Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Burnt Offerings, also known as the Altar of God, holds significant importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. This altar was a central feature of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, serving as the primary location for sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh.Biblical Description and Construction The instructions for constructing the Altar of Burnt Offerings are detailed in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 27:1-2 , "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar is to be square, and three cubits high. Make a horn on each of its four corners, so that the horns are of one piece with it, and overlay it with bronze." This altar was designed to be portable, in line with the Israelites' nomadic lifestyle during their wilderness journey. The altar was placed in the courtyard of the Tabernacle, signifying its accessibility to the people. It was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, materials that symbolized durability and strength. The horns on the altar's corners were significant, often representing power and refuge (1 Kings 1:50). Function and Significance The primary function of the Altar of Burnt Offerings was to facilitate the sacrificial system instituted by God. Leviticus 1:9 states, "The priest is to burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." The sacrifices made on this altar were essential for atonement, thanksgiving, and worship, serving as a means for the Israelites to maintain a covenant relationship with God. The altar was also a place of consecration and dedication. In Exodus 29:37 , God commands, "For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy." This consecration underscored the altar's sanctity and its role in the divine-human relationship. Symbolism and Theological Implications The Altar of Burnt Offerings symbolizes the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin. The sacrifices offered on the altar pointed to the need for a substitute to bear the penalty of sin, prefiguring the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:10 reflects this fulfillment: "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Moreover, the altar represents God's provision for reconciliation and fellowship with His people. It was a tangible reminder of God's presence and His willingness to forgive and accept those who approached Him with a contrite heart. Historical and Cultural Context In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, altars were common in religious practices. However, the Altar of Burnt Offerings was distinct in its exclusive dedication to Yahweh and its role within the covenantal framework established at Sinai. Unlike pagan altars, which often involved rituals to appease capricious deities, the Altar of God was part of a divinely ordained system that emphasized holiness, obedience, and relationship. Legacy and Influence The Altar of Burnt Offerings continued to be a central element in Israelite worship until the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 AD. Its legacy endures in Christian theology, where it is seen as a precursor to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, who fulfilled the law and the prophets. The altar's principles of sacrifice, atonement, and holiness remain foundational to understanding the nature of worship and redemption in the biblical narrative. Nave's Topical Index Psalm 43:4Then will I go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy: yes, on the harp will I praise you, O God my God. Nave's Topical Index Library Altar and Temple Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ... The Meaning The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy Sacrifice Renewed Following the Cloud. Blemished Offerings Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"? The Best of All, God is with Us The Story of Abraham and Isaac 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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