The Altar of Bethel holds significant importance in biblical history, serving as a site of worship and divine encounter. Bethel, meaning "House of God," is first mentioned in the context of the patriarch Jacob. It is located in the hill country of Ephraim, approximately 12 miles north of Jerusalem. The site is associated with several key biblical events and figures, particularly in the Old Testament.

Jacob's Encounter and the First Altar

The earliest mention of Bethel as a sacred site occurs in Genesis 28. Jacob, fleeing from his brother Esau, stops for the night at a certain place. There, he dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. Upon waking, Jacob declares, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was unaware of it" (Genesis 28:16). He then sets up a stone pillar, anoints it with oil, and names the place Bethel, vowing to return and build an altar to God if he safely returns home (Genesis 28:18-22).

Years later, after reconciling with Esau, Jacob fulfills his vow. God instructs him to go to Bethel and build an altar. Jacob obeys, purifying his household from foreign gods and journeying to Bethel, where he builds an altar and calls the place El-Bethel, because God had revealed Himself to him there (Genesis 35:1-7).

The Altar in the Time of the Judges and Kings

Bethel continued to be a significant religious site during the period of the Judges and the monarchy. In Judges 20:18-28, the Israelites seek guidance from God at Bethel during their conflict with the tribe of Benjamin. The Ark of the Covenant was present there, indicating Bethel's status as a central place of worship.

The division of the united monarchy under Rehoboam and Jeroboam further elevates Bethel's prominence. Jeroboam, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel, establishes Bethel as one of two centers for worship, setting up a golden calf and building an altar there to prevent his subjects from traveling to Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:28-29). This act of idolatry is condemned by the prophets and becomes a symbol of Israel's apostasy.

Prophetic Condemnation and Destruction

The prophets Amos and Hosea speak against the idolatrous practices at Bethel. Amos refers to Bethel as a place of transgression, warning of its impending judgment (Amos 3:14, 5:5). Hosea echoes this sentiment, lamenting the spiritual adultery of Israel and the futility of their sacrifices at Bethel (Hosea 10:15).

The prophecy of Bethel's destruction is fulfilled during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. In his religious reforms, Josiah desecrates the altar at Bethel, burning human bones on it to defile it, as prophesied by the man of God from Judah (2 Kings 23:15-16). This act signifies the end of Bethel's role as a center of idolatrous worship.

Significance in Biblical Theology

The Altar of Bethel serves as a powerful symbol of both divine encounter and human rebellion. It is a place where God reveals Himself to Jacob, affirming His covenant promises. Yet, it also becomes a site of idolatry and apostasy under Jeroboam, illustrating the tension between true worship and false religion. The history of Bethel's altar underscores the biblical theme of God's desire for pure worship and the consequences of turning away from Him.