Topical Bible: Altar: Built by Abraham

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The altars built by Abraham hold significant importance in biblical history, serving as physical manifestations of his faith and obedience to God. These altars are not merely structures for sacrifice but are symbolic of Abraham's covenant relationship with God and his role as the patriarch of the Israelite nation.

1. Altar at Shechem (Genesis 12:6-7):
The first altar Abraham built was at Shechem, in the land of Canaan. After God called Abram (later named Abraham) to leave his homeland and journey to a land that He would show him, Abram traveled to the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. It was here that the LORD appeared to Abram and promised, "To your offspring I will give this land" (Genesis 12:7). In response to this divine promise, Abram built an altar to the LORD, marking the land as a place of worship and acknowledging God's promise.

2. Altar between Bethel and Ai (Genesis 12:8):
After departing from Shechem, Abram moved to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. Here, he built another altar to the LORD and called upon the name of the LORD (Genesis 12:8). This act of building an altar and calling on God's name signifies Abram's continued devotion and reliance on God as he journeyed through the land.

3. Altar at Hebron (Genesis 13:18):
Following a period of strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot, Abram settled in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron. There, he built an altar to the LORD (Genesis 13:18). This altar was constructed after God reiterated His promise to Abram, assuring him that all the land he could see would be given to him and his descendants forever. The altar at Hebron thus represents Abram's faith in God's promises and his commitment to worshiping the LORD in the land that was to be his inheritance.

4. Altar on Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:9):
Perhaps the most significant altar built by Abraham is the one on Mount Moriah, where he was tested by God. In a profound act of faith and obedience, Abraham prepared to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering, as God had commanded. "When they arrived at the place that God had designated, Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood. He bound his son Isaac and placed him on the altar, atop the wood" (Genesis 22:9). This altar is a powerful testament to Abraham's unwavering faith and trust in God, even in the face of incomprehensible demands. Ultimately, God provided a ram as a substitute for Isaac, reaffirming His covenant with Abraham and foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The altars built by Abraham are more than mere historical artifacts; they are enduring symbols of faith, obedience, and the covenant relationship between God and His chosen people. Through these altars, Abraham not only worshiped God but also established a legacy of faith that would be carried on by his descendants.

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Genesis 12:7,8
And the LORD appeared to Abram, and said, To your seed will I give this land: and there built he an altar to the LORD, who appeared to him.
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Genesis 13:18
Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelled in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar to the LORD.
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Genesis 22:9
And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar on the wood.
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Library

The Story of Abraham and Isaac
... The place where this altar was built Abraham named Jehovah-jireh, words in the
language that Abraham spoke meaning, "The Lord will provide.". ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of abraham and.htm

Abraham, the Man of Prayer
... a family altar, around which to gather his household and offer the sacrifices of
worship, of praise and of prayer. These altars built by Abraham were, first of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/prayer and praying men/iii abraham the man of.htm

Abraham --The Father of the Faithful.
... and to the very rock upon which the temple was built long afterward, with its great
altar and Holy of Holies. [Illustration: On Mount Moriah]. Abraham had left ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter iii abrahamthe father of.htm

Abraham and Isaac.
... The altar was built, Isaac was bound and laid upon it, and Abraham's arm was uplifted
to strike the blow that was to take his son's life away. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/abraham and isaac.htm

The Crowning Test and Triumph of Faith
... The place is slowly reached, the hill slowly climbed, the altar built, the unresisting
Isaac ... Abraham had said to Isaac, 'God will provide a lamb,' and the word ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the crowning test and triumph.htm

The Story of the Tower of Babel
... There Jehovah appeared to Abraham and said, "To your children will I give this land."
There Abraham built an altar to Jehovah who had appeared to him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of the tower.htm

Abraham's Loyalty to God
... When they came to the place of which God had told him, Abraham built the altar there
and laid the wood on it and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/abrahams loyalty to god.htm

Abraham's Offering up his Son Isaac
... And when you hear how Abraham built an altar, and laid the wood in order, and bound
Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood; think how your ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/abrahams offering up his son.htm

Abraham's Obedience
... And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar
there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xiii abrahams obedience.htm

Abraham's Four Surrenders
... In the first place, Abraham was called to give up his kindred and his native ... his
nephew had left him, he moved down to Hebron, and there built an altar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/men of the bible/i abrahams four surrenders.htm