against their peers. They must
understand their faith and know something of good Bible doctrine so they know what they
believe and why. The home makes a good Bible school where the children can be grounded as
they face the humanistic, evolutionary philosophy of [our modern society].
To pray over the family
To pray over family problems and needs, burdens the children may have, and that they may have
confidence in the God that answers prayer in the everyday things of life. All the members of the
family have personal needs. It would be good if they could learn to share them openly and take
them before the Lord together.
There are school needs, boy and girlfriend problems, problems with playmates, character
problems such as timidity and fears of all kinds, questions about amusements, finances.
Teenagers have deep needs and hate to express them for fear of being misunderstood or
embarrassed. Their problems are big problems to them and must be considered.
Mom and Dad have needs of all kinds. Financial needs, Dad’s work needs, the car, moving, and
all kinds of things can be prayed through with God. All the family needs to know they can have
confidence in Him and that He will hear and answer prayer.
To intercede for others
To pray and intercede for others such as the pastor, missionaries, sick folk, unsaved loved ones,
the neighbors, fellow believers in need, the church, our president, the shut-ins, those who are on
trial or going through persecutions. Children who can learn to pray openly at home will have no
problem praying publicly in the church’s weekly prayer meetings as they grow.
Purpose Of Sacrifice in the altar

Sacrifice is the offering of food, objects, or the lives of animals to a higher purpose, in particular
divine beings, as an act of propitiation or worship. The Old Testament tells the story of the
Israelite nation-its forefathers, failings, and fickle faithfulness.
As the people of God, Israel was bound by the covenant they made with God: “‘all the words
which the Lord has said we will do'”(Exodus 24:3). Yet one cannot help but wonder as to the
barbaric nature of the covenant the Lord made with His people.
Why would God proscribe the blood of sacrifices, the deaths of innocent animals, and such
meticulous rituals? Let us examine some of the purposes of sacrifice as they will help us better
understand the majestic God we serve.
Sacrifice was viewed as a gift
There were many kinds of sacrifices that the ancient Hebrews offered (animal, fruit, grain, wine,
incense) but what was important was that the offering was made with the knowledge that the
repentant offerer was returning to God was already His. A verbal confession of specific sins
often accompanied the offering (Leviticus 5:5, 6, 13 – a very interesting precursor to the
Christian rite of confession).
Sacrifice was viewed as a form of communion
The sacrifice was never meant to be substitutionary (again, a contrast with pagan practices). The
portion of the sacrifice that was burned was thought to be consumed by God, and the remainder
was often eaten by the offerer and the priest. This aspect of sacrifice is also present in the
Christian understanding of the Eucharist.
Sacrifice provides expiation
Sacrifice is not meant to appease God (propitiation) but rather to create a change in the offerer
(expiation). For the Jews, offering a sacrifice was an act of self-denial and an aspect of
purification. This expiatory view of sacrifice is a commonality between Judaism and Orthodox
Christianity. Both are different from the Western propitiatory view.
God required sacrifice for the Israelites to show the penalty of sin
Under the Old Covenant, a guilty Israelite could offer up an animal sacrifice through the proper
channels to be relieved of the guilt of that sin. Although this was not a full remission of sin (Heb
10:1-3), it is the primary purpose of God’s requirement of sacrifice.
Sacrifice also points the way to Jesus
The Hebrew writer said about the Old Covenant, “And according to the law almost all things are
purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission”(Heb 9:22). Just as
those sinful Hebrews stood condemned before God and needed the shedding of sacrificial blood,
so those outside Christ do today. However, today, instead of the blood of ignorant animals, we
have the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”(John 1:29).
Conclusion
An altar always represented a place of consecration. Before God gave His Law to Moses, men
made altars wherever they were out of whatever material was available. An altar was often built
to commemorate an encounter with God that had a profound impact upon someone.
Abram (Genesis 12:7), Isaac (Genesis 26:24–25), Jacob (Genesis 35:3), David (1 Chronicle
21:26), and Gideon (Judges 6:24) all built altars and worshiped after having a unique encounter
with God. An altar usually represented a person’s desire to consecrate himself fully to the Lord.
God had worked in a person’s life in such a way that the person desired to create something
tangible to memorialize it.
During times of Israel’s rebellion and idolatry, the Lord’s altars fell into disrepair. The prophet
Elijah, confronting the prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel, “repaired the altar of the Lord, which
had been torn down” (1 Kings 18:30).
Elijah’s restoration of the altar was significant, given the rampant paganism of his day. Also,
even though he was living in a divided kingdom, the prophet symbolized the unity of God’s
people in his construction: “Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from
Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord had come, saying, ‘Your name shall be Israel.’
With the stones, he built an altar in the name of the Lord” (1 Kings 18:31–32). It was on this
rebuilt altar that God rained down fire and put the Baal-worshipers to shame (verses 38–39).
Bibliography
Davies, J. G. “Altar.” In The Encyclopedia of Christianity, edited by Erwin Fahlbusch and
Geoffrey William Bromiley, 42-43. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1999.
Easton, Matthew George. “Entry for Altar”. Easton’s Bible Dictionary. 1998.
Elwell, Walter A. “Entry for ‘Altar'”. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 1997.
Hayford, Jack. A Time of Altars. Churchmedia: Jack Hayford Ministries. 2016.
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. “Entry for ‘ALTAR'”. International Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. 1915.
Swedenborg, E. “Altars.” Bible Meanings.info: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.
Troester, Al. “Family Altar (Bible Time).” Wholesome Words: Christian Home and Family,
2016.
Wilson, Marvin R. Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith. Michigan: Wm.
B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 1989.
Altar [N] [E] [S]
Structure on which offerings are made to a deity. The Hebrew word for altar is mizbeah [;eBzim], from a
verbal root meaning "to slaughter." Greek renders this word as thusiasterion [qusiasthvrion], "a place of
sacrifice." In the developed temple ritual, the same word is used for both the altar of holocausts and the
altar of incense. Thus, an altar is a place where sacrifice is offered, even if it is not an event involving
slaughter.
Altars could be natural objects or man-made constructs. Four materials are recorded as being used in
altars: stone, earth, metal, and brick. Archaeology has provided numerous examples of altars from
Palestine dating back to approximately 3000 b.c. Natural rocks were also used ( Judg 6:20 ). An altar
could stand alone, or it was located in the courtyard of a shrine.
Their Jerusalem temple had two altars: the altar of incense and the altar of holocausts. The altar of
incense was placed inside the sanctuary in front of the curtain screening the Holy of Holies. It was made
of gold-covered wood. It stood upright and measured 1 x 1 x 2 cubits. Archaeological data indicate that
all four corners of the upper surface were slightly peaked. Twice a day, incense was burned on the altar.
The altar of holocausts stood in the courtyard of the temple. Like the other objects in the courtyard, the
altar was made of bronze. It measured 20 x 20 x 10 cubits (2 Chron. 4). Ahaz replaced this altar with one
modeled on an alter he had seen in Damascus ( 2 Kings 16 ). He moved the old altar, using it for
divination. In Ezekiel's vision the courtyard altar also was horned ( Eze 43:15 ).
Altars were places where the divine and human worlds interacted. Altars were places of exchange,
communication, and influence. God responded actively to altar activity. The contest between Elijah and
the prophets of Baal involving an altar demonstrated interaction between Yahweh and Baal. Noah built
an altar and offered a sacrifice to Yahweh. God smelled the aroma and found it pleasing. He responded
to Noah's action by declaring that he would never again destroy all living things through a flood. In the
patriarchal period, altars were markers of place, commemorating an encounter with God ( Gen 12:7 ), or
physical signs of habitation. Abraham built an altar where he pitched his tent between Bethel and Ai.
Presumably at that altar he "called on the name of the Lord" ( Gen 12:8 ). Interestingly, we are not told if
there was a response. In the next passage, however, Abraham went to Egypt and fell into sin, lying
about Sarah out of fear of Pharaoh. Perhaps there was no true communication at the altar between
Bethel and Ai.
Sacrifices were the primary medium of exchange in altar interactions. The priestly code of Leviticus
devotes a great deal of space to proper sacrificial procedure, and to what sacrifices are appropriate in
various circumstances. Sacrifice was the essential act of external worship. Unlike the divinities of the
nations surrounding ancient Israel, Yahweh did not need sacrifices to survive. The Israelites, however,
needed to perform the act of sacrifice in order to survive ( Exod 30:21 ). The act of sacrifice moved the
offering from the profane to the sacred, from the visible to the invisible world. By this action the
worshiper sealed a contract with God. Blood, believed to contain the "life" of an animal (or a human
being), was particularly important in the sacrificial ritual. It was sprinkled against the altar ( Lev 1 ); once
a year, blood was smeared on the horns of the incense altar.
The horns of the altar may have functioned as boundary markers, setting apart the sacred space that
was the actual place of intersection of the divine and human spheres. In the stark and moving story of
Abraham's encounter with God at Moriah, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it ( Gen
22:9 ). After Isaac was laid on the altar, but before he was sacrificed, God proclaimed his recognition
that Isaac had "not [been] withheld." By placing Isaac on the altar, Abraham transferred him from the
profane to the sacred.
This sacred altar and its horns, where the atoning blood was splashed, provided a place of sanctuary.
The altar was a place where an unintentional murderer could gain a haven ( Exod 21:13-14 ). If the
murder was premeditated, however, then the altar was clearly profaned by the murderer's presence
and the individual could be taken away and killed. Joab was denied the sanctuary of the horns because
he had conspired to kill Amasa and Abner. In an oracle against Israel ( Am 3:14 ), God declared that "the
horns of the altar will be cut off and fall to the ground." The message is clear: There will be no place to
intercede with God, and no place to claim his sanctuary.
After the exile, the first thing to be rebuilt was the altar. Then the temple was reconstructed. The temple
was ultimately secondary to the altar. In chastising the religious establishment, Jesus underlined the
sacredness of the altar, making clear his understanding that the altar "makes the gift sacred" ( Matt
23:19 ). In Revelation the altar in the heavenly temple shelters martyred souls and even speaks ( Rev
16:7 ). The New Testament writer of Hebrews (13:10) implies that the ultimate altar is the cross. Here
divine and human interchange is consummated. The cross becomes the sanctuary of the believer,
providing protection from the penalties of sin.
Thomas W. Davis
See also Offerings and Sacrifices; Priest, Priesthood
Bibliography. R. de Vaux, Ancient Israel; M. Haran, Temples and Temple Service in Ancient Israel; C. L.
Meyers, HBD, pp. 22-25.
Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell

