Altar: Built by Moses
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The concept of the altar holds significant importance throughout the biblical narrative, serving as a place of sacrifice, worship, and communion with God. Among the notable altars mentioned in the Scriptures is the altar built by Moses, which is a testament to God's covenant and His divine instructions to the Israelites.

Biblical Context and Construction

The altar built by Moses is primarily associated with the events at Mount Sinai, where God established His covenant with the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. In Exodus 24:4, Moses is described as building an altar at the foot of the mountain: "And Moses wrote down all the words of the LORD. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the base of the mountain and set up twelve pillars for the twelve tribes of Israel" . This altar was constructed as part of the covenant ceremony, symbolizing the people's commitment to the LORD and His laws.

The altar at Mount Sinai was made of earth or uncut stones, as instructed by God in Exodus 20:24-25: "You are to make an altar of earth for Me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. If you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it" . This directive emphasized the purity and simplicity required in worship, avoiding any human embellishment that might detract from the sanctity of the offering.

Purpose and Significance

The altar built by Moses served several key purposes. Primarily, it was a place for offering sacrifices to God, which were central to the Israelites' worship and atonement practices. The sacrifices made on this altar included burnt offerings and peace offerings, which were expressions of devotion, thanksgiving, and reconciliation with God.

Moreover, the altar was a physical representation of the covenant between God and Israel. The twelve pillars set up alongside the altar symbolized the twelve tribes of Israel, underscoring the collective commitment of the nation to uphold the covenant. This act of building the altar and offering sacrifices was a reaffirmation of the Israelites' identity as God's chosen people and their dedication to His commandments.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the altar built by Moses highlights the importance of obedience and reverence in worship. By following God's specific instructions for the construction and use of the altar, the Israelites demonstrated their submission to His authority and their desire to maintain a right relationship with Him. The altar also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death and resurrection, providing a means for eternal reconciliation with God.

In summary, the altar built by Moses is a profound symbol of covenant, worship, and divine presence. It reflects the foundational principles of faith, obedience, and community that are central to the biblical narrative and the life of the believer.
Nave's Topical Index
Exodus 17:15
And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
Nave's Topical Index

Exodus 24:4
And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Concerning the Tabernacle which Moses Built in the Wilderness for ...
... linen veil, after the temple has been built, to be ... the creatures which men have seen,
though Moses said he ... were within the sanctuary, was the altar of incense ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 concerning the tabernacle.htm

The Altar on Mount Ebal.
... When the Israelites advanced thus far, they remembered the words of Moses. Joshua
built the altar as directed, on which he offered sacrifices to God, and wrote ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the altar on mount ebal.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... our behalf, is the great original, of which the sanctuary built by Moses was a ... The
table of showbread and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... our behalf, is the great original, of which the sanctuary built by Moses was a ... The
table of shewbread and the altar of incense glittered like burnished gold ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... built the altar on the same place it had formerly been built, that they might offer
the appointed sacrifices upon it to God, according to the laws of Moses. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... 3. The altar was built according to the written law of Moses the man of
God. These records by Ezra effectually bar the door against ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm

The Friendship that was Between Onias and Ptolemy Philometor; and ...
... the place, and built a temple, and an altar to God ... their worship to the temple that
was built in the ... saying that, according to the laws of Moses, the temple was ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 the friendship that.htm

From Adam to Moses.
... 1.= What was the name of the first large city built after the great flood? ... An altar
for prayer to God.=. Lesson IV. ... The Youth of Moses. (Tell Story 20.). ...
/.../hurlbut/hurlbuts bible lessons/part first from adam to moses.htm

Jehovah Nissi
... THE BOOK OF EXODUS JEHOVAH NISSI. 'And Moses built an altar, and called the name
of it Jehovah Nissi [that is, the Lord is my Banner].' "Exodus 17:15. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/jehovah nissi.htm

Following the Cloud.
... side until the going down of the sun, when Amalek was conquered. Moses
built an altar there, and called it "The Lord my Banner.". ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Resources
Why was the altar in Joshua 22:10 34 such a big deal? | GotQuestions.org

What was the significance of the altar King Ahaz built? | GotQuestions.org

Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | GotQuestions.org

Altar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Altar

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: See

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: Constructed

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: Location of

Altar of Incense: No Strange Incense Nor Any Sacrifice to be offered On

Altar of Incense: Pattern of

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 of Incense: Uses of

Altar used in Idolatrous Worship

Altar: Built by Abraham

Altar: Built by Balaam

Altar: Built by David

Altar: Built by Elijah

Altar: Built by Gideon

Altar: Built by Isaac

Altar: Built by Jacob

Altar: Built by Joshua

Altar: Built by Moses

Altar: Built by Noah

Altar: Built by Samuel

Altar: Built by Saul

Altar: Built by the Reubenites and Gadites

Altar: Mosaic Commandments Prescribing the Construction of

Altar: See

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

Incense-altar (2 Occurrences)

Perfume-altar (1 Occurrence)

Altar-hearths (2 Occurrences)

Soothing (40 Occurrences)

Censer (10 Occurrences)

Ba'al (55 Occurrences)

Sprinkleth (11 Occurrences)

Sanctifieth (21 Occurrences)

Pleasant (119 Occurrences)

Ashe'rah (18 Occurrences)

Aroma (50 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Burnt-sacrifice (13 Occurrences)

Arranged (32 Occurrences)

Slaughtereth (13 Occurrences)

Savour (52 Occurrences)

Staffs (47 Occurrences)

Sanctify (91 Occurrences)

Sprinkled (55 Occurrences)

Aaron's (53 Occurrences)

Acacia-wood (27 Occurrences)

Staves (50 Occurrences)

Pour (137 Occurrences)

Shrine (34 Occurrences)

Pole (21 Occurrences)

Buildeth (73 Occurrences)

Slew (206 Occurrences)

Sides (170 Occurrences)

Builded (65 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Acacia (28 Occurrences)

Meat-offerings (10 Occurrences)

Memorial-part (7 Occurrences)

Baal's (6 Occurrences)

Copy (18 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Screen (26 Occurrences)

Strange (234 Occurrences)

Araunah (14 Occurrences)

Savor (51 Occurrences)

Smell (77 Occurrences)

Ashes (44 Occurrences)

Brazen (42 Occurrences)

Shewbread (16 Occurrences)

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)

Smoke (98 Occurrences)

Sweet (147 Occurrences)

Attend (71 Occurrences)

Basins (33 Occurrences)

Plates (19 Occurrences)

Pertaineth (18 Occurrences)

Bull's (8 Occurrences)

Chalkstone

Contain (19 Occurrences)

Arrange (19 Occurrences)

Shelf (5 Occurrences)

Spice-perfume (5 Occurrences)

Swears (16 Occurrences)

Copper (55 Occurrences)

Poles (58 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Beth-el (65 Occurrences)

Anointed (132 Occurrences)

Putteth (182 Occurrences)

Perfumes (69 Occurrences)

Manoah (14 Occurrences)

Peace-offering (46 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Bullocks (50 Occurrences)

Pulled (84 Occurrences)

Asylum

Courtyard (59 Occurrences)

Anointing (39 Occurrences)

Vessels (210 Occurrences)

Ablution

Memorial (54 Occurrences)

Built (299 Occurrences)

Perfume (202 Occurrences)

Altar: Built by Joshua
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