Dictionary of Bible Themes: 7302 altar

7302 altar

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 7000 God's people » 7300 Institutions and culture of OT » 7302 altar

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.

Early altars built to the LORD

Genesis 8:20 These early altars were erected at sites where God's presence or power had been experienced.

By Abraham:

Genesis 12:7-8; Genesis 13:18; Genesis 22:9 Genesis 26:25 by Isaac

By Jacob:

Genesis 33:20; Genesis 35:7

By Moses:

Exodus 17:15; Exodus 24:4 Joshua 8:30 by Joshua; Judges 6:24 by Gideon; Judges 21:4 by unnamed Israelites; 1 Samuel 7:17 by Samuel; 1 Samuel 14:35 by Saul; 2 Samuel 24:25 pp 1 Chronicles 21:26 by David

Solomon's temple altar

It was preceded by the tabernacle altar of burnt offering:

Exodus 27:1-8; Exodus 30:1-10; Exodus 37:25-28; Exodus 38:1-7; Hebrews 9:3-4 1 Kings 8:22; Kings 6:20

OT pagan altars

A symptom of decline in the northern kingdom

1 Kings 16:32; 2 Kings 23:15; Hosea 8:11; Hosea 10:1

A symptom of decline in the southern kingdom

2 Kings 16:10 ignoring the command in Dt 12:2-3; 2 Kings 21:3; Isaiah 17:8; Jeremiah 11:13; Jeremiah 19:13; Zephaniah 1:5

Josiah's reform targeted illicit altars

2 Kings 23:12 See also Deuteronomy 7:5; Deuteronomy 12:8-14 Josiah was implementing the law requiring sacrifice to be offered only on the altar at the sanctuary of God's choice; 2 Kings 23:15-20

The altar in the second temple

Ezra 3:2-3 See also Ezra 7:17

Laws concerning the altar of burnt offering

Its construction

Exodus 20:24-26 An earlier more basic form than in the tabernacle. No human hand was to shape the stones. See also Exodus 27:1-8; Exodus 38:1-7

Its use for the daily sacrifice

Exodus 29:38-39 See also Exodus 30:28; Numbers 4:13; Numbers 7:10,84

Its use for asylum

1 Kings 1:50-51 See also Exodus 21:14; 1 Kings 2:28; Amos 3:14

Laws concerning the incense altar

Its construction

Exodus 30:1-5 See also Exodus 37:25-28

Its use

Exodus 30:7 See also Exodus 30:8-10; Numbers 4:11

Altars in the NT

The Jerusalem temple altar

Matthew 5:23-24 See also Matthew 23:18-20; 1 Corinthians 9:13; Corinthians 10:18; Hebrews 7:13; Hebrews 9:4

Pagan altars

Acts 17:23

The cross as an “altar”

Hebrews 13:10

Altars in heaven

Revelation 6:9 The lives of martyred saints are compared to the blood of offerings poured out at the base of the altar ; Revelation 8:3 The prayers of God's people are like incense, offered to him on the heavenly altar. See also Revelation 9:13; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:7