Exodus 20:24
New International Version
“’Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.

New Living Translation
“Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me—your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.

English Standard Version
An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.

Berean Standard Bible
You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

King James Bible
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

New King James Version
An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.

New American Standard Bible
You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

NASB 1995
‘You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

NASB 1977
‘You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

Legacy Standard Bible
You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

Amplified Bible
You shall make an altar of earth for Me, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause My Name to be recorded and remembered [through revelation of My divine nature] I will come to you and bless you.

Christian Standard Bible
“Make an earthen altar for me, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your flocks and herds. I will come to you and bless you in every place where I cause my name to be remembered.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You must make an earthen altar for Me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats, as well as your cattle. I will come to you and bless you in every place where I cause My name to be remembered.

American Standard Version
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.

Contemporary English Version
Build an altar out of earth, and offer on it your sacrifices of sheep, goats, and cattle. Wherever I choose to be worshiped, I will come down to bless you.

English Revised Version
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in every place where I record my name I will come unto thee and I will bless thee.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"You must build an altar for me made out of dirt. Sacrifice your burnt offerings and your fellowship offerings, your sheep, goats, and cattle on it. Wherever I choose to have my name remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

Good News Translation
Make an altar of earth for me, and on it sacrifice your sheep and your cattle as offerings to be completely burned and as fellowship offerings. In every place that I set aside for you to worship me, I will come to you and bless you.

International Standard Version
You are to make an altar of earth for me, and you are to sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep, and your cattle. Everywhere I cause my name to be remembered, I'll come to you and bless you.

Majority Standard Bible
You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

NET Bible
You must make for me an altar made of earth, and you will sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I cause my name to be honored I will come to you and I will bless you.

New Heart English Bible
You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you.

Webster's Bible Translation
An altar of earth thou shalt make to me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thy oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come to thee, and I will bless thee.

World English Bible
You shall make an altar of earth for me, and shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your cattle. In every place where I record my name I will come to you and I will bless you.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You make an altar of earth for Me, and you have sacrificed on it your burnt-offerings and your peace-offerings, your flock and your herd; in every place where I cause My Name to be remembered I come to you, and have blessed you.

Young's Literal Translation
'An altar of earth thou dost make for Me, and thou hast sacrificed on it thy burnt-offerings and thy peace-offerings, thy flock and thy herd; in every place where I cause My name to be remembered I come in unto thee, and have blessed thee.

Smith's Literal Translation
An altar of earth shalt thou make to me, and sacrifice upon it thy burnt-offering and thy peace, and thy sheep and thy cattle: and in every place where I shall cause my name to be remembered, I will come to thee and bless thee.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
You shall make an altar of earth unto me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of my name shall be: I will come to thee, and will bless thee.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall make an altar from the earth for me, and you shall offer upon it your holocausts and peace-offerings, your sheep and oxen, in every place where the memory of my name shall be. I will come to you, and I will bless you.

New American Bible
An altar of earth make for me, and sacrifice upon it your burnt offerings and communion sacrifices, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be invoked I will come to you and bless you.

New Revised Standard Version
You need make for me only an altar of earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your offerings of well-being, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
An altar of earth shall you make to me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I shall make a memorial to my name I will come to you and I will bless you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
An altar of earth you shall make to me and you will offer upon it your burnt offerings and your offerings and your sheep and your oxen; in every place that you will commemorate My Name I shall come to you and I shall bless you.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto Me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come unto thee and bless thee.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Ye shall make to me an altar of earth; and upon it ye shall sacrifice your whole burnt-offerings, and your peace-offerings, and your sheep and your calves in every place, where I shall record my name; and I will come to thee and bless thee.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Altar of Sacrifice
24You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 12:5-7
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go. / To that place you are to bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and heave offerings, your vow offerings and freewill offerings, as well as the firstborn of your herds and flocks. / There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your households shall eat and rejoice in all you do, because the LORD your God has blessed you.

Leviticus 17:8-9
Tell them that if anyone from the house of Israel or any foreigner living among them offers a burnt offering or a sacrifice / but does not bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to the LORD, that man must be cut off from his people.

