Topical Encyclopedia The altar built by Elijah is a significant symbol of faith and divine intervention in the Old Testament, specifically in the narrative found in 1 Kings 18. This event occurs during the reign of King Ahab, a time when the worship of Baal had become prevalent in Israel, largely due to the influence of Queen Jezebel. Elijah, a prophet of the Lord, stands as a solitary figure against the widespread idolatry, calling the people back to the worship of Yahweh.Context and Purpose The altar built by Elijah is central to the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Elijah challenges the people of Israel to choose whom they will serve, stating, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him" (1 Kings 18:21). The purpose of the altar is to demonstrate the power and reality of the God of Israel in contrast to the impotence of Baal. Construction of the Altar Elijah's construction of the altar is deliberate and symbolic. He takes twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, to rebuild the altar of the Lord that had been torn down. The use of twelve stones signifies the unity and covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel. As the text states, "Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, 'Israel shall be your name'" (1 Kings 18:31). The Sacrifice and Divine Response Upon constructing the altar, Elijah prepares a sacrifice, laying a bull upon the wood. In a dramatic act of faith, he instructs the people to pour four large jars of water over the offering and the wood, repeating this three times until the water fills a trench around the altar. This act underscores the miraculous nature of what is to follow, as the water-soaked altar would naturally resist ignition. Elijah then prays to the Lord, invoking the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and asking for a demonstration of divine power so that the people may know that Yahweh is the true God. His prayer is recorded as follows: "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so that this people will know that You, O LORD, are God, and that You have turned their hearts back again" (1 Kings 18:37). In response, "the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench" (1 Kings 18:38). This miraculous event leads the people to fall prostrate and declare, "The LORD, He is God! The LORD, He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39). Significance The altar built by Elijah serves as a powerful testament to the sovereignty and power of the God of Israel. It marks a pivotal moment of repentance and recognition of Yahweh's supremacy over false gods. The event on Mount Carmel is a call to faithfulness and a reminder of God's willingness to reveal Himself to those who seek Him with sincerity and devotion. Elijah's altar stands as a symbol of the restoration of true worship and the reaffirmation of the covenant between God and His people. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 18:31,32And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be your name: Nave's Topical Index Library Elijah and the Widow's Son The Story of the Angel by the Altar The Prophet of Fire Elijah the Great Heart of Israel. The Story of Elijah, the Prophet Carmel The Trial by Fire How Ahab when He had Taken Jezebel to Wife Became More Wicked than ... A Little Maid Elijah's Appeal to the Undecided Resources What is an altar? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the brazen altar? | GotQuestions.org What was the significance of the altar of incense? | GotQuestions.org Altar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Altar in Solomon's Temple in Second Temple Altar in Solomon's Temple: Cleansed by Hezekiah Altar in Solomon's Temple: Description of Altar in Solomon's Temple: Ezekiel's Vision of Altar in Solomon's Temple: Furniture of, Taken to Babylon Altar in Solomon's Temple: Removed by Ahaz, and One of Idolatrous Fashion Substituted Altar in Solomon's Temple: Renewed by Asa Altar in Solomon's Temple: Repaired by Manasseh Altar in the Tabernacle: A Place of Refuge Altar in the Tabernacle: Constructed by Bezaleel Altar in the Tabernacle: Furniture of Altar in the Tabernacle: Horns of Altar in the Tabernacle: How Sanctified Altar in the Tabernacle: Location of Altar in the Tabernacle: Pattern of Altar in the Tabernacle: Sanctified Everything That Touched It Altar in the Tabernacle: Uses of the Horns Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Altar of God Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Altar of the Lord Altar of Burnt offerings: Called Brazen Altar Altar of Incense in Solomon's Temple Altar of Incense: A Cover Made For, of the Censers of Korah Altar of Incense: A Type of Christ Altar of Incense: Altar Before the Lord Altar of Incense: Altar of Sweet Incense Altar of Incense: Anointed With Holy Oil Altar of Incense: Atonement Made For, by the High Priest Once Every Year Altar of Incense: Called the Golden Altar Altar of Incense: Carried by Kohathites Altar of Incense: Covered by the Priest Before Removal from the Sanctuary Altar of Incense: Covered With Gold Altar of Incense: Dimensions of Altar of Incense: had Four Rings of Gold Under the Crown for the Staves Altar of Incense: How Prepared for Carrying Altar of Incense: No Strange Incense Nor Any Sacrifice to be offered On Altar of Incense: Placed Before the Vail in the Outer Sanctuary Altar of Incense: Punishment For: Offering Strange Fire On Altar of Incense: Punishment For: Unauthorised offering On Altar of Incense: Said to be Before the Lord Altar of Incense: Seen in John's Vision Altar of Incense: Staves of, Covered With Gold Altar of Incense: The Blood of all Sin offerings Put on the Horns of Altar of Incense: The Priest Burned Incense on Every Morning and Evening Altar of Incense: Top of, Surrounded With a Crown of Gold Altar used in Idolatrous Worship Altar: Built by the Reubenites and Gadites Altar: Mosaic Commandments Prescribing the Construction of The Altar of Burnt-Offering was Most Holy The Altar of Burnt-Offering: A Net-Working Grate of Brass Placed In The Altar of Burnt-Offering: A Type of Christ The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Ahaz Removed and Profaned The Altar of Burnt-Offering: All Gifts to be Presented At The Altar of Burnt-Offering: All Its Vessels of Brass The Altar of Burnt-Offering: All Sacrifices to be offered On The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Anointed and Sanctified With Holy Oil The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Altar of God The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Altar of the Lord The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Called: The Brazen Altar The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Cleansed and Purified With Blood The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Covered With Brass The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Dimensions of The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Furnished With Rings and Staves The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Horns on the Corners of The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Made After a Divine Pattern The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Nothing Polluted or Defective to be offered On The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Offering at the Dedication of The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Placed in the Court Before the Door of the Tabernacle The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Sacrifices Bound to the Horns of The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Sanctified by God The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Sanctified Whatever Touched It The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Blood of Sacrifices Put on the Horns and Poured at The The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Fire Upon was Continually Burning The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Fire Upon: Came from Before the Lord The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Fire Upon: Consumed the Sacrifices The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Jews Condemned for Swearing Lightly By The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Priests: Alone to Serve The Altar of Burnt-Offering: The Priests: Derived Support From Related Terms Burnt-sacrifice (13 Occurrences) Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences) Meat-offerings (10 Occurrences) |
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