Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Burnt Offerings, also known as the Brazen Altar, 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." The use of acacia wood overlaid with bronze gave the altar its alternative name, the Brazen Altar. The altar was designed with practical features to facilitate the sacrificial system. It included a grating, a network of bronze, and bronze rings for carrying poles, as described in Exodus 27:4-7 . The altar's dimensions and materials underscored its durability and sanctity, suitable for the continuous offerings made upon it. Function and Significance The primary function of the Brazen Altar was for the offering of burnt sacrifices, which were a vital aspect of Israelite worship. 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." These offerings symbolized atonement, dedication, and communion with God, serving as a means for the Israelites to express repentance and devotion. The altar was also a place of consecration and purification. In Leviticus 8:15 , during the consecration of Aaron and his sons, Moses "slaughtered the bull and took some of the blood and with his finger put it on all the horns of the altar to purify the altar." This act of purification was essential for maintaining the holiness required for the altar's function. Theological Implications The Brazen Altar is rich in theological symbolism. It represents the necessity of sacrifice for atonement and reconciliation with God. The continual fire on the altar, as commanded in Leviticus 6:13 , "The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out," signifies the perpetual nature of worship and the constant need for atonement. Moreover, the altar prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian theology, fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death on the cross. 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." Historical Context The Brazen Altar was initially located in the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary used by the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. With the construction of Solomon's Temple, a more permanent altar was established, as described in 2 Chronicles 4:1 : "He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high." Throughout Israel's history, the altar remained a focal point of worship and sacrifice, even during periods of apostasy and reform. The reforms of King Hezekiah and King Josiah, for instance, included the restoration of proper worship practices centered around the altar (2 Chronicles 29:18-19, 2 Kings 23:9). Conclusion The Altar of Burnt Offerings, or Brazen Altar, is a profound symbol of sacrifice, atonement, and worship in the biblical narrative. Its construction, function, and theological implications underscore its central role in the religious life of ancient Israel and its enduring significance in Christian theology. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 39:39The brazen altar, and his grate of brass, his staves, and all his vessels, the laver and his foot, Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 8:64 Library Following the Cloud. Of the Building of this Temple The Temple and Its Dedication "Lo, I Come": Exposition Scriptural Types. Princely Service. How Solomon Removed the Ark into the Temple How He Made ... Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ... Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices. The Second Oration on Easter. 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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