Topical Bible: The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Furnished With Rings and Staves

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Topical Encyclopedia

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. This altar was a central fixture in the Tabernacle, and later in the Temple, serving as the primary location for sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh. Its design and construction were divinely ordained, reflecting the holiness and order that God required in His worship.

Biblical Description and Specifications

The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Burnt-Offering are detailed in the Book of Exodus. According to Exodus 27:1-8 , the altar was to be made of acacia wood, measuring five cubits long and five cubits wide, making it square, and three cubits high. It was overlaid with bronze, a metal symbolizing judgment and endurance, suitable for withstanding the intense heat of the sacrifices.

Rings and Staves

A distinctive feature of the altar was its portability, facilitated by the inclusion of rings and staves. Exodus 27:6-7 states, "Make poles of acacia wood for the altar and overlay them with bronze. Insert the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, so they can be used to carry it." These rings and staves were essential for the transportation of the altar as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. The use of acacia wood, known for its durability and resistance to decay, ensured that the altar could withstand the rigors of travel.

The presence of rings and staves underscores the transient nature of the Israelites' worship during their wilderness wanderings. It also highlights the principle that God's presence and the means of atonement were not confined to a single location but accompanied His people wherever they went.

Symbolism and Function

The Altar of Burnt-Offering was the site where burnt offerings, sin offerings, and other sacrifices were made, symbolizing atonement and reconciliation between God and His people. The continual fire on the altar, as commanded in Leviticus 6:12-13 , represented the perpetual need for atonement and the ongoing relationship between God and Israel.

The rings and staves, while practical, also carried symbolic weight. They signified readiness and mobility, reflecting the Israelites' dependence on God's guidance and provision. The altar's design ensured that worship and sacrifice were integral parts of the community's life, regardless of their physical location.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the Altar of Burnt-Offering prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the sacrificial system through His atoning death on the cross. The altar's role in the Old Covenant as a place of atonement and reconciliation finds its fulfillment in the New Covenant, where Christ's sacrifice provides eternal redemption for believers.

In summary, the Altar of Burnt-Offering, with its rings and staves, serves as a profound symbol of God's provision for atonement and His presence with His people. It reflects the continuity of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 27:6,7
And you shall make staves for the altar, staves of shittim wood, and overlay them with brass.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 38:5-7
And he cast four rings for the four ends of the grate of brass, to be places for the staves.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The spoil from the golden ear-rings alone amounted to ... and he built there an altar
unto the Lord." To ... lamb, and offered it for a whole burnt offering unto the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm