Topical Bible: The Altar of Burnt-Offering: Offering at the Dedication of

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Topical Encyclopedia

The Altar of Burnt-Offering holds a significant place in the religious life of ancient Israel, serving as the central site for sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh. This altar, constructed according to divine specifications, was a key component of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, symbolizing the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Description and Construction

The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Burnt-Offering are detailed in the Book of Exodus. The altar was to be made of acacia wood, overlaid with bronze, and measured five cubits square and three cubits high (Exodus 27:1-2). It featured horns on its four corners, which were integral to its design and function. The altar was equipped with bronze utensils for handling the offerings, including pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans (Exodus 27:3).

Purpose and Function

The primary purpose of the Altar of Burnt-Offering was to facilitate the sacrificial system ordained by God. It was the place where burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings were presented. These sacrifices were essential for atonement, thanksgiving, and maintaining the holiness of the community. The burnt offering, in particular, symbolized complete surrender to God, as the entire animal was consumed by fire (Leviticus 1:9).

Dedication of the Altar

The dedication of the Altar of Burnt-Offering was a momentous event, marking the consecration of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. In the wilderness, Moses anointed the altar with oil, sanctifying it for its sacred purpose (Exodus 40:10). During the dedication of Solomon's Temple, King Solomon offered a massive number of sacrifices, underscoring the altar's central role in Israel's worship (1 Kings 8:62-64).

Symbolism and Theological Significance

The Altar of Burnt-Offering symbolizes the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin. It serves as a constant reminder of the need for a mediator between God and humanity. The sacrifices offered on the altar foreshadow the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian theology, fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death on the cross (Hebrews 10:10).

Historical Context

Throughout Israel's history, the Altar of Burnt-Offering was central to religious practice. It was located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, accessible to the priests who performed the sacrificial rites. The altar's presence affirmed God's dwelling among His people and His provision for their spiritual needs.

Conclusion

The Altar of Burnt-Offering, with its detailed construction and significant role in the sacrificial system, is a profound testament to the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It highlights the themes of atonement, holiness, and divine presence, which are foundational to the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 7:1-89
And it came to pass on the day that Moses had fully set up the tabernacle, and had anointed it, and sanctified it, and all the instruments thereof, both the altar and all the vessels thereof, and had anointed them, and sanctified them;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Temple and Its Dedication
... The brazen furniture,"the altar of burnt offering, the great ... The time chosen for
the dedication was a most favorable one"the seventh month, when the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 2 the temple and.htm

Home Dedication.
... his quivering flesh and bleeding body a burnt offering to him ... him to bring his child
to the altar of baptism ... before the Lord, as the free-will offering of the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter x home dedication.htm

The Dedication
... or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering, the other ... attention, and they presented
only the offering made by ... in his arms, and held it up before the altar. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 5 the dedication.htm

Altar and Temple
... God.3. And they set the altar upon his ... 5. And afterward offered the continual burnt
offering, both of ... one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/altar and temple.htm

The Personal History of Herod - the Two Worlds in Jerusalem.
... up again the great altar of burnt-offering, it appeared as if a new Theocracy were
to be inaugurated. The ceremonial of that feast of the new dedication of the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter ii the personal history.htm

Scriptural Types.
... From the very nature of the offering, this act of presentation contained an ... waved
before the Lord, and then burned by Moses on the altar of burnt-offering. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxvii scriptural types.htm

Princely Service.
... "All the oxen for the burnt-offering were twelve ... and the kids of the goats for
sin-offering twelve. ... all this""was the dedication of the altar, after that it ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part iii princely service.htm

Separation to God.
... of CHRIST'S death foreshadowed, as we have seen by the burnt-offering. Lastly, the
peace-offering"part of which was consumed on the altar, while part was ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part i separation to god.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... about, while the smoke of the sacrifice rose from the altar of burnt-offering. ... people
the words of blessing; and then, while the drink-offering was poured ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

"The Light of Life"
... Then as he waited beside the altar with knife upraised ... will provide Himself a lamb
for a burnt offering," (Gen.22 ... up his son or his daughter for a sin offering. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 51 the light of.htm