Place

Altar

वेदी·Vedi

(Heb. mizbe’ah, from a word meaning “to slay”), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (Gen. 22:9; Ezek. 6:3; 2 Kings 23:12; 16:4; 23:8; Acts 14:13). The word is used in Heb. 13:10 for the sacrifice offered upon it—the sacrifice Christ offered.

Paul found among the many altars erected in Athens one bearing the inscription, “To the unknown God” (Acts 17:23), or rather “to an [i.e., some] unknown God.” The reason for this inscription cannot now be accurately determined. It afforded the apostle the occasion of proclaiming the gospel to the “men of Athens.”

The first altar we read of is that erected by Noah (Gen. 8:20). Altars were erected by Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 13:4; 22:9), by Isaac (Gen. 26:25), by Jacob (33:20; 35:1, 3), and by Moses (Ex. 17:15, “Jehovah-nissi”).

In the tabernacle, and afterwards in the temple, two altars were erected.

(1.) The altar of burnt offering (Ex. 30:28), called also the “brasen altar” (Ex. 39:39) and “the table of the Lord” (Mal. 1:7).

This altar, as erected in the tabernacle, is described in Ex. 27:1-8. It was a hollow square, 5 cubits in length and in breadth, and 3 cubits in height. It was made of shittim wood, and was overlaid with plates of brass. Its corners were ornamented with “horns” (Ex. 29:12; Lev. 4:18).

In Ex. 27:3 the various utensils appertaining to the altar are enumerated. They were made of brass. (Comp. 1 Sam. 2:13, 14; Lev. 16:12; Num. 16:6, 7.)

In Solomon’s temple the altar was of larger dimensions (2 Chr. 4:1. Comp. 1 Kings 8:22, 64; 9:25), and was made wholly of brass, covering a structure of stone or earth. This altar was renewed by Asa (2 Chr. 15:8). It was removed by Ahaz (2 Kings 16:14), and “cleansed” by Hezekiah, in the latter part of whose reign it was rebuilt. It was finally broken up and carried away by the Babylonians (Jer. 52:17).

After the return from captivity it was re-erected (Ezra 3:3, 6) on the same place where it had formerly stood. (Comp. 1 Macc. 4:47.) When Antiochus Epiphanes pillaged Jerusalem the altar of burnt offering was taken away.

Again the altar was erected by Herod, and remained in its place till the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans (70 A.D.).

The fire on the altar was not permitted to go out (Lev. 6:9).

In the Mosque of Omar, immediately underneath the great dome, which occupies the site of the old temple, there is a rough projection of the natural rock, of about 60 feet in its extreme length, and 50 in its greatest breadth, and in its highest part about 4 feet above the general pavement. This rock seems to have been left intact when Solomon’s temple was built. It was in all probability the site of the altar of burnt offering. Underneath this rock is a cave, which may probably have been the granary of Araunah’s threshing-floor (1 Chr. 21:22).

(2.) The altar of incense (Ex. 30:1-10), called also “the golden altar” (39:38; Num. 4:11), stood in the holy place “before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony.” On this altar sweet spices were continually burned with fire taken from the brazen altar. The morning and the evening services were commenced by the high priest offering incense on this altar. The burning of the incense was a type of prayer (Ps. 141:2; Rev. 5:8; 8:3, 4).

This altar was a small movable table, made of acacia wood overlaid with gold (Ex. 37:25, 26). It was 1 cubit in length and breadth, and 2 cubits in height.

In Solomon’s temple the altar was similar in size, but was made of cedar-wood (1 Kings 6:20; 7:48) overlaid with gold. In Ezek. 41:22 it is called “the altar of wood.” (Comp. Ex. 30:1-6.)

In the temple built after the Exile the altar was restored. Antiochus Epiphanes took it away, but it was afterwards restored by Judas Maccabaeus (1 Macc. 1:23; 4:49). Among the trophies carried away by Titus on the destruction of Jerusalem the altar of incense is not found, nor is any mention made of it in Heb. 9. It was at this altar Zacharias ministered when an angel appeared to him (Luke 1:11). It is the only altar which appears in the heavenly temple (Isa. 6:6; Rev. 8:3, 4).

Source:Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)Public domain

Original language

Key verses

Also in Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)

