Altar

In biblical tradition, the altar is a sacred structure used for offering sacrifices and worship to God. The concept of the altar is deeply rooted in the history and religious practices of the Israelites, serving as a focal point for divine-human interaction. The Hebrew word for altar, "mizbeach," is derived from the root "zabach," meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice."

Old Testament Altars

The first mention of an altar in the Bible is found in Genesis 8:20, where Noah builds an altar to the LORD after the flood: "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. Taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar" . This act of worship and thanksgiving set a precedent for future generations.

The patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also constructed altars as they journeyed through the land. Abraham built altars at Shechem (Genesis 12:7), Bethel (Genesis 12:8), and Moriah (Genesis 22:9), where he was tested by God to sacrifice his son Isaac. These altars symbolized covenantal relationships and divine promises.

Under the Mosaic Law, the altar became a central element in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The altar of burnt offering, made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, was located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:1-8). It was used for daily sacrifices, sin offerings, and other ritualistic purposes. The altar of incense, placed inside the Holy Place, was used for burning incense as a symbol of prayer ascending to God (Exodus 30:1-10).

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, the concept of the altar is transformed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The physical altars of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Hebrews 13:10-12 states, "We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat. The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate, to sanctify the people by His own blood" .

The altar in the New Testament context is not a physical structure but a spiritual reality, where believers offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

Sacrifice

Old Testament Sacrifices

Sacrifices in the Old Testament were integral to the worship and religious life of Israel. They served as a means of atonement, thanksgiving, and communion with God. The Levitical system outlined various types of sacrifices, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings (Leviticus 1-7).

The burnt offering, or "olah," was entirely consumed by fire, symbolizing total dedication to God. The sin offering, or "chattat," was made to atone for unintentional sins, while the guilt offering, or "asham," addressed specific transgressions requiring restitution.

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, was the pinnacle of the sacrificial system, where the high priest entered the Holy of Holies to offer sacrifices for the sins of the nation (Leviticus 16).

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals that the sacrificial system was a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. John the Baptist proclaimed Jesus as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). Christ's death on the cross fulfilled the requirements of the Law, providing a once-for-all atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:10).

Believers are called to offer spiritual sacrifices, such as praise, good works, and sharing with others (Hebrews 13:15-16). The sacrificial love of Christ compels Christians to live sacrificially, following His example of self-giving love (Ephesians 5:2).

In summary, the altar and sacrifice are central themes in the biblical narrative, pointing to the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the necessity of atonement. Through the lens of the New Testament, these elements find their ultimate expression in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, inviting believers into a life of worship and sacrificial service.