Dictionary of Bible Themes A construction, usually of wood, stone or metal, for the offering of sacrifice. The conflict between true and false religion often focused on altars, which were of key significance in biblical times. Genesis 8:20Early altars built to the LORD Genesis 12:7-8; 13:18; 22:9These early altars were erected at sites where God's presence or power had been experienced. Genesis 26:25By Abraham: Genesis 33:20; 35:7by Isaac By Jacob: Exodus 17:15; 24:4Joshua 8:30 By Moses: Judges 6:24by Joshua Judges 21:4by Gideon 1 Samuel 7:17by unnamed Israelites 1 Samuel 14:35by Samuel 2 Samuel 24:25by Saul pp 1Ch 21:26 by David Exodus 27:1-8; 30:1-10; 37:25-28; 38:1-7Solomon's temple altar Hebrews 9:3-4It was preceded by the tabernacle altar of burnt offering: 1 Kings 8:22; 6:201 Kings 16:32 OT pagan altars 2 Kings 23:15A symptom of decline in the northern kingdom Hosea 8:11; 10:12 Kings 16:10 A symptom of decline in the southern kingdom 2 Kings 21:3Isaiah 17:8 ignoring the command in Dt 12:2-3 Jeremiah 11:13; 19:13Zephaniah 1:5 2 Kings 23:12 See also Josiah's reform targeted illicit altars Deuteronomy 7:5; 12:8-142 Kings 23:15-20 Josiah was implementing the law requiring sacrifice to be offered only on the altar at the sanctuary of God's choice Ezra 3:2-3The altar in the second temple See also Ezra 7:17Exodus 20:24-26 Laws concerning the altar of burnt offering Its construction See also Exodus 27:1-8; 38:1-7An earlier more basic form than in the tabernacle. No human hand was to shape the stones. Exodus 29:38-39See also Its use for the daily sacrifice Exodus 30:28Numbers 4:13; 7:10,84 1 Kings 1:50-51 See also Its use for asylum Exodus 21:141 Kings 2:28 Amos 3:14 Exodus 30:1-5 Laws concerning the incense altar See also Its construction Exodus 37:25-28Exodus 30:7 See also Its use Exodus 30:8-10Numbers 4:11 Matthew 5:23-24 Altars in the NT See also The Jerusalem temple altar Matthew 23:18-201 Corinthians 9:13; 10:18 Hebrews 7:13; 9:4 Acts 17:23 Pagan altars Hebrews 13:10The cross as an "altar" Revelation 6:9Altars in heaven Revelation 8:3The lives of martyred saints are compared to the blood of offerings poured out at the base of the altar See also Revelation 9:13; 11:1; 14:18; 16:7The prayers of God's people are like incense, offered to him on the heavenly altar. See also 2315 Christ as Lamb6614 atonement 7314 blood 7388 kinsman-redeemer 7402 offerings 7412 priesthood 7435 sacrifice, in OT 7456 synagogue 7459 tabernacle, in OT 7467 temple, Solomon's 8626 worship, places 8752 false worship |
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