The first altar of which we have any account is that built by Noah when he left the ark. (Genesis 8:20) In the early times altars were usually built in certain spots hallowed by religious associations, e.g., where God appeared. (Genesis 12:7; 13:18; 26:25; 35:1) Though generally erected for the offering of sacrifice, in some instances they appear to have been only memorials. (Genesis 12:7; Exodus 17:15,16) Altars were most probably originally made of earth. The law of Moses allowed them to be made of either earth or unhewn stones. (Exodus 20:24,25) I. The Altar of Burnt Offering. It differed in construction at different times. (1) In the tabernacle, (Exodus 27:1) ff.; Exod 38:1 ff., it was comparatively small and portable. In shape it was square. It as five cubits in length, the same in breadth, and three cubits high. It was made of planks of shittim (or acacia) wood overlaid with brass. The interior was hollow. (Exodus 27:8) At the four corners were four projections called horns made, like the altar itself, of shittim wood overlaid with brass, (Exodus 27:2) and to them the victim was bound when about to be sacrificed. (Psalms 118:27) Round the altar, midway between the top and bottom, ran a projecting ledge, on which perhaps the priest stood when officiating. To the outer edge of this, again, a grating or network of brass was affixed, and reached to the bottom of the altar. At the four corners of the network were four brazen rings, into which were inserted the staves by which the altar was carried. These staves were of the same material as the altar itself. As the priests were forbidden to ascend the altar by steps, (Exodus 20:26) it has been conjectured that a slope of earth led gradually up to the ledge from which they officiated. The place of the altar was at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.)” (Exodus 40:29) (2) In Solomon’s temple the altar was considerably larger in its dimensions. It differed too in the material of which it was made, being entirely of brass. (1 Kings 8:64; 2 Chronicles 7:7) It had no grating, and instead of a single gradual slope, the ascent to it was probably made by three successive platforms, to each of which it has been supposed that steps led. The altar erected by Herod in front of the temple was 15 cubits in height and 50 cubits in length and breadth. According to (Leviticus 6:12,13) a perpetual fire was to be kept burning on the altar. II. The Altar of Incense, called also the golden altar to distinguish it from the altar of burnt offering which was called the brazen altar. (Exodus 38:30) (a) That in the tabernacle was made of acacia wood, overlaid with pure gold. In shape it was square, being a cubit in length and breadth and two cubits in height. Like the altar of burnt offering it had horns at the four corners, which were of one piece with the rest of the altar. This altar stood in the holy place, “before the vail that is by the ark of the testimony.” (Exodus 30:6; 40:5) (b) The altar of Solomon’s temple was similar, (1 Kings 7:48; 1 Chronicles 28:18) but was made of cedar overlaid with gold. III. Other Altars. In (Acts 17:23) reference is made to an alter to an unknown God. There were several altars in Athens with this inscription, erected during the time of a plague. Since they knew not what god was offended and required to be propitiated.

Source: Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1863) · Public domain

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In simple words

An altar was a designated sacred place, usually a raised structure, where people in biblical times offered sacrifices, gifts, or prayers to God. It was central to worship and served as a tangible point of interaction between humanity and the divine, often for seeking forgiveness, expressing gratitude, or making covenants.

Historical context

The concept of the altar appears very early in biblical history. Noah built the first recorded altar after the flood (Genesis 8:20) to offer burnt offerings of thanksgiving. Abraham frequently built altars at significant locations where God appeared to him or where he invoked the name of the Lord, marking sacred spaces and covenant moments (Genesis 12:7-8; 13:4; 22:9). Jacob also erected altars (Genesis 35:1, 7). Under the Mosaic Law, altars became highly regulated. Detailed instructions for their construction, materials, and ceremonial use were given for the Tabernacle (Exodus 27 for the bronze altar, Exodus 30 for the golden incense altar). These structures were later replicated and expanded in Solomon's Temple. Throughout the Old Testament, the altar remained central to Israel's worship, symbolizing purification, reconciliation, and devotion. In the New Testament, while physical altars for animal sacrifice are rendered obsolete by Christ's singular sacrifice, the concept is referenced metaphorically (Hebrews 13:10 speaks of a spiritual 'altar' from which Christians partake) and symbolically, especially in the Book of Revelation, where altars appear in heavenly visions (Revelation 6:9; 8:3-5).

Cultural context

In the ancient Near East, altars were common across various cultures for religious practices, often involving animal sacrifices, food offerings, or libations to appease gods, seek favor, or divine the future. For the Israelites, altars held distinct significance within their monotheistic worship. Early altars were simple, often constructed from unhewn stones or packed earth, emphasizing accessibility and avoiding human-made embellishments that could lead to idolatry (Exodus 20:24-26). With the establishment of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, more elaborate altars were prescribed: the Altar of Burnt Offering (made of acacia wood overlaid with bronze) for animal sacrifices, and the Altar of Incense (made of acacia wood overlaid with gold) for burning aromatic incense. These altars were central to Israelite cultic life, signifying God's presence, providing a means for atonement, and acting as a focal point for communal and individual devotion. They were places where covenants were made, purified, and remembered.

Symbolism

Biblically, the altar carries rich symbolism: 1. **Divine Presence and Encounter:** Altars often marked places where God revealed Himself, signifying a meeting point between the divine and humanity (e.g., Abraham's altars). 2. **Sacrifice and Atonement:** Primarily, the altar was the site where blood sacrifices were offered, symbolizing the cost of sin and the means of propitiation, purification, and reconciliation with God. It was central to God's provision for covering sin. 3. **Worship and Consecration:** It was a place for expressing devotion, gratitude, and surrender to God through various offerings, symbolizing the consecration of life and possessions. 4. **Covenant Ratification:** Many significant covenants were established or reaffirmed at an altar, solidifying agreements between God and His people. 5. **Intercession and Prayer:** The Altar of Incense, in particular, symbolized the prayers of God's people ascending to Him (Revelation 8:3-4). 6. **Christ's Ultimate Sacrifice:** The entire sacrificial system and the altars upon which they were performed ultimately pointed to Jesus Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on the cross, which perfected all who are sanctified (Hebrews 9:26-28; 10:10-14). Christ himself is seen as the spiritual 'altar' through whom we have access to God.

For today

For Christians today, the physical altar for animal sacrifice holds no literal function, as its ultimate purpose was fulfilled in the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. His death rendered all other sacrifices for sin obsolete (Hebrews 9:11-14; 10:10-14). However, the spiritual principles represented by the altar remain profoundly relevant. Believers are called to live a life of continuous spiritual sacrifice. This involves presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1-2), offering sacrifices of praise to God through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:15), and performing good works and sharing with others, for "with such sacrifices God is pleased" (Hebrews 13:16). Our heart becomes a spiritual altar where our worship, devotion, repentance, and obedience are offered. The Christian life is one of constant self-offering, dying to self daily, and living for Christ, who is our ultimate altar and High Priest, granting us direct access to God's presence through His shed blood.

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