Copyright © 1996 by Walter A. Elwell. Published by Baker Books, a division of
Baker Book House Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan USA.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
For usage information, please read the Baker Book House Copyright Statement.
[N] indicates this entry was also found in Nave's Topical Bible
[E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
Bibliography Information
Elwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Altar'". "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology". . 1997.
Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Altar
Altar [N] [B] [S]
(Heb. mizbe'ah, from a word meaning "to slay"), any structure of earth ( Exodus 20:24 ) or unwrought
stone ( 20:25 ) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (
Genesis 22:9 ; Ezekiel 6:3 ; 2 Kings 23:12 ; 16:4 ; 23:8 ; Acts 14:13 ). The word is used in Hebrews 13:10
for the sacrifice offered upon it--the sacrifice Christ offered.
Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, "To the unknown God"
( Acts 17:23 ), or rather "to an [i.e., some] unknown God." The reason for this inscription cannot now be
accurately determined. It afforded the apostle the occasion of proclaiming the gospel to the "men of
Athens."
The first altar we read of is that erected by Noah ( Genesis 8:20 ). Altars were erected by Abraham (
Genesis 12:7 ; 13:4 ; 22:9 ), by Isaac ( Genesis 26:25 ), by Jacob ( 33:20 ; Genesis 35:1 Genesis 35:3 ), and
by Moses ( Exodus 17:15 , "Jehovah-nissi").
In the tabernacle, and afterwards in the temple, two altars were erected.
 The altar of burnt offering ( Exodus 30:28 ), called also the "brasen altar" ( Exodus 39:39 ) and "the
table of the Lord" ( Malachi 1:7 ).
This altar, as erected in the tabernacle, is described in Exodus 27:1-8 . It was a hollow square, 5 cubits in
length and in breadth, and 3 cubits in height. It was made of shittim wood, and was overlaid with plates
of brass. Its corners were ornamented with "horns" ( Exodus 29:12 ; Leviticus 4:18 ).
In Exodus 27:3 the various utensils appertaining to the altar are enumerated. They were made of brass.
(Compare 1 Samuel 2:13 1 Samuel 2:14 ; Leviticus 16:12 ; Numbers 16:6 Numbers 16:7 .)
In Solomon's temple the altar was of larger dimensions ( 2 Chronicles 4:1 . Compare 1 Kings 8:22 1 Kings
8:64 ; 9:25 ), and was made wholly of brass, covering a structure of stone or earth. This altar was
renewed by Asa ( 2 Chronicles 15:8 ). It was removed by Ahaz ( 2 Kings 16:14 ), and "cleansed" by
Hezekiah, in the latter part of whose reign it was rebuilt. It was finally broken up and carried away by the
Babylonians ( Jeremiah 52:17 ).
After the return from captivity it was re-erected ( Ezra 3:3 Ezra 3:6 ) on the same place where it had
formerly stood. (Compare 1Macc. 4:47 .) When Antiochus Epiphanes pillaged Jerusalem the altar of
burnt offering was taken away.
Again the altar was erected by Herod, and remained in its place till the destruction of Jerusalem by the
Romans (70 A.D.).
The fire on the altar was not permitted to go out ( Leviticus 6:9 ).
In the Mosque of Omar, immediately underneath the great dome, which occupies the site of the old
temple, there is a rough projection of the natural rock, of about 60 feet in its extreme length, and 50 in
its greatest breadth, and in its highest part about 4 feet above the general pavement. This rock seems to
have been left intact when Solomon's temple was built. It was in all probability the site of the altar of
burnt offering. Underneath this rock is a cave, which may probably have been the granary of Araunah's
threshing-floor ( 1 Chronicles 21:22 ).
 The altar of incense ( Exodus 30:1-10 ), called also "the golden altar" ( 39:38 ; Numbers 4:11 ), stood in
the holy place "before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony." On this altar sweet spices were
continually burned with fire taken from the brazen altar. The morning and the evening services were
commenced by the high priest offering incense on this altar. The burning of the incense was a type of
prayer ( Psalms 141:2 ; Revelation 5:8 ; Revelation 8:3 Revelation 8:4 ).
This altar was a small movable table, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold ( Exodus 37:25 Exodus
37:26 ). It was 1 cubit in length and breadth, and 2 cubits in height.
In Solomon's temple the altar was similar in size, but was made of cedar-wood ( 1 Kings 6:20 ; 7:48 )
overlaid with gold. In Ezekiel 41:22 it is called "the altar of wood." (Compare Exodus 30:1-6 .)
In the temple built after the Exile the altar was restored. Antiochus Epiphanes took it away, but it was
afterwards restored by Judas Maccabaeus (1Macc 1:23 ; 4:49 ). Among the trophies carried away by
Titus on the destruction of Jerusalem the altar of incense is not found, nor is any mention made of it in
Hebrews 9 . It was at this altar Zacharias ministered when an angel appeared to him ( Luke 1:11 ). It is
the only altar which appears in the heavenly temple ( Isaiah 6:6 ; Revelation 8:3 Revelation 8:4 ).
These dictionary topics are from

M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition,
published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain, copy freely.
[B] indicates this entry was also found in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary
[S] indicates this entry was also found in Smith's Bible Dictionary
Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Altar". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .
Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Altar
Altar. [N] [B] [E]
The first altar of which we have any account is that built by Noah when he left the ark. ( Genesis 8:20 ) In
the early times altars were usually built in certain spots hallowed by religious associations, e.g., where
God appeared. ( Genesis 12:7 ; 13:18 ; 26:25 ; 35:1 ) Though generally erected for the offering of
sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have been only memorials. ( Genesis 12:7 ; Exodus 17:15
Exodus 17:16 ) Altars were most probably originally made of earth. The law of Moses allowed them to
be made of either earth or unhewn stones. ( Exodus 20:24 Exodus 20:25 ) I. The Altar of Burnt Offering .
It differed in construction at different times. (1) In the tabernacle, ( Exodus 27:1 ) ff.; Exod 38:1 ff., it was
comparatively small and portable. In shape it was square. It as five cubits in length, the same in breadth,
and three cubits high. It was made of planks of shittim (or acacia) wood overlaid with brass. The interior
was hollow. ( Exodus 27:8 ) At the four corners were four projections called horns made, like the altar
itself, of shittim wood overlaid with brass, ( Exodus 27:2 ) and to them the victim was bound when about
to be sacrificed. ( Psalms 118:27 ) Round the altar, midway between the top and bottom, ran a
projecting ledge, on which perhaps the priest stood when officiating. To the outer edge of this, again, a
grating or network of brass was affixed, and reached to the bottom of the altar. At the four corners of
the network were four brazen rings, into which were inserted the staves by which the altar was carried.
These staves were of the same material as the altar itself. As the priests were forbidden to ascend the
altar by steps, ( Exodus 20:26 ) it has been conjectured that a slope of earth led gradually up to the ledge
from which they officiated. The place of the altar was at the door of the tabernacle of the
congregation.)" ( Exodus 40:29 ) (2) In Solomons temple the altar was considerably larger in its
dimensions. It differed too in the material of which it was made, being entirely of brass. ( 1 Kings 8:64 ;
2 Chronicles 7:7 ) It had no grating, and instead of a single gradual slope, the ascent to it was probably
made by three successive platforms, to each of which it has been supposed that steps led. The altar
erected by Herod in front of the temple was 15 cubits in height and 50 cubits in length and breadth.
According to ( Leviticus 6:12 Leviticus 6:13 ) a perpetual fire was to be kept burning on the altar. II. The
Altar of Incense , called also the golden altar to distinguish it from the altar of burnt offering which was
called the brazen altar. ( Exodus 38:30 ) (a) That in the tabernacle was made of acacia wood, overlaid
with pure gold. In shape it was square, being a cubit in length and breadth and two cubits in height. Like
the altar of burnt offering it had horns at the four corners, which were of one piece with the rest of the
altar. This altar stood in the holy place, "before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony." ( Exodus
30:6 ; 40:5 ) (b) The altar of Solomons temple was similar, ( 1 Kings 7:48 ; 1 Chronicles 28:18 ) but was
made of cedar overlaid with gold. III. Other Altars . In ( Acts 17:23 ) reference is made to an alter to an
unknown God. There were several altars in Athens with this inscription, erected during the time of a
plague. Since they knew not what god was offended and required to be propitiated.
[B] indicates this entry was also found in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary
[E] indicates this entry was also found in Easton's Bible Dictionary
Smith, William, Dr. "Entry for 'Altar'". "Smith's Bible Dictionary". . 1901.
Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Altar
ALTAR
ol'-ter (mizbeach, literally, "place of slaughter or sacrifice," from zabhach, which is found in both senses;
bomos, (only in Acts 17:23), thusiasterion):
_I. CLASSIFICATION OF HEBREW ALTARS_
Importance of the Distinction
_II. LAY ALTARS_
1. Pre-Mosaic
2. In the Mosaic Age
3. Dangers of the Custom
4. The Mosaic Provisions
_III. HORNED ALTARS OF BURNT OFFERING_