1 Kings 8:29-30
May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. / Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

Deuteronomy 27:5-7
Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. / You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God. / There you are to sacrifice your peace offerings, eating them and rejoicing in the presence of the LORD your God.

Genesis 12:7
Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.” So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.

Genesis 8:20
Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. And taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar.

1 Samuel 7:9-10
Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him. / As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.

2 Chronicles 7:12-16
the LORD appeared to him at night and said to him: “I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. / If I close the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people, / and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. ...

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Malachi 1:11
For My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place, incense and pure offerings will be presented in My name, because My name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD of Hosts.

Hebrews 13:10
We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.

John 4:21-24
“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Acts 7:48-50
However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.


Treasury of Scripture

An altar of earth you shall make to me, and shall sacrifice thereon your burnt offerings, and your peace offerings, your sheep, and your oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come to you, and I will bless you.

altar

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

burnt

Leviticus 1:1
And the LORD called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,

Leviticus 3:1
And if his oblation be a sacrifice of peace offering, if he offer it of the herd; whether it be a male or female, he shall offer it without blemish before the LORD.

in all places

Deuteronomy 12:5,11,21
But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: …

Deuteronomy 14:23
And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

Deuteronomy 16:5,6,11
Thou mayest not sacrifice the passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee: …

will bless thee

Genesis 12:2
And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

Numbers 6:24-27
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: …

Deuteronomy 7:13
And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

Jump to Previous
Altar Bless Burnt Burnt-Offerings Cattle Cause Earth Fellowship Goats Honored Memory Offering Offerings Oxen Peace Peace-Offerings Places Record Remembered Sacrifice Sheep Thereon Wherever
Jump to Next
Altar Bless Burnt Burnt-Offerings Cattle Cause Earth Fellowship Goats Honored Memory Offering Offerings Oxen Peace Peace-Offerings Places Record Remembered Sacrifice Sheep Thereon Wherever
Exodus 20
1. The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah
18. The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them
21. Idolatry is forbidden
23. Of what sort the altar should be














You are to make an altar of earth for Me
The instruction to make an "altar of earth" emphasizes simplicity and humility in worship. The Hebrew word for "altar" is "mizbeach," which signifies a place of sacrifice and offering. This command reflects God's desire for genuine worship that is not dependent on elaborate structures but on the heart's posture. Historically, altars were central to worship in ancient cultures, serving as a tangible connection between the divine and humanity. The use of "earth" (Hebrew: "adamah") underscores the connection to creation, reminding worshippers of their origins and dependence on God.

and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings
"Burnt offerings" (Hebrew: "olah") were offerings completely consumed by fire, symbolizing total devotion and surrender to God. "Peace offerings" (Hebrew: "shelamim") were offerings of thanksgiving and fellowship, representing reconciliation and communion with God. These offerings highlight the dual aspects of worship: complete dedication and joyful fellowship. The sacrificial system foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who fulfills and transcends these offerings.

your sheep and goats and cattle
The mention of "sheep and goats and cattle" indicates the variety of acceptable offerings, reflecting the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites. Each animal had specific symbolic meanings and uses in sacrificial practices. Sheep and goats were common sacrificial animals, representing innocence and substitution, while cattle were valuable assets, symbolizing significant sacrifice and devotion. This diversity in offerings allowed individuals of varying means to participate in worship, emphasizing inclusivity in the covenant community.

Wherever I cause My name to be remembered
The phrase "cause My name to be remembered" signifies God's presence and the establishment of His covenant relationship with His people. In Hebrew culture, a name represented one's character and authority. God's name being remembered implies His active involvement and the acknowledgment of His sovereignty. This phrase also points to the future establishment of the temple in Jerusalem, where God's name would dwell permanently.

I will come to you and bless you
The promise "I will come to you and bless you" assures the Israelites of God's presence and favor. The Hebrew word for "bless" (barak) conveys the idea of divine favor, prosperity, and well-being. This promise is contingent upon obedience and proper worship, highlighting the covenantal relationship between God and His people. The ultimate blessing is found in the presence of God Himself, which is the source of all true prosperity and peace. This assurance foreshadows the New Testament promise of God's presence through the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers.

