What does the Bible say about altars?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that altars were appointed places of worship, sacrifice, thanksgiving, and remembrance before God, yet they also required reverence and obedience to his revealed will. In Exodus 20:24-26, the Lord permits an altar of earth or uncut stones, rejecting human pride and artistry as a basis for approaching him. Deuteronomy 27:5-6 likewise calls for whole stones, emphasizing wholehearted worship. Judges 6:19-21 and 13:19-20 show God receiving offerings and confirming his mercy through the angel of the Lord. Isaiah 65:3 warns that altars can become occasions for provoking God when worship follows human invention. These patterns ultimately point to Christ, whose once-for-all sacrifice is the true basis of access to God.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Designed for sacrifice Exodus 20:24
- To be made of earth, or unhewn stone Exodus 20:24; Exodus 20:25; Deuteronomy 27:5; Deuteronomy 27:6
- Of brick, hateful to God Isaiah 65:3
- Natural rocks sometimes used as Judges 6:19-21; Judges 13:19; Judges 13:20
- Were not to have steps up to them Exodus 20:26
- For idolatrous worship, often erected on roofs of houses 2 Kings 23:12; Jeremiah 19:13; Jeremiah 32:29
- Idolaters planted groves near Judges 6:30; 1 Kings 16:32; 1 Kings 16:33; 2 Kings 21:3
- The Jews not to plant groves near Deuteronomy 16:21
- For idolatrous worship, to be destroyed Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5
- Probable origin of inscriptions on Deuteronomy 27:8
- Mentioned in scripture
- Of Noah Genesis 8:20
- Of Abraham Genesis 12:7; Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:18; Genesis 22:9
- Of Isaac Genesis 26:25
- Of Jacob Genesis 33:20; Genesis 35:1; Genesis 35:3; Genesis 35:7
- Of Moses Exodus 17:15; Exodus 24:4
- Of Balaam Numbers 23:1; Numbers 23:14; Numbers 23:29
- Of Joshua Joshua 8:30; Joshua 8:31
- Of the temple of Solomon 2 Chronicles 4:1; 2 Chronicles 4:19
- Of the second temple Ezra 3:2; Ezra 3:3
- Of Reubenites, &c east of Jordan Joshua 22:10
- Of Gideon Judges 6:26; Judges 6:27
- Of the people of Israel Judges 21:4
- Of Samuel 1 Samuel 7:17
- Of David 2 Samuel 24:21; 2 Samuel 24:25
- Of Jeroboam at Bethel 1 Kings 12:33
- Of Ahaz 2 Kings 16:10-12
- Of the Athenians Acts 17:23
- For burnt-offering Exodus 27:1-8
- For incense Exodus 30:1-6
- Protection afforded by 1 Kings 1:50; 1 Kings 1:51
- Afforded no protection to murderers Exodus 21:14; 1 Kings 2:18-34
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