1. The Tabernacle Altar
2. The Altar of Joshua 22
3. The Altar till Solomon
4. The Horned Altar in Use
5. The Temple of Solomon
6. The Altar of Ahaz
7. Ezekiel
8. The Post-exilic Altar
9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars
10. The Horns
_IV. ALTARS OF INCENSE_
V. RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS 1. A Gezer Altar
2. The Taanach Altar of Incense
_LITERATURE_
A. CRITICAL
I. Classification of Hebrew Altars.
Before considering the Biblical texts attention must be drawn to the fact that these texts know of at
least two kinds of altars which were so different in appearance that no contemporary could possibly
confuse them. The first was an altar consisting of earth or unhewn stones. It had no fixed shape, but
varied with the materials. It might consist of a rock (Judges 13:19) or a single large stone (1 Samuel
14:33-35) or again a number of stones (1 Kings 18:31 f). It could have no horns, nor it would be
impossible to give the stone horns without hewing it, nor would a heap of earth lend itself to the
formation of horns. It could have no regular pattern for the same reason. On the other hand we meet
with a group of passages that refer to altars of quite a different type. We read of horns, of fixed
measurements, of a particular pattern, of bronze as the material. To bring home the difference more
rapidly illustrations of the two types are given side by side. The first figure represents a cairn altar such
as was in use in some other ancient religions. The second is a conjectural restoration of Hebrew altars of
burnt offering and incense of the second kind.
Importance of the Distinction:
Both these might be and were called altars, but it is so evident that this common designation could not
have caused any eye-witness to confuse the two that in reading the Bible we must carefully examine
each text in turn and see to which kind the author is referring. Endless confusion has been caused, even
in our own time, by the failure to note this distinction, and the reader can hope to make sense of the
Biblical laws and narratives only if he be very careful to picture to himself in every case the exact object
to which his text refers. For the sake of clearness different terms will be adopted in this article to denote
the two kinds of altars. The first will be termed "lay altars" since, as will be seen, the Law permitted any
layman to offer certain sacrifices at an altar of earth or unhewn stone without the assistance of a priest,
while the second while be styled "horned altars," owing to their possession of horns which, as already
pointed out, could not exist in a lay altar that conformed with the provisions of the law.
_II. Lay Altars._
1. Pre-Mosaic:
In Genesis we often read of the erection of altars, e.g. Genesis 8:20; 12:7; 13:4. Though no details are
given we are able to infer their general character with considerable precision. In reading the accounts it
is sometimes evident that we are dealing with some rough improvised structure. For example, when
Abraham builds the altar for the sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22 it cannot be supposed that he used
metal or wrought stone. When Jacob makes a covenant with Laban a heap of stones is thrown up "and
they did eat there by the heap" (31:46). This heap is not expressly termed an altar, but if this covenant
be compared with later covenants it will be seen that in these its place is taken by an altar of the lay
type (SBL, chapter 2), and it is reasonable to suppose that this heap was in fact used as an altar
(compare Genesis 31:54). A further consideration is provided by the fact that the Arabs had a custom of
using any stone as an altar for the nonce, and certainly such altars are found in the Mosaic and post-
Mosaic history. We may therefore feel sure that the altars of Ge were of the general type represented
by Fig. 1 and were totally unlike the altars of Fig. 2.
2. In the Mosaic Age:
Thus Moses found a custom by which the Israelite threw up rude altars of the materials most easily
obtained in the field and offered sacrificial worship to God on sundry occasions. That the custom was
not peculiar to the Israelites is shown by such instances as that of Balaam (Numbers 23:1, etc.). Probably
we may take the narrative of Jethro's sacrifice as a fair example of the occasions on which such altars
were used, for it cannot be supposed that Aaron and all the elders of Israel were openly committing an
unlawful act when they ate bread with Moses' father-in-law before God (Exodus 18:12). Again, the
narrative in which we see Moses building an altar for the purposes of a covenant probably exemplifies a
custom that was in use for other covenants that did not fall to be narrated (Exodus 24:4).
3. Dangers of the Custom:
But a custom of erecting altars might easily lend itself to abuses. Thus archaeology has shown us one
altar--though of a much later date--which is adorned with faces, a practice that was quite contrary to the
Mosaic ideas of preserving a perfectly imageless worship. Other possible abuses were suggested by the
current practices of the Canaanites or are explained by the terms of the laws.
See _HIGH PLACE_.
4. The Mosaic Provisions:
Accordingly Moses regulated these lay altars. Leaving the occasion of their erection and use to be
determined by custom he promulgated the following laws:
"An altar of earth mayest thou make unto me, and mayest sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings and thy
peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in all the place where I record my name I will come unto
thee and I will bless thee. And if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones;
for if thou lift thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Neither mayest thou go up by steps unto mine
altar," etc. (Exodus 20:24-26; so correct English Versions of the Bible). Several remarks must be made on
this law.
It is a law for laymen, not priests. This is proved by the second person singular and also by the reason
given for the prohibition of steps--since the priests were differently garbed. It applies "in all the place
where I record my name," not, as the ordinary rendering has it, "in every place." This latter is quite
unintelligible:
it is usually explained as meaning places hallowed by theophanies, but there are plenty of instances in
the history of lay sacrifices where no theophany can be postulated; see e.g. Genesis 31:54; 1 Samuel
20:6,29 (EPC, 185 f). "All the place" refers to the territory of Israel for the time being. When Naaman
desired to cease sacrificing to any deity save the God of Israel he was confronted by the problem of
deciding how he could sacrifice to Him outside this "place." He solved it by asking for two mules' burden
of the earth of the "place" (2 Kings 5:17). Lastly, as already noticed, this law excludes the possibility of
giving the altars horns or causing them to conform to any given pattern, since the stone could not be
wrought One other law must be noticed in this connection: Deuteronomy 16:21 f: `Thou shalt not plant
thee an 'asherah of any kind of tree beside the altar of the Lord thy God, which thou shalt make thee.
Neither shalt thou set thee up a pillar, which the Lord thy God hateth.' Here again the reference is
probably to the lay altars, not to the religious capital which was under the control of the priests.
_III. Horned Altars of Burnt Offering._
1. The Tabernacle Altar:
In Exodus 27:1-8 (compare Exodus 38:1-7) a command is given to construct for the Tabernacle an altar
of shittim wood covered with bronze. It was to be five cubits long by five broad and three high. The four
corners were to have horns of one piece with it. A network of bronze was to reach halfway up the altar
to a ledge. In some way that is defined only by reference to what was shown to Moses in the Mount the
altar was to be hollow with planks, and it was to be equipped with rings and staves for facility of
transport. The precise construction cannot be determined, and it is useless to speculate where the
instructions are so plainly governed by what was seen by Moses in the Mount; but certain features that
are important for the elucidation of the Bible texts emerge clearly. The altar is rectangular, presenting at
the top a square surface with horns at the four corners. The more important material used is bronze,
and the whole construction was as unlike that of the ordinary lay altar as possible. The use of this altar
in the ritual of the Tabernacle falls under the heading SACRIFICE. Here we must notice that It was served
by priests. Whenever we find references to the horns of an altar or to its pattern we see that the writer
is speaking of an altar of this general type. Thus, a criminal seeking asylum fled to an altar of this type, as
appears from the horns which are mentioned in the two historical instances and also from such
expressions as coming down or going up. See ASYLUM.
2. The Altar of Joshua 22:

