Topical Bible: Altar: Built by Noah

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The altar built by Noah holds significant importance in biblical history as it represents the first recorded act of worship following the Great Flood. This event is documented in the Book of Genesis, where Noah, upon exiting the ark, constructs an altar to the LORD as an expression of gratitude and reverence.

Biblical Account

After the floodwaters receded and the ark came to rest on the mountains of Ararat, Noah, his family, and all the living creatures disembarked. The first action Noah took was to build an altar to the LORD. Genesis 8:20 states, "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."

Significance of the Altar

1. Expression of Gratitude and Worship: Noah's altar was a tangible expression of his gratitude to God for deliverance from the flood. It was an act of worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and mercy. The offering of clean animals and birds as burnt offerings symbolized Noah's devotion and thanksgiving.

2. Covenantal Context: The altar and the subsequent offerings were pivotal in the establishment of God's covenant with Noah and, by extension, with all of humanity. Following Noah's sacrifice, God made a promise never to destroy the earth again with a flood. Genesis 8:21-22 records God's response: "When the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, He said in His heart, 'Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from his youth. And never again will I destroy all living creatures as I have done.'"

3. Symbol of New Beginnings: The altar signifies a new beginning for humanity. It marks the transition from the old world, which was judged and destroyed due to its wickedness, to a renewed creation under God's covenant. The altar serves as a reminder of God's grace and the opportunity for a fresh start.

4. Precedent for Future Worship: Noah's altar set a precedent for future acts of worship and sacrifice in the biblical narrative. It established the practice of building altars as places of worship, thanksgiving, and covenantal interaction with God, a tradition that would be continued by the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Theological Implications

The altar built by Noah underscores the importance of worship and sacrifice in the relationship between God and humanity. It highlights the necessity of acknowledging God's providence and the human response of faith and obedience. The act of building an altar and offering sacrifices became a foundational element in the worship practices of the Israelites, pointing ultimately to the sacrificial system established under the Mosaic Law.

In summary, the altar built by Noah is a profound symbol of worship, covenant, and new beginnings, reflecting the enduring relationship between God and His creation.

Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 8:2
The fountains also of the deep and the windows of heaven were stopped, and the rain from heaven was restrained;
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Library

Then Noah First of all Erected an Altar to God...
... Then Noah first of all erected an altar to God, and ... Accordingly, the sons of Noah
were alone left in the then ... the city of Babylon is said to have been built. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iv then noah first.htm

Nisibene Hymns. Hymn i. O God of Mercies who Didst Refresh Noah ...
... a wall in the sea, for on a rock his understanding built it. ... living things that were
in the ark; and instead of Noah who mourned ... Thy altar mourning and humbled ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/nisibene hymns hymn i o.htm

Noah and the Great Flood
... And Noah built an altar to Jehovah and took one of every beast and bird that
was fit for sacrifice and offered burnt-offerings on the altar. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/noah and the great flood.htm

The Story of Noah and the Ark
... The first thing that Noah did when he came out of the ark, was to give thanks to
God for saving all his family when the rest of ... He built an altar, and laid ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of noah and.htm

The Flood.
... Then Noah built an altar, and offered sacrifices to God, in thankfulness for God's
goodness to him and his family. [Illustration: ENTERING THE ARK.]. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the flood.htm

Noah's Sons.
... thirteenth generation, when the second of Noah's three sons ... the cursed progeny first
erected an altar to demons ... Nimrod I. reigned in Babylonia, and built a city ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxx noahs sons.htm

'Clear Shining after Rain'
... one. Before he thought of anything else, Noah built his altar. All our
deeds should be set in a golden ring of thankfulness. So ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/clear shining after rain.htm

Mount Moriah
... place where Abraham built his, upon which he bound Isaac; where Noah built his,
when he went out of the ark: that in the same place was the altar, upon which ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 27 mount moriah.htm

From the Fall to the Flood.
... was sent out of the boat; (5) That the saved family built an altar and worshiped ...
destroys the miracle of it, since the coming just when Noah had completed ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter ii from the fall.htm

The Story of the Tower of Babel
... The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japheth. ... said, "To your
children will I give this land." There Abraham built an altar to Jehovah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of the tower.htm