Topical Encyclopedia The altar in the Tabernacle, as described in the Old Testament, holds significant theological and liturgical importance. It served as the central place for sacrifices and offerings, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites. The pattern of the altar was divinely revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai, as part of the comprehensive instructions for the construction of the Tabernacle, which was to be a dwelling place for God's presence among His people.Design and Construction The altar of burnt offering, also known as the brazen altar, was the first object encountered upon entering the Tabernacle courtyard. According to Exodus 27:1-8, the altar was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. It measured five cubits square and three cubits high, with horns on its four corners. The altar was equipped with bronze utensils, including pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans, all necessary for the sacrificial rites. The altar's design included a grating, a network of bronze, placed halfway down the altar, allowing the ashes to fall through. Rings and poles were also part of the design, facilitating the altar's transport as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. Symbolism and Function The altar's primary function was for the offering of sacrifices, which were central to the Israelites' worship and atonement practices. Leviticus 1-7 details the various types of offerings, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each type of offering had specific regulations and purposes, often involving the sprinkling of blood on the altar, symbolizing purification and atonement for sin. The altar's horns, mentioned in Exodus 27:2, were significant in the sacrificial rituals. Blood from the sacrifices was applied to the horns, symbolizing the power and efficacy of the atonement provided by the sacrifice. The altar thus served as a place of divine mercy and forgiveness, where the Israelites could seek reconciliation with God. Theological Significance The pattern of the altar in the Tabernacle reflects the holiness and justice of God, as well as His provision for atonement and reconciliation. The sacrificial system foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian theology, fulfilled the law and the prophets by offering Himself as the perfect and final atonement for sin. Hebrews 9:22 states, "In fact, according to the law, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." The altar's construction from acacia wood and bronze signifies durability and strength, while its position at the entrance of the Tabernacle underscores the necessity of atonement before entering into deeper communion with God. The altar, therefore, is not only a physical structure but also a profound symbol of God's redemptive plan and His desire to dwell among His people. Biblical References · Exodus 27:1-8: Detailed instructions for the construction of the altar. · Leviticus 1-7: Regulations for various offerings and sacrifices. · Hebrews 9:22: The necessity of blood for forgiveness, pointing to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ. The altar in the Tabernacle, as a pattern, serves as a foundational element in understanding the sacrificial system and its fulfillment in the New Testament. It is a testament to God's holiness, justice, and mercy, providing a means for His people to approach Him in worship and repentance. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 27:1-8And you shall make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits. Nave's Topical Index Library What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? Following the Cloud. On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ... Princely Service. Daniel: a Pattern for Pleaders Bezaleel and Aholiab. The First Sermon in the Tabernacle Christ Glorified as the Builder of his Church 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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