Topical Encyclopedia The altar in Solomon's Temple, also known as the First Temple, holds significant importance in biblical history and worship practices. Constructed under the reign of King Solomon, the Temple was completed around 957 BC and served as the central place of worship for the Israelites in Jerusalem. The altar was a crucial component of the Temple, used for sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh, the God of Israel.Construction and Design The altar in Solomon's Temple was located in the inner courtyard, known as the Court of the Priests. According to 2 Chronicles 4:1 , "He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high." This description indicates that the altar was a large, square structure, approximately 30 feet by 30 feet, and 15 feet high, constructed of bronze. The size and materials used for the altar underscore its importance and the grandeur of the Temple itself. Function and Significance The altar was primarily used for burnt offerings, a central aspect of Israelite worship. Levitical priests performed these sacrifices, which were essential for atonement and maintaining a covenant relationship with God. The altar's role is highlighted in 1 Kings 8:64 , where during the Temple's dedication, Solomon offered "burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings" on the altar, signifying the people's devotion and the Temple's consecration. The altar also served as a place of prayer and intercession. In 1 Kings 8:22-23 , Solomon stands before the altar to pray, "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts." This prayer emphasizes the altar's role as a focal point for seeking God's presence and favor. Symbolism and Theological Implications The altar in Solomon's Temple symbolized God's covenant with Israel and His presence among His people. It was a tangible representation of the sacrificial system, which foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as understood in Christian theology. The altar's centrality in worship reflects the importance of atonement and reconciliation with God, themes that resonate throughout the biblical narrative. Destruction and Legacy The First Temple, including its altar, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 586 BC, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:9 , "He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem." Despite its destruction, the altar's legacy continued, influencing the design and function of the altar in the Second Temple, which was built after the Babylonian exile. Altar in the Second Temple The Second Temple, constructed beginning in 516 BC, also featured an altar for sacrifices. While the Bible does not provide detailed dimensions for this altar, it is understood to have been similar in function to the one in Solomon's Temple. Ezra 3:2 describes the rebuilding of the altar, "Then Jeshua son of Jozadak and his fellow priests, along with Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and his associates, began to build the altar of the God of Israel to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God." The Second Temple altar continued to be a central element of Jewish worship until the Temple's destruction by the Romans in 70 AD. Its significance is reflected in the continued Jewish longing for a restored Temple and altar, as well as in Christian interpretations of Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling the sacrificial system once and for all. Nave's Topical Index Ezra 3:1-6And when the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Nave's Topical Index Library Altar and Temple The Rebuilding of the Temple. Building a Great Temple Solomon's Temple Spiritualized First and Second Chronicles. In the House of his Heavenly, and in the Home of his Earthly ... The Destruction of Jerusalem. The Destruction of Jerusalem At the Feast of the Dedication of the Temple. The Girdle of the City. Nehemiah 3 Resources What does the Bible say about altar calls? Are altar calls biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the horns of the altar (Amos 3:14)? | GotQuestions.org Why was the fire in the altar to burn continuously (Leviticus 6:13)? | 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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