The Altar of Burnt-Offering, also known as the Bronze Altar, holds a significant place in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It was the primary location for offering sacrifices to Yahweh, serving as a central element in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for constructing the Altar of Burnt-Offering 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 at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze." This altar was designed to be portable, with poles for carrying, as the Israelites were a nomadic people during their wilderness journey.

Purpose and Function

The primary function of the Altar of Burnt-Offering was to facilitate the sacrificial system instituted by God. It was the place where burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were presented. Leviticus 1:3-4 states, "If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to offer an unblemished male. He must present it at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted by the LORD. He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so that it may be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him."

The altar served as a means for the Israelites to express their devotion, seek atonement for sins, and maintain a covenant relationship with God. The sacrificial system underscored the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement through the shedding of blood, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Significance in Worship

The Altar of Burnt-Offering was central to the worship life of Israel. It was located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, symbolizing the approach to God through sacrifice. The continual fire on the altar, as commanded in Leviticus 6:12-13 , "The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not go out," represented the perpetual nature of worship and the constant need for atonement.

Theological Implications

The Altar of Burnt-Offering is rich in theological significance. It highlights the holiness of God and the sinfulness of humanity, necessitating a mediator and a means of atonement. The sacrifices offered on the altar were a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, as the Lamb of God, offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 10:10). The altar thus points to the fulfillment of the sacrificial system in Christ, who provides the perfect atonement for sin.

In summary, the Altar of Burnt-Offering was a vital component of Israelite worship, serving as the designated place for sacrifices that maintained the covenant relationship between God and His people. Its significance extends beyond its historical and ritualistic functions, pointing to the greater redemptive work accomplished through Jesus Christ.Exodus 29:38-42
Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 56:7
Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices.
... This is the way of offering a burnt-offering. ... sprinkle the altar with their blood;
but they lay upon the altar the kidneys and the caul, and all the fat ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 the manner of.htm

Spiritual Sacrifices
... Holy place, and after the altar of burnt-offering had been ... houses a single figure
kneeling on the altar-steps, by ... your faith, I rejoice with you all.' And so ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/spiritual sacrifices.htm

Scriptural Types.
... I have given it to you upon the altar to make ... offerings according to the number of
them all: for Job ... Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt-offering; and my ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

The Day of Atonement
... sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.6. And ... a censer of burning embers
from the altar before the ... white, who has offered sacrifices daily all the year ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the day of atonement.htm

Sacrifice Renewed
... ourselves with Him by faith, that blood sprinkled on the altar covers all our sins.
Then followed in this parabolic ceremonial the burnt offering. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sacrifice renewed.htm

The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy
... it was smeared on the horns of the altar, and, in the most solemn of all, was carried ...
suggests that the essential character of the burnt offering was not ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the burnt offering a picture.htm

The Eating of the Peace-Offering
... There were three bloody sacrifices, the sin-offering, the burnt- offering, and the
peace ... That is blessedly true as to all which we lay on God's altar. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eating of the peace-offering.htm

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... There, before the door of the Tabernacle, was the altar of burnt offering. ... sinful
men could begin to meet with God, the foundation of all the communion of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

The Story of Abraham and Isaac
... the ram and offered him up for a burnt-offering in place ... The place where this altar
was built Abraham named ... as offerings for worship; and while all the people ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of abraham and.htm

How
... shew-bread], and the altar [of burnt-offering]; and did ... secret treasures, and left
nothing at all remaining; and ... built an idol altar upon God's altar, he slew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how.htm

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