The Altar of Burnt-Offering, also known as the Bronze Altar, holds significant importance in the worship practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It was the primary altar used for sacrifices and offerings, particularly burnt offerings, which were central to the covenantal relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Description and Dimensions

The detailed instructions for the construction of the Altar of Burnt-Offering are found in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 27:1-2 , the altar was to be made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze. The dimensions specified are as follows: "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."

A cubit, an ancient measurement, is generally understood to be approximately 18 inches (45 centimeters). Therefore, the altar measured about 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) in length and width, forming a square, and stood approximately 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) high. This substantial size facilitated the offering of various sacrifices, including burnt offerings, grain offerings, and peace offerings.

Design and Features

The altar's design included several key features that were integral to its function. Exodus 27:3-5 describes the accessories and additional components: "Make all its utensils of bronze—its pots to remove the ashes, its shovels, its sprinkling bowls, its meat forks, and its firepans. Make a grate of bronze mesh for it, and make a bronze ring at each of the four corners of the mesh. Set the grate beneath the ledge of the altar, so that the mesh comes halfway up the altar."

The bronze grate allowed for the efficient handling of the fire and ashes, while the utensils were necessary for the practical aspects of the sacrificial rites. The altar also featured horns on its four corners, as noted in Exodus 27:2 : "Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay it with bronze." These horns were symbolic and functional, often associated with the power and presence of God, and were used in various ritual acts, such as the application of blood during sacrifices.

Significance in Worship

The Altar of Burnt-Offering was situated in the courtyard of the Tabernacle, and later the Temple, serving as the focal point for sacrificial worship. It was the place where the Israelites offered sacrifices to atone for sin, express gratitude, and seek fellowship with God. The altar's construction and dimensions, as divinely instructed, underscored the holiness and orderliness required in approaching God.

The altar's bronze overlay signified strength and endurance, suitable for withstanding the intense heat of the sacrificial fires. Its central location in the worship space highlighted the importance of sacrifice in maintaining the covenant relationship between God and His people, pointing forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system through His atoning death on the cross.Exodus 27:1
And 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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 38:1
And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood: five cubits was the length thereof, and five cubits the breadth thereof; it was foursquare; and three cubits the height thereof.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Copies of Things in the Heavens
... was a tiny chamber, closed in from light, the form, dimensions, materials, and ... of
incense was right in the line between the altar of burnt offering, in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the copies of things in.htm

Books of the Hebrew Canon.
... Altar of Burnt-offering (xxxviii.22"24). ... Foundations of the Temple laid (vi.1).
Foundations of the Temple laid (vi.1"5). Dimensions of the Temple (vi.6 ...
/.../chapter ii books of the.htm

A Discourse
... Second. It is evident by the difference of their measures and dimensions. ... In the
first sense was the altar of burnt-offering, the altar of incense, and the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse.htm

The Book of Jubilees
... skill reduced his historical facts to these dimensions; and it ... to be used for the
fire of the burnt-offering. ... and with a procession round the altar seven times ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of jubilees.htm

part ii
... I love to pray in God's temple, especially within the holy altar, before the Holy
Table or the Prothesis, for by God's grace I become wonderfully changed in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/my life in christ/part ii.htm

What does the Bible say about altar calls? Are altar calls biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What 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

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