We read in Joshua 22:9 that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad built an altar. In 22:28 we
find them saying, "Be hold the pattern of the altar," etc. This is decisive as to the meaning, for the lay
altar had no pattern. Accordingly in its general shape this altar must have conformed to the type of the
Tabernacle altar. It was probably not made of the same materials, for the word "build" is continually
used in connection with it, and this word would scarcely be appropriate for working metal:
nor again was it necessarily of the same size, but it was of the same pattern: and it was designed to
serve as a witness that the descendants of the men who built it had a portion in the Lord. It seems to
follow that the pattern of the Tabernacle altar was distinctive and unlike the heathen altars in general
use in Palestine and this appears to be confirmed by modern excavations which have revealed high
places with altars quite unlike those contemplated by the Pentateuch. See HIGH PLACE.
3. The Altar till Solomon:
In the subsequent history till the erection of Solomon's Temple attention need only be directed to the
fact that a horned altar existed while the Ark was still housed in a tent. This is important for two
reasons. It shows a historical period in which a horned altar existed at the religious capital side by side
with a number of lay altars all over the country, and it negatives the suggestion of G. A. Smith
(Jerusalem, II, 64) that the bare rock ec-Cakhra was used by Solomon as the altar, since the unhewn rock
obviously could not provide a horned altar such as we find as early as 1 Kings 1:50-53.
4. The Horned Altar in Use:
Note too that we read here of bringing down from the altar, and this expression implies elevation.
Further in 1 Kings 9:25 we hear that Solomon was in the habit of offering on the altar which he had built,
and this again proves that he had built an altar and did not merely use the temple rock. (See also
Watson in PEFS (January, 1910), 15, in reply to Smith.)
5. The Temple of Solomon:
For the reasons just given it is certain that Solomon used an altar of the horned type, but we have no
account of the construction in Kings. According to a note preserved in the Septuagint but not in the
Hebrew, Solomon enlarged the altar erected by David on Araunah's threshing-floor (2 Samuel 24:25),
but this notice is of very doubtful historical value and may be merely a glossator's guess. According to
2 Chronicles 4:1 the altar was made of bronze and was twenty cubits by twenty by ten. The Chronicler's
dimensions are doubted by many, but the statement of the material is confirmed by 1 Kings 8:64;
2 Kings 16:10-15. From the latter passage it appears that an altar of bronze had been in use till the time
of Ahaz.
6. The Altar of Ahaz:
This king saw an altar in Damascus of a different pattern and had a great altar made for the temple on its
model. As the text contrasts the great altar with the altar of bronze, we may refer that the altar of Ahaz
was not made of bronze. Whether either or both of these altars had steps (compare Ezekiel 43:17) or
were approached by a slope as in Fig. 2 cannot be determined with certainty. It may be noted that in
Isaiah 27:9 we read of the stones of the altar in a passage the reference of which is uncertain.
7. Ezekiel:
Ezekiel also gives a description of an altar (Ezekiel 43:13-17), but there is nothing to show whether it is
purely ideal or represents the altar of Solomon or that of Ahaz, and modern writers take different views.
In the vision it stood before the house (Ezekiel 40:47). In addition he describes an altar or table of wood
(Ezekiel 41:22). This of course could only be a table, not in any sense an altar. See TABLE.
8. The Post-exilic Altar:
Ezra 3:2 f tells of the setting up of the altar by Zerubbabel and his contemporaries. No information as to
its shape, etc., can be extracted from this notice. We read of a defilement of the temple altar in 1 Macc
1:54. This was made of stones (Exodus 20:24-26 having at this date been applied to the temple altar
contrary to its original intent) and a fresh altar of whole stones was constructed (1 Macc 4:44-49).
Presumably this altar had no horns.
9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars:
It is clear from the historical and prophetical books that in both kingdoms a number of unlawful altars
were in use. The distinction which has been drawn between lay altars and horned altars helps to make
these passages easy to understand. Thus when Amos in speaking of Bethel writes, "The horns of the
altar shall be cut off," we see that he is not thinking of lay altars which could have no horns (Amos 3:14).
Again Hosea's "Because Ephraim hath multiplied altars `to sin,' altars have been to him `for sin'" (Hosea
8:11, compare Hosea 10:1-8; 12:11 (12)), is not in contradiction to Exodus 20:24-26 because the prophet
is not speaking of lay altars. The high places of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:28-33) were clearly unlawful and
their altars were unlawful altars of the horned type. Such cases must be clearly distinguished from the
lay altars of Saul and others.
10. The Horns:
The origin of the horns is unknown, though there are many theories. Fugitives caught hold of them
(1 Kings 1:50,51), and victims could be tied to them (Psalms 118:27).
_IV. Altars of Incense._
Exodus 30:1-10 contains the commands for the construction and use of an altar of incense. The material
was shittim wood, the dimensions one cubit by one by two, and it also had horns. Its top and sides were
overlaid with gold and it was surrounded by a crown or rim of gold. For facility of transport it had golden
rings and staves. It stood before the veil in front of the ark.
Solomon also constructed an altar of incense (1 Kings 6:20; 7:48; 1 Chronicles 28:18), cedar replacing
shittim wood. The altar of incense reappears in 1 Macc 1:21; 4:49.
_V. Recent Archaeological Materials._
Recently several altars have been revealed by excavations. They throw light on the Bible chiefly by
showing what is forbidden. See especially \HIGH PLACE\.
1. A Gezer Altar:
Fig. 3 represents an altar found at Gezer built into the foundation of a wall dating about 600 BC. Mr.
Macalister describes it in the following words:
"It is a four-sided block of limestone, 1 ft. 3 inches high. The top and bottom are approximately 10 1/2
and 9 inches square respectively; but these are only the average dimensions of the sides, which are not
regularly cut. The angles are prolonged upward for an additional 1 1/2 inches as rounded knobs--no
doubt the `horns' of the altar. The top is very slightly concave so as to hold perhaps an eighth of a pint of
liquid" (PEFS (July, 1907), 196 f). The size suggests an altar of incense rather than an altar of burnt
offering, but in view of the general resemblance between the Tabernacle altars of burnt offering and
incense, this is a fact of minor importance. On the other hand, the shape, pattern and material are of
great interest. That the altar violates in principle the law of Exodus 20:25 forbidding the dressing of the
stones is obvious, though that passage does not apply in terms to altars of incense, but certainly the
appearance of the block does recall in a general way the altars of the other type--the horned altars. Like
them it is four-sided with a square top, and like them it has knobs or horns at each corner. Possibly it
was formed in general imitation of the Temple altars. Other altars in Canaanite high places exemplify by
their appearance the practices prohibited by the Pentateuch. See for illustrations H. Vincent, Canaan
d'apres l'exploration recente; R. Kittel, Studien zur hebraischen Archaologie und Religions-Geschichte; S.
R. Driver, Modern Research as Illustrating the Bible.
2. The Taanach Altar of Incense:
Importance attaches to a terra cotta altar of incense found by Sellin at Taanach, because its height and
dimensions at the base recall the altar of Ex. "It was just 3 ft. high, and in shape roughly like a truncated
pyramid, the four sides at the bottom being each 18 inches long, and the whole ending at the top in a
bowl a foot in diameter. .... The altar is hollow. .... Professor Sellin places the date of the altar at about
700 BC. .... An incense-altar of exactly the same shape .... but of much smaller size .... has been found
quite recently at Gezer in debris of about 1000-600 BC" (Driver, Modern Research, etc., 85). These
discoveries supply a grim comment on theories of those critics who maintain that incense was not used
by the Hebrews before the time of Jeremiah. The form of the altar itself is as contrary to the principles
of the Pentateuch law as any thing could be.
On altar furniture see POT; SHOVEL; BASIN; FLESH-HOOK; FIREPAN. On the site, TEMPLE, and generally,
ARIEL; SACRIFICE; SANCTUARY; TABERNACLE; HIGH PLACE.
_LITERATURE._
R. Kittel, Studien zur hebraischen Archaologie und Religions-Geschichte, I and II; Hastings, Encyclopedia
of Religion and Ethics; Murray, Illustrated Bible Dictionary; EB, under the word "Altar"; EPC, chapter 6.
The discussions in the ordinary works of reference must be used with caution for the reason given in I
above.
Harold M. Wiener
_I. IN WORSHIP:
TABERNACLE AND TEMPLES_
1. Patriarchal Altars
2. Sacred Sites
3. Pre-Tabernacle Altars
_II. THE ALTAR OF BURNT OFFERING; BRAZEN ALTAR_
1. Altar before the Tabernacle
2. Its History
3. Altar of Solomon's Temple
4. Altar of Ezekiel's Temple
5. Altar of Second Temple
6. Altar of Herod's Temple
_III. THE ALTAR OF INCENSE (GOLDEN ALTAR)_
1. In the Tabernacle
2. Mode of Burning Incense
3. In Solomon's Temple and Later
4. In Herod's Temple
5. Symbolism of Incense Burning
_B. IN WORSHIP_
I. In Worship:
Tabernacle and Temples.
In the literature of the Bible, sacrifices are prior to altars, and altars prior to sacred buildings. Their first
mention is in the case of the altar built by Noah after the Flood (Genesis 8:20).
1. Patriarchal Altars:
The next is the altar built at the place of Shechem, by which Abraham formally took possession, on
behalf of his descendants, of the whole land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). A second altar was built between
Bethel and Ai (Genesis 12:8). To this the patriarch returned on his way from Egypt (Genesis 13:4). His
next place of sacrifice was Hebron (Genesis 13:18); and tradition still professes to show the place where
his altar stood. A subsequent altar was built on the top of a mountain in the land of Moriah for the
sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:9).
2. Sacred Sites:
Each of these four spots was the scene of some special revelation of Yahweh; possibly to the third of
them (Hebron) we may attribute the memorable vision and covenant of Genesis 15. These sites became,
in after years, the most venerated and coveted perquisites of the nation, and fights for their possession
largely determined its history. To them Isaac added an altar at Beersheba (Genesis 26:25), probably a re-
erection, on the same site, of an altar built by Abraham, whose home for many years was at Beersheba.
Jacob built no new altars, but again and again repaired those at Shechem and Bethel. On one occasion
he offered a sacrifice on one of the mountains of Gilead, but without mention of an altar (Genesis
31:54). There were thus four or five spots in Canaan associated at once with the worship of Yahweh, and
the name of their great ancestor, which to Hebrews did not lose their sanctity by the passage of time,
namely, Shechem, Bethel, Hebron, Moriah and Beersheba.
3. Pre-Tabernacle Altars:
The earliest provision for an altar as a portion of a fixed establishment of religion is found in Exodus
20:24-26, immediately after the promulgation of the Decalogue. Altars are commanded to be made of
earth or of unhewn stone, yet so as to have, not steps, but only slopes for ascent to the same--the
injunction implying that they stood on some elevation (see ALTAR, sec A, above). Before the arrival at
Sinai, during the war with Amalek, Moses had built an emergency altar, to which he gave the name
Yahweh-Nissi (Exodus 17:15). This was probably only a memorial altar (compare the altar `Ed in Joshua
22:21). At Sinai took place the great crisis in Israel's national history. It was required that the covenant
about to be made with Yahweh should be ratified with sacrificial blood; but before Moses could sprinkle
the Book of the Covenant and the people who covenanted (Exodus 24:6,; compare Hebrews 9:19), it was
necessary that an altar should be built for the sacrificial act. This was done "under the mount," where,
beside the altar, were reared twelve pillars, emblematic of the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 24:4). In
connection with the tabernacle and the successive temples there were two altars--the Altar of Burnt
Offering (the altar by preeminence, Ezekiel 43:13), and the Altar of Incense. Of these it is now necessary
to speak more particularly.
_II. The Altar of Burnt Offering (The Brazen Altar)_
(mizbach ha-`olah), (mizbach ha-nechosheth).--(By "brass" throughout understand "bronze.")
1. Altar before the Tabernacle:
The altar which stood before the tabernacle was a portable box constructed of acacia wood and covered
on the outside with plates of brass (Exodus 27:1). "Hollow with planks," is its definition (Exodus 27:8). It
was five cubits long, five cubits broad, and three cubits high; on the ordinary reckoning, about 7 1/2 ft.
on the horizontal square, and 4 1/2 ft. in height (possibly less; see CUBIT). On the "grating of network of
brass" described as around and half-way up the altar (verses 4,5), see GRATING. Into the corners of this
grating, on two sides, rings were riveted, into which the staves were inserted by which the Ark was
borne (see STAVES). For its corner projections, see HORNS OF THE ALTAR. The prohibition of steps in
Exodus 20:26 and the analogy of later altars suggest that this small altar before the tabernacle was
made to stand on a base or platform, led up to by a slope of earth. The right of sanctuary is mentioned
in Exodus 21:14. For the utensils connected with the altar, see PAN; SHOVEL; BASIN; FLESH-HOOK;
CENSER. All these utensils were made of brass.
2. Its History:
The history of the altar before the tabernacle was that of the tabernacle itself, as the two were not
parted during its continuance (see TABERNACLE). Their abolition did not take place till Solomon's temple
was ready for use, when the great high place at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4) was dismantled, and the tabernacle
and its holy vessels were brought to the new temple (1 Kings 8:4). Another altar had meanwhile been
raised by David before the tabernacle he had made on Zion, into which the Ark of the Covenant was
moved (1 Chronicles 15:1; 16:1). This would be a duplicate of that at Gibeon, and would share its
supersession at the erection of the first temple.
3. Altar of Solomon's Temple:
In Solomon's temple the altar was considerably enlarged, as was to be expected from the greater size of
the building before which it stood. We are indebted to the Chronicler for its exact dimensions
(2 Chronicles 4:1). It formed a square of twenty cubits, with an elevation of ten cubits (30 x 30 x 15 ft.; or
somewhat less). It is described as "an altar of brass" (2 Chronicles 4:1), or "brazen altar" (1 Kings 8:64;
2 Chronicles 7:7; compare 2 Kings 16:14), either as being, like its predecessors, encased in brass, or, as
others think, made wholly of brass. It was not meant to be portable, but that the altar itself was
movable is shown by the fact of Ahaz having it removed (2 Kings 16:14). Further details of its structure
are not given. The altar stood in "the middle of the court that was before the house," but proved too
small to receive the gifts on the day of the temple's dedication (1 Kings 8:64; 2 Chronicles 7:7). It
remained, however, the center of Israelite worship for 2 1/2 centuries, till Ahaz removed it from the
forefront of the house, and placed it on the northern side of is Damascene altar (2 Kings 16:14). This
indignity was repaired by Hezekiah (compare 2 Kings 18:22), and the altar assumed its old place in the
temple service till its destruction by Nebuchadnezzar in 586 BC.
4. Altar of Ezekiel's Temple:
The altar of Ezekiel's ideal temple was, as planned, a most elaborate structure, the cubit used for this
purpose being that of "a cubit and an handbreadth" (Ezekiel 43:13), or the large cubit of history (see
CUBIT). The paragraph describing it (Ezekiel 43:13-17) is very specific, though uncertainty rests on the
meaning of some of the details. The altar consisted of four stages lying one above another, gradually
diminishing in size till the hearth was reached upon which the fire was literal. This was a square of
twelve cubits (18 ft.), from the corners of which 4 horns projected upward (Ezekiel 43:15). The base or
lowest stage was one cubit in height, and had a border round about, half a cubit high (Ezekiel 43:13); the
remaining stages were two, four, and four cubits high respectively (Ezekiel 43:14,15); the horns may
have measured another cubit (thus, the Septuagint). Each stage was marked by the inlet of one cubit
(Ezekiel 43:13,14). The basement was thus, apparently, a square of eighteen cubits or 27 ft. The word
"bottom" (literally, "bosom") in Ezekiel's description is variously interpreted, some regarding it as a
"drain" for carrying off the sacrificial blood, others identifying it with the "basement." On its eastern face
the altar had steps looking toward the east (Ezekiel 43:17)--a departure from the earlier practice (for the
reason of this, compare Perowne's article "Altar" in Smith, Dictionary of the Bible).
5. Altar of Second Temple:
Of the altar of the second temple no measurements are given. It is told only that it was built prior to the
temple, and was set upon its base (Ezra 3:3), presumably on the Cakhra stone--the ancient site.
6. Altar of Herod's Temple:
In Herod's temple a difficulty is found in harmonizing the accounts of the Mishna and Josephus as to the
size of the altar. The latter gives it as a square of fifty cubits (BJ, V, v, 6). The key to the solution probably
lies in distinguishing between the structure of the altar proper (thirty-two cubits square), and a platform
of larger area (fifty cubits square = 75 ft.) on which it stood. When it is remembered that the Cakhra
stone is 56 ft in length and 42 ft. in width, it is easy to see that it might form a portion of a platform built
up above and around it to a level of this size. The altar, like that of Ezekiel's plan, was built in diminishing
stages; in the Mishna, one of one cubit, and three of five cubits in height, the topmost stage measuring
twenty-six cubits square, or, with deduction of a cubit for the officiating priests, twenty-four cubits.
Josephus, on the other hand, gives the height at fifteen cubits. The altar, as before, had four horns. Both
Josephus and the Mishna state that the altar was built of unhewn stones. The ascent, thirty-two cubits
long and sixteen broad, likewise of unhewn stone, was on the south side. See further, \TEMPLE\, \
HEROD'S\. It is of this altar that the words were spoken, "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy
way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift" (Matthew 5:24).
_III. The Altar of Incense (Golden Altar)_
(mizbach ha-qeToreth), (mizbach ha-zahabh).
1. In the Tabernacle:
This was a diminutive table of acacia overlaid with gold, the upper surface of which was a square of one
cubit, and its height two cubits, with an elevated cornice or crown around its top (Exodus 30:2). Like the
great altar of burnt offering, it was in the category of "most holy" things (Exodus 30:10); a distinction
which gave it a right to a place in the inner room of the cella or holy of holies. Hence, in 1 Kings 6:22, it is
said to "belong to the oracle," and in Hebrews 9:4 that chamber is said to have the "altar of incense." It
did not, however, actually stand there, but in the outer chamber, "before the veil" (Exodus 40:26). The
reason for this departure from the strict rule of temple ritual was that sweet incense was to be burnt
daily upon it at the offering of every daily sacrifice, the lamps being then lit and extinguished (compare
Numbers 28:3; Exodus 30:7,8), so that a cloud of smoke might fill the inner chamber at the moment
when the sacrificial blood was sprinkled (see MERCY-SEAT). To have burnt this incense within the veil
would have required repeated entries into the holy of holies, which entries were forbidden (Leviticus
16:2). The altar thus stood immediately without the veil, and the smoke of the incense burnt upon it
entered the inner chamber by the openings above the veil. For the material construction which admitted
of this, see HOLY PLACE.
For other uses of the altar of incense see HORNS OF THE ALTAR, where it is shown that at the time of
the offerings of special sin offerings and on the day of the annual fast its horns were sprinkled with
blood. This, with the offering of incense upon it, were its only uses, as neither meal offerings might be
laid upon it, nor libations of drink offerings poured thereon (Exodus 30:9). The Tamiyd, or standing
sacrifice for Israel, was a whole burnt offering of a lamb offered twice daily with its meal offering,
accompanied with a service of incense.
2. Mode of Burning Incense:
It is probable that the censers in use at the time of the construction of this altar and after were in shape
like a spoon or ladle (see SHEWBREAD, TABLE OF), which, when filled with live coals from the great altar,
were carried within the sanctuary and laid upon the altar of incense (Leviticus 16:12). The incense-sticks,
broken small, were then placed upon the coals. The narrative of the deaths of Aaron's sons, Nadab and
Abihu, is thus made intelligible, the fire in their censers not having been taken from the great altar.
3. In Solomon's Temple and Later:
The original small altar made by Moses was superseded by one made by Solomon. This was made of
cedar wood, overlaid with gold (1 Kings 6:20,22; 7:48; 9:25; 2 Chronicles 4:19); hence, was called the
"golden altar." This was among "all the vessels of the house of God, great and small," which
Nebuchadnezzar took to Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:18). As a consequence, when Ezekiel drew plans for a
new temple, he gave it an incense altar made wholly of wood and of larger dimensions than before
(Ezekiel 41:22). It had a height of three cubits and a top of two cubits square. There was an incense altar
likewise in the second temple. It was this altar, probably plated with gold, which Antiochus Epiphanes
removed (1 Macc 1:21), and which was restored by Judas Maccabeus (1 Macc 4:49). (On critical doubts
as to the existence of the golden altar in the first and second temples, compare POT, 323.)
4. In Herod's Temple:
That the Herodian temple also had its altar of incense we know from the incident of Zacharias having a
vision there of "an angel .... standing on the right side of the altar of incense" when he went into the
temple of the Lord to burn incense (Luke 1:11). No representation of such an altar appears on the arch
of Titus, though it is mentioned by Josephus (BJ, V, v, 5). It was probably melted down by John during
the course of the siege (V, xiii, 6).
5. Symbolism of Incense Burning:
In the apocalypse of John, no temple was in the restored heaven and earth (Revelation 21:22), but in the
earlier part of the vision was a temple (Revelation 14:17; 15:6) with an altar and a censer (Revelation
8:3). It is described as "the golden altar which was before the throne," and, with the smoke of its
incense, there went up before God the prayers of the saints. This imagery is in harmony with the
statement of Luke that as the priests burnt incense, "the whole multitude of the people were praying
without at the hour of incense" (Luke 1:10). Both history and prophecy thus attest the abiding truth that
salvation is by sacrificial blood, and is made available to men through the prayers of saints and sinners
offered by a great High Priest.
W. Shaw Caldecott
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
Orr, James, M.A., D.D. General Editor. "Entry for 'ALTAR'". "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia".
1915.
Popular Articles
What is the meaning of the altar mentioned in Hebrews

