What other biblical figures built altars to worship God? Starting with Abram—Genesis 12:8 “From there he moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 12:8) Abram’s altar on that ridge set a pattern of pausing, piling stones, and proclaiming God’s name. Scripture shows many others doing the same. Altars before the Law • Noah – “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.” (Genesis 8:20) • Abram again – Genesis 12:7; 13:18; 22:9 • Isaac – “So Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD.” (Genesis 26:25) • Jacob – Genesis 33:20; 35:7 Altars during the Exodus era • Moses – “And Moses built an altar and named it The LORD Is My Banner.” (Exodus 17:15) – “Early the next morning he built an altar at the foot of the mountain.” (Exodus 24:4) Altars in the conquest and settlement • Joshua – “At that time Joshua built an altar on Mount Ebal to the LORD, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 8:30-31) Altars in the period of the Judges • Gideon – “So Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and called it The LORD Is Peace.” (Judges 6:24) Altars under the early monarchy • Samuel – “And there he built an altar to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 7:17) • Saul – “Then Saul built an altar to the LORD; it was the first time he had built an altar to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 14:35) • David – “And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.” (2 Samuel 24:25; cf. 1 Chronicles 21:26) Altars in the prophetic narratives • Elijah – “And he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been torn down.” (1 Kings 18:30-32) Altars after the exile • Jeshua, Zerubbabel, and the returnees – “They began to build the altar of the God of Israel to sacrifice burnt offerings on it.” (Ezra 3:2-3) Why these altars matter • Each altar marks a fresh encounter with God—salvation after the flood, covenant promises to the patriarchs, victories in battle, or national renewal. • The consistent pattern underscores Hebrews 13:8: the Lord is “the same yesterday and today and forever,” welcoming worshipers who come His way. From Noah’s post-flood thanksgiving to Ezra’s post-exilic renewal, the people of God kept stacking stones and lighting fires—visible reminders that the Lord meets repentant hearts wherever they call on His name. |
    |