In the biblical narrative, altars hold profound symbolic significance, serving as physical manifestations of spiritual truths and divine-human interaction. Throughout Scripture, altars are depicted as places of sacrifice, worship, covenant, and remembrance, each aspect contributing to a deeper understanding of God's relationship with His people.

Places of Sacrifice and Worship

Altars are primarily associated with sacrifice and worship, serving as the focal point where individuals and communities offer their devotion to God. In Genesis 8:20, Noah builds an altar to the LORD after the flood, offering burnt offerings of clean animals and birds. This act of worship signifies gratitude and reverence, acknowledging God's deliverance and mercy. Similarly, in Genesis 22:9, Abraham constructs an altar on Mount Moriah, where he prepares to sacrifice his son Isaac in obedience to God's command. This altar becomes a symbol of faith and submission, illustrating the ultimate act of worship through obedience.

Covenant and Divine Encounter

Altars also symbolize covenant and divine encounter. In Genesis 12:7, the LORD appears to Abram and promises to give his descendants the land of Canaan. In response, Abram builds an altar to the LORD, marking the place of divine promise and establishing a covenantal relationship. This act of altar-building signifies a tangible acknowledgment of God's promises and a commitment to His covenant. Similarly, in Exodus 24:4, Moses builds an altar at the foot of Mount Sinai and offers sacrifices as part of the covenant ceremony between God and Israel. The altar here represents the binding agreement and the sacred relationship between God and His chosen people.

Remembrance and Memorial

Altars serve as memorials, reminding future generations of God's faithfulness and mighty acts. In Joshua 4:5-7, after crossing the Jordan River, the Israelites are instructed to take twelve stones from the riverbed and set them up as a memorial. Although not explicitly called an altar, this stone memorial functions similarly, serving as a reminder of God's miraculous provision and guidance. In this context, altars and memorials are intertwined, both serving to commemorate divine intervention and to instruct future generations in the faithfulness of God.

Purity and Holiness

The construction and use of altars also emphasize the themes of purity and holiness. In Exodus 20:24-26, God instructs the Israelites to build altars of earth or uncut stones, avoiding the use of tools that would profane them. This directive underscores the sanctity of the altar as a place set apart for divine worship, free from human manipulation or corruption. The altar's purity reflects the holiness required in approaching God, emphasizing the need for reverence and sanctification in worship.

Christ as the Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the symbolism of altars finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 13:10 speaks of an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat, alluding to the sacrificial work of Christ. Jesus, as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfills the symbolic role of the altar, offering Himself once for all to atone for sin. This fulfillment highlights the transition from the physical altars of the Old Testament to the spiritual reality of Christ's redemptive work, emphasizing the continuity and culmination of God's salvific plan.

In summary, altars in the Bible symbolize sacrifice, worship, covenant, remembrance, purity, and ultimately point to the redemptive work of Christ. They serve as tangible expressions of faith, devotion, and divine encounter, reflecting the multifaceted relationship between God and His people.