13:10? Are Catholics and Orthodox right that it is a
Christian altar?
Posted on December 13, 2016 by John Oakes wrote in Bible Interpretation, General, Historical
and Messianic Prophecy, Prefigures and Foreshadows, Q & A, Theology and Doctrinal
Questions.
Question:
What is the meaning of the altar mentioned in (Hebrew 13 : 10)? Catholic and Orthodox
Churches use this verse to prove that there is an altar in the New Testament–justifying their use
of an altar in their worship, and the idea that the Eucharist is a sacrifice. In Arabic translations,
the word altar is translated “‫”مذبح‬which means literally “the place of sacrifice” What’s the
sacrifice, and what is the place??
Answer
I am afraid the Catholic and Orthodox churches get this one very wrong. We must consider the
context and style of writing in the Book of Hebrews in order to interpret Hebrews 13:10
correctly. The book is full of type/antitype comparisons between the Old and the New
Testaments. As the Hebrew writer says about Mosaic covenant, “The law is only a shadow of
the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason, it can never, by
the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to
worship.” (Hebrews 10:1) The general pattern, as pointed out repeatedly by the Hebrew writer,
is that in the Old Covenant, a physical thing was used which is a foreshadow of something
spiritual in the New Covenant. The spiritual thing replaces the physical thing. If you look at
Hebrews 9:1-9 you will see that all the things in the tabernacle, including the altar of sacrifice,
were mere physical symbols of a spiritual, heavenly reality. Hebrews 9:9 says, “This [the
physical things in the Tabernacle] is an illustration for the present time, indication that the gifts
and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper.”
Therefore, in Hebrews 13:10, the “altar” being referred to certainly is not some sort of physical
altar set up here on the earth. To teach this is to completely ignore the entire message and
teaching of Hebrews. This is a fundamental error. To quote from Hebrews 13:10, We do have
an “altar” from which those who minister at the Tabernacle have no right to eat. “Those who
minister at the Tabernacle” would be the Jews who do not accept Christ. Our “altar” is the
heavenly one, in the real Tabernacle in heaven, of which the Jewish Tabernacle is a mere copy
and shadow (Hebrews 8:5). It is the altar on which Jesus has already given an eternal sacrifice
which does NOT need to be repeated year after year or week after week!
The idea that Christians make an “offering” on an “altar” weekly as we take the communion is
blasphemy. It implies that the sacrifice of Jesus was not sufficient for our salvation. For us, the
place of sacrifice was in Jerusalem nearly 2000 years ago. It is not on a Catholic “altar” in a
sacrifice/Eucharist. The Lord’s Supper is a remembrance and it certainly is not a sacrifice made
on an altar. To use Hebrews 13:10 as evidence that Christians have altars is to make the passage
do exactly the opposite of what it was intended to do! Our “altar” is not a physical place on the
earth. Look at the context of the passage. Our sacrifice is the one offered by Jesus who “suffered
outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood” (Hebrews 13:12). The
Lord’s Supper is not a sacrifice. The “sacrifice” we offer to God is one of praise—the fruit of
lips that confess his name. (Hebrews 13:15). It certainly is not the remembrance of Jesus’
sacrifice that we participate in weekly as Christians.
What is an altar?
An altar is usually a structure in or on which a person offers
prayers or sacrifices to someone or something for religious
purposes or to commemorate an important event.
Many churches feature an altar before which ceremonies such

as weddings, baptisms, prayer, communion, and other sacred
rites are carried out. Individuals sometimes create personal
altars at home for their private worship or as a symbolic
reminder of Romans 12:1 which calls us to "present your
bodies as a living sacrifice."
On a spiritual level, each person can be said to have an altar

within them where the flesh and spirit battle. When we
surrender aspects of ourselves to God, we present that on our
inner altar for God to control.
Most altars are similar to tables, with a flat top on which the
sacrifice is offered. In the Bible, there are more than 400
references to altars. Some are piles of rock or stone, some are
table-like, and others take other forms. The first use of altar
occurs when Noah offered burnt offerings to the Lord after the
flood (Genesis 8:20 ). Earlier, Cain and Abel brought sacrifices
to the Lord; while an altar is not specifically mentioned, they
may have presented their gifts on one (Genesis 4:3–4 ). Before
God gave the Law to Moses, men built altars wherever they
went, out of whatever was available. Altars were often made in
response to a significant encounter with God in order to
commemorate it (see Genesis 12:7 ; 26:24–25 ; 35:3 ; 1
Chronicles 21:26 ; Judges 6:24 ).
One of the most dramatic uses of an altar in the Bible involves

God's prophet Elijah who challenged the prophets of Baal to a
contest to see whose God was alive and active. First, the Baal
worshippers implored Baal to light their sacrifice on fire,
beseeching with shouts and even mutilating themselves in
worship. Nothing happened. Elijah then doused his altar with
water and prayed that God would honor his sacrifice. God sent
fire to consume the sacrifice, evaporate the water, and even
destroy the altar (1 Kings 18:20–40 ).
When the Israelites were instructed to build the tabernacle,

God gave specific instructions for the altar in the courtyard
(Exodus 27:1–8 ) for worshippers to use to offer their sacrifices.
When Solomon built a temple, the altar was made of gold (1
Kings 7:48 ).
What was the purpose of

animal sacrifices in the Old
Testament?
The animal sacrifices of the Old Testament were used to offer
atonement for sins and foreshadowed the complete, perfect
sacrifice of the blood of Jesus upon the cross for sins. Animal
sacrifices were prevalent throughout the Old Testament time
period and were still practiced in the temple during the early
New Testament time period.
The first animal sacrifice was made by God when He clothed

Adam and Eve with garments of skins in Genesis 3:21 . Then in
Genesis 4 Abel's offering, of an animal, was acceptable to God.
Both Noah and Abraham would offer animal sacrifices to the

Lord prior to the Law of Moses. In the time of Moses, the
sacrifice of a spotless Passover lamb was required on the night
that God sent death upon the firstborn males of Egypt. Those
who obeyed were spared of this plague and were freed from
slavery.
The Mosaic Law would be developed during the 40 years in the

wilderness and included the Passover as well as many other
animal sacrifices. Hebrews 9:22 explains, "Indeed, under the
law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the
shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." The
instructions for the sacrifices included many details to ensure
only an acceptable animal was sacrificed at an acceptable
location in an acceptable method and typically through a priest
in the presence of the Lord. The regulations were so specific
because of what the sacrificial system foreshadowed—the
ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, who was completely without sin and
through whom we are able to be made pure before God.
With the coming of Jesus as the Messiah, He fulfilled the Law

(Matthew 5:17 ), making the previous practice of animal
sacrifice obsolete. Though the Law is considered good,
salvation is only through Jesus Christ (John 3:16 ; Acts 4:12 ).
No actions or sacrifices made by humans can provide
salvation; what matters is faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-
9 ).
John the Baptist first announced this change in covenant when

God revealed Jesus as the Messiah to him. He said, "Behold,
the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" (John
1:29 ). Jesus is the ultimate sacrificial lamb . Second
Corinthians 5:21 adds, "For our sake he made him to be sin
who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God."
Hebrews 7:27 helps to explain why these sacrifices are no

longer necessary today: "He [Jesus] has no need, like those
high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and
then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when
he offered up himself." Jesus paid the price and was the one-
time substitute for our sins. There is no longer a need to seek
atonement or forgiveness through another method.
Finally, Hebrews 8:6-7 points out that the system of animal

sacrifice was incomplete as it required repeated sacrifices.
Instead, "Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more
excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better,
since it is enacted on better promises. For if that first covenant
had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look
for a second." Animal sacrifices provided a picture and
temporary covering for what Jesus accomplished on the cross.
Related Truth:
Why was a blood sacrifice required in the Old Testament

sacrificial system?
Why is Christianity so bloody?

