The altars of Bethel hold significant historical and theological importance in the biblical narrative, serving as sites of worship, revelation, and apostasy. Bethel, meaning "House of God," is first mentioned in Genesis and is located approximately 10 miles north of Jerusalem. It is a place where patriarchs encountered God and where later generations would fall into idolatry.

Patriarchal Encounters

The first notable mention of Bethel occurs in Genesis 12:8, where Abram (later Abraham) builds an altar to the LORD after receiving the promise of land and descendants. This act of worship signifies Abram's faith and obedience. Later, in Genesis 28:10-22, Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, has a dream at Bethel in which he sees a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending. Upon waking, Jacob declares, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it" (Genesis 28:16). He sets up a stone pillar, anoints it with oil, and names the place Bethel, vowing to return and build an altar if God brings him back safely.

Jacob fulfills this vow in Genesis 35:1-7, where God commands him to go to Bethel and build an altar. Jacob instructs his household to purify themselves and put away foreign gods, underscoring the altar's role as a place of covenant renewal and exclusive worship of Yahweh. The altar at Bethel thus becomes a symbol of divine encounter and commitment to God's promises.

Bethel in the Divided Kingdom

The significance of Bethel shifts dramatically during the period of the divided kingdom. After the northern tribes secede under Jeroboam I, Bethel becomes a center of idolatrous worship. To prevent his subjects from returning to Jerusalem, Jeroboam sets up golden calves in Bethel and Dan, declaring, "Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt" (1 Kings 12:28). He builds an altar at Bethel and institutes a festival, leading Israel into sin.

This apostasy is condemned by the prophets. In 1 Kings 13, a man of God from Judah prophesies against the altar at Bethel, foretelling its destruction by King Josiah. The altar is desecrated when the bones of the dead are burned upon it, fulfilling the prophecy. Amos, a prophet from the southern kingdom, also denounces the idolatry at Bethel, warning of impending judgment (Amos 3:14, 5:5-6).

Restoration and Judgment

Despite its association with idolatry, Bethel remains a place of spiritual significance. In 2 Kings 23:15-20, King Josiah, in his reform efforts, destroys the altar at Bethel, fulfilling the prophecy given centuries earlier. This act symbolizes the eradication of false worship and the restoration of true devotion to Yahweh.

The altars of Bethel thus serve as a powerful reminder of the tension between faithfulness and apostasy. They highlight the importance of worshiping God in truth and the consequences of turning away from His commandments. Throughout the biblical narrative, Bethel stands as a testament to God's desire for a covenant relationship with His people and the dangers of compromising that relationship through idolatry.