The "Horns of the Altar" is a term that appears in various passages of the Old Testament, referring to the projections or extensions at the four corners of the altar used in the tabernacle and later in the temple. These horns were integral to the altar's design and held significant religious and symbolic meaning in ancient Israelite worship practices.

Biblical Description and Function

The horns of the altar are first mentioned in the instructions given to Moses for the construction of the altar of burnt offering in the tabernacle. In Exodus 27:2 , it is stated, "Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze." Similarly, the altar of incense, located inside the tabernacle, also had horns, as described in Exodus 30:2 : "Its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you are to overlay it with pure gold."

The horns served both a practical and symbolic purpose. Practically, they were used in the ritual of atonement, where the blood of the sacrificial animal was applied to the horns as part of the purification process. Leviticus 4:7 describes this practice: "The priest must apply some of the blood to the horns of the altar of fragrant incense before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting."

Symbolism and Significance

Symbolically, the horns of the altar represented strength and power, as horns are often associated with these attributes in biblical literature. They were seen as a place of refuge and protection. This is evident in the narrative of Adonijah, who, fearing for his life, took hold of the horns of the altar, seeking asylum (1 Kings 1:50): "But Adonijah, in fear of Solomon, got up and went to take hold of the horns of the altar."

The horns also symbolized the presence and authority of God, as they were part of the sacred altar where sacrifices were made to atone for the sins of the people. The act of applying blood to the horns signified the transfer of sin and the seeking of divine mercy and forgiveness.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the horns of the altar underscore the importance of sacrifice and atonement in the relationship between God and His people. They highlight the necessity of bloodshed for the remission of sins, a theme that is central to the sacrificial system of the Old Testament and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the New Testament through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The concept of seeking refuge at the horns of the altar also points to the broader biblical theme of God as a sanctuary and protector for those who seek Him. This imagery is echoed in the Psalms, where God is often described as a refuge and fortress for the faithful.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, altars with horns were not unique to Israel but were common in various cultures. However, the specific instructions and uses given in the Mosaic Law set the Israelite altars apart, emphasizing their role in the covenant relationship between God and Israel.

The horns of the altar, therefore, serve as a powerful symbol within the biblical narrative, representing both the justice and mercy of God, the seriousness of sin, and the provision of atonement through sacrifice.Horns of the Altar

HORNS OF THE ALTAR

(qare-noth ha-mizbeach):

1. The Brazen Altar:

These projections at the four corners of the altar of burnt offering were of one piece with the altar, and were made of acacia wood overlaid with brass (Exodus 27:2, "bronze"). In Ezekiel's altar-specifications their position is described as being on a level with the altar hearth (Ezekiel 43:15). Fugitives seeking asylum might cling to the horns of the altar, as did Adonijah (1 Kings 1:50), which is one proof among many that worshippers had at all times access to the neighborhood of the altar. On certain occasions, as at the consecration of Aaron and his sons (Exodus 29:12), and a sin offering for one of the people of the land (Leviticus 4:30), the horns were touched with sacrificial blood.

2. The Golden Altar:

The altar of incense, standing in the outer chamber of the sanctuary, had also four horns, which were covered with gold (Exodus 37:25). These were touched with blood in the case of a sin offering for a high priest, or for the whole congregation, if they had sinned unwittingly (Leviticus 4:7, 18).

See ALTAR; HORN.

W. Shaw Caldecott

2768. keras -- a horn
... a horn Definition: (a) a horn, (b) a horn-like projection at the corner of an altar,
(c) a ... word Definition a horn NASB Word Usage horn (1), horns (10). horn. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2768.htm - 6k7161. qeren -- a horn
... an unused word Definition a horn NASB Word Usage hill (1), horn (24), horns (46),
might (1 ... An elephant's tooth (ie Ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a ...
/hebrew/7161.htm - 6k

The Horns of the Altar
... The Horns of the Altar. A Sermon (No.1826). ... He did not know where to fly except he
fled to the horns of an altar, which he had very seldom approached before. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/the horns of the altar.htm

Sin's Writing and Its Erasure
... It is also written on the stone horns of the altar, with a diamond which can cut
the rock (an illustration of ancient knowledge of the properties of the diamond ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/sins writing and its erasure.htm

The Grasp that Brings Peace
... There may be some mingling of an allusion to the fugitive's taking hold of the horns
of the altar, and so being safe from the vengeance of his pursuers. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the grasp that brings peace.htm

How Solomon Became the Ruler of Israel
... And they were terrified and each rose up and went away. But Adonijah in his fear
of Solomon went and caught hold of the horns of the altar. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/how solomon became the ruler.htm

The Memorable Hymn. "And when they had Sung an Hymn, they Went Out ...
... think you hear the Lord Himself singing them, "God is the Lord, which hath shewed
us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the memorable hymn and when.htm

Faith Illustrated
... You know how Joab, when he fled from the sword of Solomon, laid hold on the horns
of the altar, thinking that surely when he had laid hold on the altar he was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/faith illustrated.htm

Bound to the Altar
... IX Bound to the Altar. 'Bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns
of the altar.' (Psalm 118:27.). Periodically in our Halls ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/ix bound to the altar.htm

Unrestrained Communion
... gold, ever the emblem of divinity. Thus the Psalmist prayed, "Bind the
sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.". ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section vi unrestrained communion.htm

Lovest Thou Me?
... mayhap, this week; little agonising; thou hast had little of the prayer which
prevaileth; thou hast scarcely laid hold of the horns of the altar; thou hast ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/lovest thou me.htm

The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
... burnt offerings and in the other sacrifices, which had expiation for their principal
object, in some of which it was smeared on the horns of the altar, and, in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the burnt offering a picture.htm

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