What does it mean that Jesus died for our sins?
How is Jesus the Lamb of God?
How is Jesus our High Priest?
What is the significance of the

horns of the altar?
In 1 Kings 1:50 Adonijah ran and held onto the horns of the
altar in the temple when he begged for mercy for his life from
Solomon. Why did he run to this location? What was the
significance of the horns of the altar?
The horns of the altar were first mentioned in Exodus as part of

the furnishings of the tabernacle. In Exodus 29 they were used
in the consecration of the priests (see verse 12). Exodus 29:37
describes the altar as "most holy." After giving instructions as
to what must be offered on the altar, God said, "There I will
meet with the people of Israel, and it shall be sanctified by my
glory. I will consecrate the tent of meeting and the altar. Aaron
also and his sons I will consecrate to serve me as priests. I will
dwell among the people of Israel and will be their God. And
they shall know that I am the Lord their God, who brought them
out of the land of Egypt that I might dwell among them. I am
the Lord their God" (Exodus 29:43-46 ).
When Adonijah feared for his life, he ran for the horns of the
altar for one primary reason—safety. No one would dare kill a
person at the same place where offerings were made to the
Lord. From this secure location, Adonijah, fearing Solomon
would kill him, begged for his life.
Interestingly, in 1 Kings 2 Joab likewise ran to the horns of the

altar in an attempt to escape death. However, in this case, his
life was not spared: "The king replied to him, 'Do as he has
said, strike him down and bury him, and thus take away from
me and from my father's house the guilt for the blood that Joab
shed without cause. The LORD will bring back his bloody
deeds on his own head, because, without the knowledge of my
father David, he attacked and killed with the sword two men
more righteous and better than himself, Abner the son of Ner,
commander of the army of Israel, and Amasa the son of Jether,
commander of the army of Judah'" (1 Kings 2:31-32 ).
The horns of the altar are mentioned on three other occasions

in the Old Testament. In Psalm 118:27 we read, "The Lord is
God, and he has made his light to shine upon us. Bind the
festal sacrifice with cords, up to the horns of the altar!" The
idea here includes a time of festivity and praise at the
tabernacle.
In Ezekiel 43 a mention is also made of the horns of the altar

that will exist in the future millennial temple. Verses 13-27
describe this future altar in much detail.
Finally, Amos 3:14 mentions the horns of the altar, saying, "the
horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground." Used
in connection with the altars of Bethel, this reference describes
the altars of pagan worship in the divided kingdom of northern
Israel.
The horns of the altar represented a holy place and were used
twice in Scripture as a refuge for fugitives. However, today our
refuge is found in Jesus Christ. As Hebrews 13:6 promises,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to
me?"
Related Truth:
What was the Israelites' tent of meeting?
What was the 'Most Holy Place' or the 'Holy of Holies'?
What is significant about the Ark of the Covenant? What is it?
What was the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant?
What was the Old Testament grain offering?
What was the Old Testament

grain offering?
The grain offering (also called the meal offering or cereal
offering) was one of the main offerings presented by the Jews
in worship to the Lord. It was formally instituted in Leviticus 2
for use in the Jewish tabernacle. It would later be practiced in
the Jewish temple as well.
In Leviticus 2 , the teaching regarding the grain offering

includes four main sections: the uncooked offerings (Leviticus
2:1-3 ), the cooked grain offerings (Leviticus 2:4-10 ), the
ingredients involved (Leviticus 2:11-13 ), and the grain offerings
given as firstfruits (Leviticus 2:14-16 ). Unlike the burnt offering
(Leviticus 1 ), the grain offering did not include meat. Therefore,
it did not include blood. Also, since it originated in the
wilderness years in the desert, the grain offering likely was
relatively uncommon and may have involved offering grain
seeds rather than mature grain.
The grain offering also differed from the burnt offering in other
significant ways. For example, only a portion of the grain was
burned. The priests could use the rest for food. The opposite
was true of the burnt offering in which only a small portion
could be kept to eat. Also, while the burnt offering was for
atonement of sin, the grain offering's focus was worship. A
person could add grain to it to varying degrees.
Another important aspect of the grain offering was that it had to

be pure. No leaven (yeast) or honey could be added to the
grain. Both would cause the grain to decompose faster. Oil and
frankincense were also to be added, ingredients often
associated with joy or celebration. Salt was also included,
likely for its preserving powers.
An important connection could exist between the "no leaven"

command for the grain offering and the removal of leaven
during the Passover. In both cases, there is a focus on God's
provision as well as remembering what God did in bringing His
people from bondage to freedom. The response in both events
is to remember what God has done and to thank Him for it as
an act of worship.
John 6:35 reveals how Jesus used the idea of bread or grain in
reference to Himself. He taught, "I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes
in me shall never thirst." This grain offering in some ways
reminds us of the Bread of Life found in Jesus who serves as a
fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
Related Truth:
What was the Israelites' tent of meeting?

What was the 'Most Holy Place' or the 'Holy of Holies'?
What is significant about the Ark of the Covenant? What is it?
What was the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant?
What did Jesus mean when He said "I AM"?
What is a 'living sacrifice'?

According to Webster, sacrifice is "the act of giving up
something that you want to keep especially in order to get or
do something else or to help someone" or "an act of offering to
a deity something precious." In the case of Romans 12:1 , which
says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of
God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and
acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship," this
"something precious" is our bodies or selves. But we're not to
be a sacrifice in the sense of killing ourselves. Rather, we are
to be living sacrifices. Since Jesus paid the price for our sins
that God requires (1 John 2:2 ), we no longer have to pay for
our sins in blood (Hebrews 9:26 ).
So, now that it is clear that a blood sacrifice is not required,

how do we become a "living sacrifice"and what does that look
like? Romans 12:2 gives us the answer to the first part of the
question. We become a "living sacrifice" by being "…
transformed by the renewal of [our] mind, that by testing [we]
may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect." This is not something we ourselves
can do—God must do it. But there are things we can do to
enable the transformation. The Bible, God's Word, provides the
means for the change (Hebrews 4:12 ). We must read, study,
and meditate on God's word. Second Timothy 3:16–17 tells us,
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for
teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped
for every good work." Second Peter 1:3–8 tells us, "His divine
power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and
godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his
own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his
precious and very great promises, so that through them you
may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your
faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge
with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and
steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly
affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these
qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from
being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord
Jesus Christ." We read and apply God's Word, relying on His
power to transform our minds and hearts.
The answer to the second question is a little less obvious. We

can be a living sacrifice wherever God has put us. We do not
have to be a preacher or missionary or in some other form of
recognized full-time service to God. Rather, we should "bloom
where we are planted," to use an old adage. As our minds are
transformed, we will no longer conform to this world, but we will
begin to have attitudes and make choices in accordance with
God's will. We will want to be and act in such a way as to
please God. The way we are and the things we want to do will
look difficult and sacrificial by our earlier standards but not by
our transformed standards. Becoming a living sacrifice will
change our inner wants and desires so that we do not feel that
we are giving up something precious, but that we are getting
something precious. Being a living sacrifice, then, is no
sacrifice at all. It is what we desire.
En Español
Related Truth:
What is meant by 'dying to self'? How are Christians supposed

to die to self?
What does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus?
I want to live my life for God. How do I do that?
What is it to abide in Christ? What does it mean to abide in

Christ?
How can I walk in the Spirit?

Are altar calls biblical? Does
the Bible talk about altar calls?
Altar calls refer to the practice of inviting people to come
forward to the front of a church service or Christian event to
publicly come to faith in Christ or for other spiritual reasons.
However, altar calls were not a practice found in the early
church. The early churches did not have altars or even church
buildings that could be utilized in such a manner. Instead,
baptism served as the key practice to express a person's faith
in the resurrected Jesus Christ.
In the twentieth century, evangelistic events popularized the

practice of altar calls in asking people to come to faith in Christ
in response to a message. This practice was then used in many
Protestant churches as a time at the end of the service for a
person to believe in Jesus, express interest in church
membership or baptism, or for other prayer needs or spiritual
concerns.
Those who support the practice of using an altar call often refer
to Matthew 10:32 : "So everyone who acknowledges me before
men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in
heaven." An emphasis on "going public" with one's decision is
made, telling all people about the decision to become a
Christian.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with "coming forward" to

publicly tell people about your commitment to Jesus Christ, it is
also not a requirement. Instead, a person comes to salvation
by grace through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9 ).
Responding to an altar call can be used to make this decision
or share it with others, but does not save a person.
In addition, responding to an altar call can sometimes give a

person a false assurance that he or she has become a
Christian. However, just praying with a person at the end of a
service in front of a church does not necessarily make a person
a Christian.
The use of altar calls should not be used as a substitute for

baptism. We can rejoice when someone makes a decision for
God through an altar call. However, the command of Jesus is
to make disciples that include baptizing believers in the name
of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20 ).
Finally, it is also important to note that believing in Jesus Christ

is a decision that is intended to last far beyond an altar call.
Though a person can certainly make a genuine commitment
through an altar call, believers are called to be disciples, those
who will follow the call of Jesus: "If anyone would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow
me" (Luke 9:23 ).
Related Truth:
What is the Truth about salvation?
What is Christian baptism?
What is the significance of the Lord's Supper?
What was God's purpose in establishing the church?
Is church attendance im
Abraham—Called by God, by Witness Lee

