The altar holds a central place in biblical worship and theology, serving as a focal point for sacrifice, worship, and communion with God. Throughout the Scriptures, the altar is depicted as a sacred space where humanity encounters the divine, offering a tangible representation of spiritual truths.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, altars were primarily used for sacrifices and offerings to God. The first mention of an altar is found in Genesis 8:20, where Noah builds an altar to the LORD after the flood and offers burnt offerings. This act of worship signifies gratitude and a renewed covenant relationship with God.

The patriarchs, including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, also built altars as acts of worship and markers of divine encounters. For instance, in Genesis 12:7, "The LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him." These altars served as memorials of God's promises and faithfulness.

The Mosaic Law further institutionalized the use of altars, particularly with the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The altar of burnt offering, located in the Tabernacle's courtyard, was central to Israel's sacrificial system. Leviticus 1:9 describes the burnt offering as "a pleasing aroma to the LORD," highlighting the altar's role in atonement and reconciliation.

Symbolism and Function

The altar symbolizes several key theological concepts. Firstly, it represents sacrifice and atonement. The shedding of blood on the altar foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). The altar thus prefigures the cross, where the final and perfect sacrifice was made.

Secondly, the altar signifies worship and devotion. It is a place where individuals and the community express their reverence and submission to God. The act of offering sacrifices on the altar is an acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and holiness.

Thirdly, the altar serves as a point of divine-human interaction. It is where God meets with His people, as seen in Exodus 29:42, "There I will meet with you and speak to you." The altar is a place of prayer, intercession, and divine revelation.

New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the physical altar is transcended by the spiritual reality it represents. Jesus Christ fulfills the sacrificial system, rendering the need for continual animal sacrifices obsolete. Hebrews 13:10 states, "We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat." This verse underscores the new covenant established through Christ's sacrifice.

The concept of the altar also extends to the believer's life. Romans 12:1 exhorts Christians to "offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship." Here, the altar becomes a metaphor for a life dedicated to God, marked by holiness and service.

Eschatological Perspective

In the book of Revelation, the altar appears in the heavenly vision, symbolizing the prayers of the saints and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. Revelation 8:3-4 describes an angel with a golden censer at the altar, where "the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God." This imagery reinforces the altar's role in worship and intercession, extending into the eternal realm.

The significance of the altar, therefore, spans the entirety of Scripture, from the patriarchal altars to the heavenly altar in Revelation. It encapsulates themes of sacrifice, worship, and divine encounter, pointing ultimately to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the believer's call to live a life of sacrificial devotion.