Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Burnt-Offering, also known as the Bronze Altar, was a central element in the worship practices of ancient Israel, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law. It was located in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, serving as the primary site for offering sacrifices to God. The altar was constructed according to divine specifications given to Moses on Mount Sinai, as recorded in the book of Exodus.Construction and Design The altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, measuring five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high (Exodus 27:1-2). It featured horns on its four corners, which were also overlaid with bronze. A grating of bronze network was placed under the ledge of the altar, extending halfway up the altar (Exodus 27:4-5). The altar was equipped with poles for transportation, also made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze (Exodus 27:6-7). The Fire Upon the Altar The fire on the Altar of Burnt-Offering was of divine origin, initially kindled by God Himself. Leviticus 9:24 states, "Fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed the burnt offering and the fat portions on the altar. And when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell facedown." This fire was to be kept burning continually, 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 firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire 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." Purpose and Significance The primary function of the altar was to consume the sacrifices offered by the Israelites, which included burnt offerings, grain offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings. The fire consuming the sacrifices symbolized God's acceptance of the offerings and the atonement for sin. The continual fire represented God's perpetual presence and the ongoing need for atonement and reconciliation between God and His people. The altar and its fire also served as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself as the perfect and final atonement for sin. Hebrews 10:12-14 reflects this fulfillment: "But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet, because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy." Priestly Duties The priests, descendants of Aaron, were responsible for maintaining the fire and performing the sacrificial rituals. They were to ensure that the fire never went out, symbolizing the continuous nature of worship and the need for constant vigilance in spiritual matters. The priests also facilitated the offerings brought by the people, ensuring that each sacrifice was made according to the prescribed laws. Spiritual Lessons The Altar of Burnt-Offering and its ever-burning fire teach several spiritual lessons. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of atonement. It also highlights the holiness of God and His provision for reconciliation through sacrifice. The perpetual fire serves as a reminder of the need for ongoing devotion and the sustaining presence of God in the lives of His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 1:8,9And the priests, Aaron's sons, shall lay the parts, the head, and the fat, in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Manner of Our Offering Sacrifices. The Burnt Offering a Picture and a Prophecy Sacrifice Renewed Of the Priesthood of Aaron. The Temple and Its Dedication Saints and Faithful On the Management of the Resources Collected for the Support of ... Scriptural Types. Princely Service. Rom. xii. 1 Resources Why was the altar in Joshua 22:10 34 such a big deal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of the altar King Ahaz built? | GotQuestions.org Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal? | 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) |
    |