More excerpts from this title...
SIGNIFICANCE—THE ALTAR
THE FIRST ALTAR • After Abraham had arrived at Moreh and after God had reappeared to
him, he built an altar (12:7). This was the first altar that Abraham built. In order to live by faith,
we must first of all build an altar. In the Bible an altar means that we have all for God and serve
God. Building an altar means that we offer everything we are and have to God. We need to place
all that we are and all that we have on the altar. Before we do anything for God, God would say
to us, “Child, don’t do anything for Me. I want you. I want you to put all that you are and all that
you have on the altar for Me.” This is real fellowship, real worship. The real worship of the
called ones is to put all that we are and have on the altar.
According to the human viewpoint, people will say that we are foolish for doing this. They will
accuse us of wasting our time, of wasting our lives. If they had been with Abraham, they would
have said, “Abraham, what are you doing? Are you crazy? Why do you build such a low thing as
an altar, and put everything on it and burn it? Isn’t that foolish?” As called ones, whatever we do
will be foolish in the eyes of the worldly people. Many of our relatives will say that it is foolish
for us to attend meetings so often, wondering why we do not stay at home and watch television
with our family. The worldly people cannot understand why we attend meetings several times a
week. They think that we are crazy. They would say, “What are you doing there in that little
building? Why do you go there on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, twice on Sunday, and even
sometimes on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday? Are you people crazy?” Yes, according to the
worldly people, we are crazy. God’s appearing makes us crazy.
An altar means that we do not keep anything for ourselves. An altar means that we realize that
we are here on earth for God. An altar means that our life is for God, that God is our life, and
that the meaning of our life is God. So we put everything on the altar. We are not here making a
name for ourselves; we are putting everything on the altar for the sake of His name.
If you check with your experience, you will see that immediately after you were called, God
appeared to you again, and you said, “Lord, from now on everything is Yours. All that I am, all
that I have, all that I can do and am going to do is for You.” I can still recall what happened on
the afternoon that I was saved. As I went out of that church building and walked along the street,
I lifted up my eyes to heaven and said, “God, from today on everything is for You.” That was a
real consecration. In a spiritual sense, it was the building of an altar. I believe that many of you
reading this message have had such an experience. When we received God’s calling, we were
crazy, not caring about what would happen. Although we did not realize what it meant at the
time, we promised the Lord that everything we had was for Him. When I said this to the Lord
that day on the street, I did not realize what it involved. When after a few years I found myself in
some difficulties, the Lord within me said, “Don’t you remember what you said that afternoon as
you walked along the street? Didn’t you say, ‘O God, from today on everything is for You’?”
When I signed the contract, I did not know what was involved. But it was too late to repent; the
contract had already been signed. To tell the Lord that everything is for Him is the real building
of an altar. We all can testify how sweet is the sensation and how intimate is the fellowship
whenever we tell the Lord that everything is for Him. At that time, we come deeply into the Lord
Himself.
Although we may tell the Lord that everything we are and have is for Him, we may forget it a
few days later. But the One who called us will never forget. He has an excellent memory. Often
He will come to us and remind us of what we have said to Him. He may say, “Don’t you
remember what you said to Me that day?” This is not a doctrine; it is a real experience. Unless
you have not been called, you are not an exception. As long as you are a called one, I have the
complete assurance that you have had this kind of experience. The Lord did reappear to you, and
at that reappearing you were crazy, promising to give the Lord everything, without considering
the meaning of the involvement. You simply consecrated yourself to Him. You did not realize
the meaning of what you promised. I thank God that we were not clear about this when we did it.
We did not realize how much we became involved with God as a result of speaking one short
sentence. We were bound by it. He is God. He is the calling One, and we are the called ones. It is
all of Him. Even if we want to be crazy for Him, in ourselves we do not have the incentive to do
it. But once He appears to us, we are crazy and say, “O Lord, everything is Yours. Take it. Lord,
do what You want. I offer everything to You.” Such a time of offering ourselves to the Lord is
like a dream. Later we wake up and begin to realize what it involves.
In the early days of my ministry I was burdened to help people to consecrate themselves.
Although I gave a lot of teaching about consecration, I did not see much result. My teaching did
not work very well. Eventually, I learned that you cannot help people to consecrate themselves
by teaching them. It is not teaching that causes people to consecrate themselves to the Lord; it is
the Lord’s appearing that motivates them to do this. If we can help people to meet the Lord and
come into His presence, that will be sufficient. We do not need to tell them to consecrate
themselves to God or to offer everything to the Lord on the altar. Once God appears to people,
nothing can stop them from consecrating themselves. Spontaneously and automatically, they will
say, “Lord, everything is Yours. From now on everything is for You.” Have you not had this
kind of experience? Have you not laid everything you are and have upon the altar for God and
His purpose?
(Abraham—Call
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18 Bible Verses about Altar Of Incense
Most Relevant Verses
Exodus 37:25
Verse Concepts
Then he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit long and a cubit wide, square, and
two cubits high; its horns were of one piece with it.
Exodus 30:3
Verse Concepts
You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and you shall
make a gold molding all around for it.
Exodus 37:26
Verse Concepts
He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and he made a gold
molding for it all around.
Exodus 30:4
Verse Concepts
You shall make two gold rings for it under its molding; you shall make them on its two side
walls—on opposite sides—and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it.
Exodus 37:27
Verse Concepts
He made two golden rings for it under its molding, on its two sides—on opposite sides—as
holders for poles with which to carry it.
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Exodus 30:5
Verse Concepts
You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
Exodus 39:38
Verse Concepts
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the veil for the doorway
of the tent;
Exodus 30:6
Verse Concepts
You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony, in front of the
mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Leviticus 4:7
Verse Concepts
The priest shall also put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense which
is before the Lord in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base
of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
1 Kings 9:25
Verse Concepts
Now three times in a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar
which he built to the Lord, burning incense with them on the altar which was before the Lord. So
he finished the house.
Exodus 30:26-27
With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all
its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense,
Exodus 30:7-8
Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when he trims the
lamps. When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall be perpetual
incense before the Lord throughout your generations.
Exodus 30:9
Verse Concepts
You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal offering; and
you shall not pour out a drink offering on it.
Exodus 30:10
Verse Concepts
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement on it with the
blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It is most holy to
the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 26:16-19
But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was
unfaithful to the Lord his God, for he entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar
of incense. Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of the Lord,
valiant men. They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn
incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated to burn incense.
Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor from the Lord
God.”read more.
Numbers 4:11
Verse Concepts
Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth and cover it with a covering of porpoise
skin, and shall insert its poles;
Revelation 8:3
Verse Concepts
Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much incense was
given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was
before the throne.
Revelation 9:3
Verse Concepts
Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them, as the
scorpions of the earth have power.
Bible Theasaurus
Altar (358 instances)
Incense (173 instances)
From Thematic Bible
Altar of incense » Placed before the vail in the outer sanctuary
Altar of incense » Atonement made for, by the high priest once every year
Altar of incense » A type of Christ

Altar of incense » The blood of all sin offerings put on the horns of
Altar of incense » Said to be before the lord
Altar of incense » Had four rings of gold under the crown for the staves
Altar of incense » Top of, surrounded with a crown of gold
Altar of incense » Dimensions, &c of
Altar of incense » Covered with gold
Altar of incense » Punishment for » Unauthorized offering on
Altar of incense » Punishment for » Offering strange fire on
Altar of incense » Anointed with holy oil
Altar of incense » Priest » Burned » Incense » Every morning » Every evening
Altar of incense » Covered by the priest before removal from the sanctuary
Altar of incense » Called the golden altar
Altar of incense » No strange incense nor any sacrifice to be offered on

Altar of incense » Staves of, covered with gold
Drink offering » Not » Poured » Altar of incense
Altar of incense » Placed before the vail in the outer sanctuary
Exodus 30:6
Verse Concepts
You shall put this altar in front of the veil that is near the ark of the testimony,
in front of the mercy seat that is over the ark of the testimony, where I will meet with you.
Exodus 40:5
Verse Concepts
Moreover, you shall set the gold altar of incense before the ark of the
testimony, and set up the veil for the doorway to the tabernacle.
Exodus 40:26
Then he placed the gold altar in the tent of meeting in front of the veil;
Altar of incense » Atonement made for, by the high priest once every year
Exodus 30:10
Verse Concepts
Aaron shall make atonement on its horns once a year; he shall make atonement
on it with the blood of the sin offering of atonement once a year throughout your generations. It
is most holy to the Lord.”
Leviticus 16:18-19
"Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement
for it, and shall take some of the blood of the bull and of the blood of the goat and put it on the
horns of the altar on all sides. "With his finger he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it seven
times and cleanse it, and from the impurities of the sons of Israel consecrate it.
Altar of incense » A type of Christ
Revelation 8:3
Verse Concepts
Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer; and much
incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden
altar which was before the throne.
Revelation 9:3
Verse Concepts
Then out of the smoke came locusts upon the earth, and power was given them,
as the scorpions of the earth have power.
Altar of incense » The blood of all sin offerings put on the horns of
Leviticus 4:7
Verse Concepts
The priest shall also put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant
incense which is before the Lord in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bull he shall pour
out at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
Leviticus 4:18
Verse Concepts
He shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before the
Lord in the tent of meeting; and all the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt
offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
Altar of incense » Said to be before the lord
Leviticus 4:7
Verse Concepts
The priest shall also put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant
incense which is before the Lord in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bull he shall pour
out at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting.
1 Kings 9:25
Verse Concepts
Now three times in a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings
on the altar which he built to the Lord, burning incense with them on the altar which was before
the Lord. So he finished the house.
Altar of incense » Had four rings of gold under the crown for the staves
Exodus 30:4
Verse Concepts
You shall make two gold rings for it under its molding; you shall make them on
its two side walls—on opposite sides—and they shall be holders for poles with which to carry it.
Exodus 37:27
Verse Concepts
He made two golden rings for it under its molding, on its two sides—on
opposite sides—as holders for poles with which to carry it.
Altar of incense » Top of, surrounded with a crown of gold
Exodus 30:3
Verse Concepts
You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its
horns; and you shall make a gold molding all around for it.
Exodus 37:26
Verse Concepts
He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and
he made a gold molding for it all around.
Altar of incense » Dimensions, &c of
Exodus 30:1
Verse Concepts
“Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall
make it of acacia wood.
Exodus 37:25
Verse Concepts
Then he made the altar of incense of acacia wood: a cubit long and a cubit
wide, square, and two cubits high; its horns were of one piece with it.
Altar of incense » Covered with gold
Exodus 30:3
Verse Concepts
You shall overlay it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its
horns; and you shall make a gold molding all around for it.
Exodus 37:26
Verse Concepts
He overlaid it with pure gold, its top and its sides all around, and its horns; and
he made a gold molding for it all around.
Altar of incense » Punishment for » Unauthorized offering on

2 Chronicles 26:16-19
But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and
he was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense
on the altar of incense. Then Azariah the priest entered after him and with him eighty priests of
the LORD, valiant men. They opposed Uzziah the king and said to him, "It is not for you,
Uzziah, to burn incense to the LORD, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron who are consecrated
to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have been unfaithful and will have no honor
from the LORD God." read more.
Altar of incense » Punishment for » Offering strange fire on

Leviticus 10:1-2
Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took their respective firepans, and
after putting fire in them, placed incense on it and offered strange fire before the LORD, which
He had not commanded them. And fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed
them, and they died before the LORD.
Altar of incense » Anointed with holy oil
Exodus 30:26-27
"With it you shall anoint the tent of meeting and the ark of the testimony, and
the table and all its utensils, and the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense,
Altar of incense » Priest » Burned » Incense » Every morning » Every evening
Exodus 30:7-8
"Aaron shall burn fragrant incense on it; he shall burn it every morning when
he trims the lamps. "When Aaron trims the lamps at twilight, he shall burn incense. There shall
be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations.
Altar of incense » Covered by the priest before removal from the sanctuary
Numbers 4:11
Verse Concepts
Over the golden altar they shall spread a blue cloth and cover it with a covering
of porpoise skin, and shall insert its poles;
Altar of incense » Called the golden altar
Exodus 39:38
Verse Concepts
and the gold altar, and the anointing oil and the fragrant incense, and the veil
for the doorway of the tent;
Altar of incense » No strange incense nor any sacrifice to be offered on
Exodus 30:9
Verse Concepts
You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal
offering; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it.
Altar of incense » Staves of, covered with gold
Exodus 30:5
Verse Concepts
You shall make the poles of acacia wood and overlay them with gold.
Drink offering » Not » Poured » Altar of incense
Exodus 30:9
Verse Concepts
You shall not offer any strange incense on this altar, or burnt offering or meal
offering; and you shall not pour out a drink offering on it.
Related Topics
Gold Items For The Tabernacl
Overlaid With Gold
14 more topics on Altar
3 more topics on Incense
Bible Verses about Altars, Built By

Genesis 8:20
Verse Concepts
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird
and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Genesis 12:7
Verse Concepts
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built
an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.
Genesis 26:25
Verse Concepts
So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and
there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
Genesis 33:18
Verse Concepts
Now Jacob came safely to the city of Shechem, which is in the land of Canaan, when he came
from Paddan-aram, and camped before the city.
Exodus 17:15
Verse Concepts
Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner;
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Deuteronomy 27:4-7
So it shall be when you cross the Jordan, you shall set up on Mount Ebal, these stones, as I am
commanding you today, and you shall coat them with lime. Moreover, you shall build there an
altar to the Lord your God, an altar of stones; you shall not wield an iron tool on them. You shall
build the altar of the Lord your God of uncut stones, and you shall offer on it burnt offerings to
the Lord your God;read more.
Joshua 22:10
Verse Concepts
When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of
Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a
large altar in appearance.
Judges 6:26
Verse Concepts
and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and
take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut
down.”
Judges 13:19
Verse Concepts
So Manoah took the young goat with the grain offering and offered it on the rock to the Lord,
and He performed wonders while Manoah and his wife looked on.
Judges 21:4
Verse Concepts
It came about the next day that the people arose early and built an altar there and offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings.
1 Samuel 7:17
Verse Concepts
Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built
there an altar to the Lord.
1 Samuel 14:35
Verse Concepts
And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
2 Samuel 24:18-25
So Gad came to David that day and said to him, “Go up, erect an altar to the Lord on the
threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” David went up according to the word of Gad, just as the
Lord had commanded. Araunah looked down and saw the king and his servants crossing over
toward him; and Araunah went out and bowed his face to the ground before the king.read more.
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46 Bible Verses about Building Altars

