Lexical Summary thusiastérion: Altar Original Word: θυσιαστήριον Strong's Exhaustive Concordance altar. From a derivative of thusia; a place of sacrifice, i.e. An altar (special or genitive case, literal or figurative) -- altar. see GREEK thusia HELPS Word-studies 2379 thysiastḗrion – altar; (figuratively) the meeting place between God and the true worshiper; (figuratively) the "place" of consecration, where the Lord meets and communes with the sincere believer. 2379 /thysiastḗrion ("a sacred altar") is formed (present) anywhere the believer hears from God and does what they hear (lives in faith). Accordingly, 2379 (thysiastḗrion) and faith (4102 /pístis, "the Lord's inbirthed persuasion") are directly connected (Js 2:21-24). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a derivation of thusia and -térion (suff. denoting place) Definition an altar NASB Translation altar (23), altars (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2379: θυσιαστήριονθυσιαστήριον, θυσιαστηρίου, τό (neuter of the adjective θυσιαστηριος (cf. Winer's Grammar, 96 (91)), and this from θυσιάζω to sacrifice), a word found only in Philo (e. g. vita Moys. iii. § 10, cf. § 7; Josephus, Antiquities 8, 4, 1) and the Biblical and ecclesiastical writings; the Sept. times without number for מִזְבֵּחַ; properly, an altar for the slaying and burning of victims; used of: 1. the altar of whole burnt-offerings which stood in the court of the priests in the temple at Jerusalem (B. D. under the word 2. the altar of incense, which stood in the sanctuary or Holy place (B. D. as above): τό θυσιαστήριον τοῦ θυμιάματος, Luke 1:11 (Exodus 30:1); (symbolically) in Heaven: Revelation 6:9; Revelation 8:3, 5; Revelation 9:13; Revelation 14:18; Revelation 16:7. 3. any other altar, James 2:21; plural Romans 11:3; metaphorically, the cross on which Christ suffered an expiatory death: to eat of this altar i. e. to appropriate to oneself the fruits of Christ's expiatory death, Hebrews 13:10. Strong’s Greek 2379 designates the “altar,” the place where sacrifices or offerings are presented to God. The term appears twenty-three times in the Greek New Testament, covering earthly altars in the Jerusalem temple, patriarchal altars, and the heavenly altar in Revelation. Background in the Old Testament Although the word itself is Greek, it consistently translates the Hebrew “mizbeach” in the Septuagint, rooting it in the long history of divinely-appointed sacrifice: Noah’s post-flood altar (Genesis 8), Abraham’s covenant altar (Genesis 12; 22), and the bronze and golden altars of the Mosaic tabernacle (Exodus 27; 30). Every appearance of θυσιαστήριον in the New Testament presupposes this heritage of blood atonement, covenant sealing, thanksgiving, and worship. Altar in Second Temple Judaism By the New Testament era the centerpiece was the great altar of burnt offering that stood before the temple sanctuary. Daily tamid sacrifices, festival offerings, and individual sin offerings were all made there. Priests lived “from the altar” in accordance with Numbers 18:8-19, a reality Paul alludes to in 1 Corinthians 9:13: “Do you not know that those who serve in the temple eat of its food, and those who attend to the altar share in what is offered on it?”. Teachings of Jesus concerning the Altar Jesus affirmed the altar’s sanctity yet redirected focus from ritual to heart obedience. In the Sermon on the Mount He taught reconciliation before sacrifice: “Therefore if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar” (Matthew 5:23-24). In Matthew 23:18-20 He rebuked legalists who swore by temple gold while minimizing the altar that “sanctifies the gift,” insisting that the greater reality is God Himself who dwells there. Pauline Reflections on the Altar Paul employs the altar imagery for two purposes. First, in Romans 11:3 he quotes Elijah’s lament, “They have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars,” to show Israel’s historic rejection of God’s messengers. Second, in 1 Corinthians 10:18 he contrasts Israel’s sacrificial fellowship with idolatrous altars at pagan feasts, warning believers not to partake of “the table of demons.” The altar therefore illustrates either covenant communion or illicit compromise. The Altar in Hebrews and the New Covenant Hebrews presents the climactic revelation: Jesus’ death fulfills and surpasses the old altar system. Hebrews 7:13 notes that Jesus, from the tribe of Judah, had no Levitical right to ministry “at the altar,” signaling the abolition of earthly priestly restrictions. Hebrews 13:10 then proclaims, “We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat.” The “altar” is the cross—Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice that grants believers free access to God. James and the Example of Abraham James 2:21 recalls Abraham who “offered his son Isaac on the altar,” proving that genuine faith produces obedient works. The altar thus becomes a tangible demonstration of living faith, foreshadowing the Father’s offering of the Son. Altar Imagery in Revelation Revelation translates earthly patterns into heavenly reality: Theological Significance 1. Substitution and Atonement: Every altar scene converges on Jesus Christ, “the Lamb who was slain.” Practical Ministry Applications • Reconciliation precedes worship; unresolved offense hinders effective ministry (Matthew 5:23-24). Related Concepts and Distinctions Altar (θυσιαστήριον) is distinct from “table” (τράπεζα) though connected (1 Corinthians 10:21). It is likewise distinct from “place of prayer” or “sanctuary” (ναός). In Christ, the physical altar’s essence persists, but its form transitions from stone and bronze to the cross and the gathered church where “living stones” offer “spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 5:23 N-ANSGRK: ἐπὶ τὸ θυσιαστήριον κἀκεῖ μνησθῇς NAS: your offering at the altar, and there KJV: to the altar, and there INT: at the altar and there shall remember Matthew 5:24 N-GNS Matthew 23:18 N-DNS Matthew 23:19 N-NNS Matthew 23:20 N-DNS Matthew 23:35 N-GNS Luke 1:11 N-GNS Luke 11:51 N-GNS Romans 11:3 N-ANP 1 Corinthians 9:13 N-DNS 1 Corinthians 9:13 N-DNS 1 Corinthians 10:18 N-GNS Hebrews 7:13 N-DNS Hebrews 13:10 N-ANS James 2:21 N-ANS Revelation 6:9 N-GNS Revelation 8:3 N-GNS Revelation 8:3 N-ANS Revelation 8:5 N-GNS Revelation 9:13 N-GNS Revelation 11:1 N-ANS Revelation 14:18 N-GNS Revelation 16:7 N-GNS Strong's Greek 2379 |
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