(24) An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me.--The earliest altars were, naturally, either of earth, or of unhewn stones, gathered into a heap, since these could be constructed with little labour, and without tools. But, as civilisation advanced, more elaborate structures took the place of the primitive ones. It became usual to erect altars of hewn stone, adorned with carvings more or less rich, among which might often be introduced human and animal forms. We must understand the command here given, and that of Exodus 20:25, as intended to forbid structures of this latter kind, which, if allowed, might have led on to idolatry.

Thy burnt offerings and thy peace offerings.--Sacrifice began soon after Paradise was quitted (Genesis 4:3-4), and shortly became a universal practice. Noah offered sacrifice on leaving the ark (Genesis 8:20); and in the family of Abraham the rite was an established one (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 15:9; Genesis 22:7; Genesis 26:25; Genesis 31:54, &c.). Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Ph?nicians, Greeks, Romans, Scythians, Celts, Germans, all equally regarded sacrifice as a main element of their religion; and if the Hebrews had not offered actual sacrifices during their oppression in Egypt, they had, at any rate, maintained the wish to offer them, and it was (primarily) for the purpose of sacrificing that they had quitted Egypt. The legislation assumes that they are acquainted with the difference between "burnt offerings and "peace offerings," and desirous of offering both kinds. . . .

Verse 24. - An altar of earth. Among the nations of antiquity altars were indispensable to Divine worship, which everywhere included sacrifice. They were often provided on the spur of the occasion, and were then "constructed of earth, sods, or stones, collected upon the spot." The patriarchal altars bad probably been of this character, and it was now provided that the same usage should continue: at any rate, elaborate structures of hewn and highly ornamented stone should not be allowed, lest thus idolatry should creep in, the images engraved upon the altars becoming the objects of worship. Thy burnt offerings and thy peace offerings. The mode in which these are introduced implies that sacrifice was already a long-standing practice. The patriarchal sacrifices are well known (Genesis 8:20; Genesis 12:7; Genesis 22:9; Genesis 35:1). Jethro had recently offered sacrifice in the camp of Israel (Exodus 18:12). If the Israelites had not sacrificed to God during the sojourn in Egypt, at any rate they had kept up the idea of sacrifice; and it was for the purpose of offering sacrifices that Moses had demanded permission to go with all his nation into the wilderness. I will come unto thee and I will bless thee. The promise is conditional on the observance of the command. If the altars are rightly constructed, and proper victims offered, then, in all places where he allows the erection of an altar, God will accept the sacrifices offered upon it and bless the worshippers.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You are to make
תַּעֲשֶׂה־ (ta·‘ă·śeh-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

for Me
לִּי֒ (lî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrew

an altar
מִזְבַּ֣ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of earth,
אֲדָמָה֮ (’ă·ḏā·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 127: Ground, land

and sacrifice
וְזָבַחְתָּ֣ (wə·zā·ḇaḥ·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

on it
עָלָ֗יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your burnt offerings
עֹלֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ (‘ō·lō·ṯe·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

and peace offerings,
שְׁלָמֶ֔יךָ (šə·lā·me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 8002: A sacrifice for alliance or friendship, peace offering

your sheep and goats
צֹֽאנְךָ֖ (ṣō·nə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and cattle.
בְּקָרֶ֑ךָ (bə·qā·re·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

In every
בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

place
הַמָּקוֹם֙ (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

where
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

I cause My name
שְׁמִ֔י (šə·mî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 8034: A name

to be remembered,
אַזְכִּ֣יר (’az·kîr)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 2142: To mark, to remember, to mention, to be male

I will come
אָב֥וֹא (’ā·ḇō·w)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to you
אֵלֶ֖יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

and bless you.
וּבֵרַכְתִּֽיךָ׃ (ū·ḇê·raḵ·tî·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1288: To kneel, to bless God, man, to curse


Links
Exodus 20:24 NIV
Exodus 20:24 NLT
Exodus 20:24 ESV
Exodus 20:24 NASB
Exodus 20:24 KJV

Exodus 20:24 BibleApps.com
Exodus 20:24 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 20:24 Chinese Bible
Exodus 20:24 French Bible
Exodus 20:24 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 20:24 You shall make an altar of earth (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 20:23
Top of Page
Top of Page