Numbers 23:1
Verse Concepts
Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build seven altars for me here, and prepare seven bulls and seven
rams for me here.”
Exodus 32:5
Verse Concepts
Now when Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made a proclamation and
said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.”
Genesis 8:20
Verse Concepts
Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird
and offered burnt offerings on the altar.
Genesis 12:7
Verse Concepts
The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your descendants I will give this land.” So he built
an altar there to the Lord who had appeared to him.
Genesis 12:8
Verse Concepts
Then he proceeded from there to the mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, with
Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; and there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the
name of the Lord.
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Genesis 13:4
Verse Concepts
to the place of the altar which he had made there formerly; and there Abram called on the
name of the Lord.
Genesis 13:18
Verse Concepts
Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron,
and there he built an altar to the Lord.
Genesis 22:9
Verse Concepts
Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and
arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
Genesis 26:25
Verse Concepts
So he built an altar there and called upon the name of the Lord, and pitched his tent there; and
there Isaac’s servants dug a well.
Genesis 33:20
Verse Concepts
Then he erected there an altar and called it El-Elohe-Israel.
Genesis 35:1
Verse Concepts
Then God said to Jacob, “Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God,
who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.”
Genesis 35:7
Verse Concepts
He built an altar there, and called the place El-bethel, because there God had revealed Himself
to him when he fled from his brother.
Exodus 17:15
Verse Concepts
Moses built an altar and named it The Lord is My Banner;

Joshua 8:30
Verse Concepts
Then Joshua built an altar to the Lord, the God of Israel, in Mount Ebal,
Joshua 22:10
Verse Concepts
When they came to the region of the Jordan which is in the land of Canaan, the sons of
Reuben and the sons of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an altar there by the Jordan, a
large altar in appearance.
Joshua 22:11
Verse Concepts
And the sons of Israel heard it said, “Behold, the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad and the
half-tribe of Manasseh have built an altar at the frontier of the land of Canaan, in the region of
the Jordan, on the side belonging to the sons of Israel.”
Joshua 22:16
Verse Concepts
“Thus says the whole congregation of the Lord, ‘What is this unfaithful act which you have
committed against the God of Israel, turning away from following the Lord this day, by building
yourselves an altar, to rebel against the Lord this day?
Joshua 22:19
Verse Concepts
If, however, the land of your possession is unclean, then cross into the land of the possession
of the Lord, where the Lord’s tabernacle stands, and take possession among us. Only do not rebel
against the Lord, or rebel against us by building an altar for yourselves, besides the altar of the
Lord our God.
Joshua 22:23
Verse Concepts
If we have built us an altar to turn away from following the Lord, or if to offer a burnt offering
or grain offering on it, or if to offer sacrifices of peace offerings on it, may the Lord Himself
require it.
Joshua 22:26
“Therefore we said, ‘Let us build an altar, not for burnt offering or for sacrifice;
Judges 6:24
Verse Concepts
Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is
still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.
Judges 6:26
Verse Concepts
and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and
take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut
down.”
Judges 6:28
Verse Concepts
When the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was torn down,
and the Asherah which was beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar
which had been built.
Judges 21:4
Verse Concepts
It came about the next day that the people arose early and built an altar there and offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings.
Ezra 3:2
Verse Concepts
Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of
Shealtiel and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on
it, as it is written in the law of Moses, the man of God.
1 Samuel 7:17
Verse Concepts
Then his return was to Ramah, for his house was there, and there he judged Israel; and he built
there an altar to the Lord.
1 Samuel 14:35
Verse Concepts
And Saul built an altar to the Lord; it was the first altar that he built to the Lord.
2 Samuel 24:18
Verse Concepts
So Gad came to David that day and said to him, “Go up, erect an altar to the Lord on the
threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.”
2 Samuel 24:21
Verse Concepts
Then Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” And David said, “To
buy the threshing floor from you, in order to build an altar to the Lord, that the plague may be
held back from the people.”
2 Samuel 24:25
Verse Concepts
David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Thus the
Lord was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.
1 Chronicles 21:18
Verse Concepts
Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up and
build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
1 Chronicles 21:22
Then David said to Ornan, “Give me the site of this threshing floor, that I may build on it an
altar to the Lord; for the full price you shall give it to me, that the plague may be restrained from
the people.”
1 Chronicles 21:26
Verse Concepts
Then David built an altar to the Lord there and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.
And he called to the Lord and He answered him with fire from heaven on the altar of burnt
offering.
1 Kings 9:25
Verse Concepts
Now three times in a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar
which he built to the Lord, burning incense with them on the altar which was before the Lord. So
he finished the house.
1 Kings 12:33
Verse Concepts
Then he went up to the altar which he had made in Bethel on the fifteenth day in the eighth
month, even in the month which he had devised in his own heart; and he instituted a feast for the
sons of Israel and went up to the altar to burn incense.
1 Kings 16:32
Verse Concepts
So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria.
2 Kings 16:11
So Urijah the priest built an altar; according to all that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus,
thus Urijah the priest made it, before the coming of King Ahaz from Damascus.
2 Chronicles 28:24
Verse Concepts
Moreover, when Ahaz gathered together the utensils of the house of God, he cut the utensils of
the house of God in pieces; and he closed the doors of the house of the Lord and made altars for
himself in every corner of Jerusalem.
2 Kings 21:3
Verse Concepts
For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars
for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of
heaven and served them.
2 Kings 21:4
Verse Concepts
He built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem I will put
My name.”
2 Kings 21:5
Verse Concepts
For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.
2 Kings 23:12
Verse Concepts
The altars which were on the roof, the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had
made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord, the
king broke down; and he smashed them there and threw their dust into the brook Kidron.
2 Chronicles 33:3
For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he also erected
altars for the Baals and made Asherim, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them.
2 Chronicles 33:4
He built altars in the house of the Lord of which the Lord had said, “My name shall be in
Jerusalem forever.”
2 Chronicles 33:5
Verse Concepts
For he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 33:15
Verse Concepts
He also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord, as well as all the
altars which he had built on the mountain of the house of the Lord and in Jerusalem, and he
threw them outside the city.
Bible Theasaurus
Altars (56 instances)
Building (282 instances)
1 Bible Verses about Altars, Pagan
1 Kings 16:32
Verse Concepts
So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria.
2 Kings 23:15
Verse Concepts
Furthermore, the altar that was at Bethel and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat,
who made Israel sin, had made, even that altar and the high place he broke down. Then he
demolished its stones, ground them to dust, and burned the Asherah.
Hosea 8:11
Verse Concepts
Since Ephraim has multiplied altars for sin,They have become altars of sinning for him.
Hosea 10:1
Verse Concepts
Israel is a luxuriant vine;He produces fruit for himself.The more his fruit,The more altars he
made;The richer his land,The better he made the sacred pillars.
2 Kings 16:10
Verse Concepts
Now King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria, and saw the altar
which was at Damascus; and King Ahaz sent to Urijah the priest the pattern of the altar and its
model, according to all its workmanship.
0 seconds of 1 minute, 23 secondsVolume 0%Next Up01:14
Deuteronomy 12:2-3
You shall utterly destroy all the places where the nations whom you shall dispossess serve
their gods, on the high mountains and on the hills and under every green tree. You shall tear
down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and burn their Asherim with fire, and you shall
cut down the engraved images of their gods and obliterate their name from that place.
2 Kings 21:3
Verse Concepts
For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he erected altars
for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of
heaven and served them.
Isaiah 17:8
Verse Concepts
He will not have regard for the altars, the work of his hands,Nor will he look to that which his
fingers have made,Even the Asherim and incense stands.
Jeremiah 11:13
Verse Concepts
For your gods are as many as your cities, O Judah; and as many as the streets of Jerusalem are
the altars you have set up to the shameful thing, altars to burn incense to Baal.
Jeremiah 19:13
Verse Concepts
The houses of Jerusalem and the houses of the kings of Judah will be defiled like the place
Topheth, because of all the houses on whose rooftops they burned sacrifices to all the heavenly
host and poured out drink offerings to other gods.”’”
Zephaniah 1:5
Verse Concepts
“And those who bow down on the housetops to the host of heaven,And those who bow down
and swear to the Lord and yet swear by Milcom,
Bible Theasaurus
Pagan (22 instances)
Related Topics
9 more topics on Altars,
4 more topics on Pagan

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An Altar Is A Raised Platform That Is Often Located at The Center or Close To The Front Pews of The Church

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An Altar Is A Raised Platform That Is Often Located at The Center or Close To The Front Pews of The Church

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An altar is a raised platform that is often located at the center or close to the

front pews of the church. The altar is a symbol of piety.

What is an altar in the Bible: Purposes and

Table of Contents Hide Contents

What is an Altar in Worship?

Spiritual Meaning of Altar

Importance Of Altars in Worship

A Place of interaction between Divine and Human

A Medium of Sacrifice and Exchange

The intersection of divine and human

A Shelter for the Redeemed

Purpose Of the Family Altar

To honor God’s Word, develop respect for it, and live by it

To establish the family in the faith, personal convictions, and doctrine

To pray over the family

To intercede for others

Purpose Of Sacrifice in the altar

Sacrifice was viewed as a gift

Sacrifice was viewed as a form of communion

Sacrifice provides expiation

Sacrifice also points the way to Jesus

Elwell, Walter A. “Entry for ‘Altar'”. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. 1997.

Hayford, Jack. A Time of Altars. Churchmedia: Jack Hayford Ministries. 2016.

Swedenborg, E. “Altars.” Bible Meanings.info: I.J. Thompson, Feb 2002.

Altar [N] [E] [S]

See also Offerings and Sacrifices; Priest, Priesthood

Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Edited by Walter A. Elwell

Elwell, Walter A. "Entry for 'Altar'". "Evangelical Dictionary of Theology". . 1997.

Bible Dictionaries - Easton's Bible Dictionary - Altar

Altar [N] [B] [S]

These dictionary topics are from

Easton, Matthew George. "Entry for Altar". "Easton's Bible Dictionary". .

Bible Dictionaries - Smith's Bible Dictionary - Altar

Altar. [N] [B] [E]

Encyclopedias - International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Altar

_I. CLASSIFICATION OF HEBREW ALTARS_

Importance of the Distinction

_II. LAY ALTARS_

2. In the Mosaic Age

3. Dangers of the Custom

4. The Mosaic Provisions

_III. HORNED ALTARS OF BURNT OFFERING_

2. The Altar of Joshua 22

3. The Altar till Solomon

4. The Horned Altar in Use

5. The Temple of Solomon

6. The Altar of Ahaz

8. The Post-exilic Altar

9. Idolatrous and Unlawful Altars

10. The Horns

_IV. ALTARS OF INCENSE_

V. RECENT ARCHAEOLOGICAL MATERIALS 1. A Gezer Altar

2. The Taanach Altar of Incense

I. Classification of Hebrew Altars.

Importance of the Distinction:

_II. Lay Altars._

2. In the Mosaic Age:

3. Dangers of the Custom:

See _HIGH PLACE_.

4. The Mosaic Provisions:

_III. Horned Altars of Burnt Offering._

1. The Tabernacle Altar:

2. The Altar of Joshua 22: