Altars in the Bible serve as significant structures for worship, sacrifice, and remembrance. They are often constructed as a means to honor God, commemorate divine encounters, or offer sacrifices. The first mention of an altar is found in Genesis 8:20, where Noah builds an altar to the LORD after the flood: "Then Noah built an altar to the LORD. Taking from every kind of clean animal and clean bird, he offered burnt offerings on the altar" .

Throughout the Old Testament, altars are central to the worship practices of the Israelites. The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, frequently built altars to mark significant encounters with God. For instance, in Genesis 12:7, Abraham constructs an altar at Shechem after God promises the land to his descendants: "The LORD appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him" .

The Mosaic Law further institutionalizes the use of altars, particularly with the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. The altar of burnt offering, located in the Tabernacle's courtyard, is described in detail in Exodus 27:1-8. It serves as the primary site for sacrifices, symbolizing atonement and dedication to God. The altar of incense, placed inside the Holy Place, is used for burning incense as a representation of prayers ascending to God (Exodus 30:1-10).

Altars also play a role in the prophetic literature, often symbolizing the people's faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. The prophets frequently call for the destruction of altars dedicated to false gods, emphasizing the need for exclusive worship of Yahweh. For example, in 1 Kings 18, Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, challenging the Israelites to choose between Yahweh and Baal. After God answers Elijah's prayer with fire, the people seize the prophets of Baal, and Elijah repairs the altar of the LORD that had been torn down (1 Kings 18:30-39).

Asherah Poles

Asherah poles are wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often mentioned in the context of idolatry in the Old Testament. These poles are typically erected beside altars dedicated to Baal, reflecting the syncretistic practices that plagued Israel throughout its history.

The presence of Asherah poles among the Israelites is a recurring issue, as they represent a departure from the exclusive worship of Yahweh. In Deuteronomy 16:21, the Israelites are explicitly commanded not to set up Asherah poles: "Do not set up any wooden Asherah pole beside the altar you build to the LORD your God" . This command underscores the importance of maintaining purity in worship and avoiding the influence of surrounding pagan cultures.

Despite these clear instructions, the Israelites frequently fall into the practice of erecting Asherah poles, leading to divine judgment and calls for repentance. Judges 3:7 notes, "And the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD. They forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs" . This pattern of idolatry and subsequent repentance is a central theme in the historical books of the Old Testament.

Reformist kings, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, take significant steps to eradicate Asherah poles and restore proper worship. 2 Kings 18:4 records Hezekiah's efforts: "He removed the high places, shattered the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles" . Josiah's reforms are even more extensive, as described in 2 Kings 23:6: "He brought the Asherah pole from the house of the LORD to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem, and there he burned it, ground it to powder, and threw its dust on the graves of the common people" .

The struggle against the worship of Asherah and the use of Asherah poles highlights the ongoing battle for the hearts and minds of the Israelites, emphasizing the need for fidelity to the covenant with Yahweh.