Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Burnt-Offering holds a significant place in the religious life of ancient Israel, serving as a central element in the sacrificial system instituted by God. This altar, located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, was the primary site for offering sacrifices to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Its sanctification by God underscores its importance and the divine approval of the sacrificial practices conducted upon it.Biblical Description and Construction 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 square and three cubits high. It was overlaid with bronze, and its corners were adorned with horns, which were integral to its design. The altar was equipped with bronze utensils, including pots, shovels, basins, forks, and firepans, all crafted for the specific purpose of handling the sacrifices. Sanctification by God The sanctification of the altar is a pivotal aspect of its role in Israelite worship. In Exodus 29:36-37 , God commands Moses to consecrate the altar by offering a bull as a sin offering for seven days, thereby making atonement for it. The passage states, "For seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and consecrate it. Then the altar will be most holy; whatever touches the altar will be holy." This divine act of sanctification set the altar apart as a holy object, suitable for the sacred task of mediating between God and His people through the sacrificial system. Function and Symbolism The Altar of Burnt-Offering was the focal point for various types of sacrifices, including burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. Each type of sacrifice had specific regulations and purposes, as outlined in the Book of Leviticus. The burnt offering, in particular, symbolized complete devotion to God, as the entire animal was consumed by fire on the altar (Leviticus 1:9). The altar also served as a symbol of God's presence and His covenant with Israel. It was a place where the Israelites could seek atonement and reconciliation with God, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the necessity of bloodshed for forgiveness, as stated in Leviticus 17:11 : "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by the life." Theological Significance The sanctification of the Altar of Burnt-Offering by God highlights the divine initiative in establishing a means for His people to approach Him. It underscores the holiness required in worship and the need for atonement through sacrifice. The altar prefigures the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian theology, fulfills the sacrificial system by offering Himself as the perfect and final atonement for sin (Hebrews 10:10). In summary, the Altar of Burnt-Offering, sanctified by God, was a vital component of Israel's worship, symbolizing God's holiness, the gravity of sin, and the provision of atonement through sacrifice. Its role in the religious life of Israel points forward to the New Testament revelation of Christ's redemptive work. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 29:44And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Sacrifice Renewed Separation to God. Some Helpful Thoughts on Consecration The Temple and Its Dedication The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist Concerning Things Performed in the Muron, and Concerning Things ... Scriptural Types. On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Folly of the Arguments Derived by the Heretics from Numbers ... Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing. 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 The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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