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. Situated in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, this altar was the designated place for offering sacrifices to Yahweh, the God of Israel. Its construction and use are detailed in the Pentateuch, particularly in the books of Exodus and Leviticus.Construction and Design The instructions for the construction of the Altar of Burnt-Offering are found in Exodus 27:1-8. The altar was made of acacia wood and overlaid with bronze, measuring five cubits square and three cubits high. It featured horns on its four corners, which were integral to its design and function. A grating of bronze network was placed under its ledge, halfway up the altar, and it was equipped with rings and poles for transport, signifying its role as a portable structure during the Israelites' wilderness wanderings. The Perpetual Fire A distinctive feature of the Altar of Burnt-Offering was the perpetual fire that burned upon it. Leviticus 6:12-13 commands, "The fire on the altar shall be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add wood to the fire, arrange the burnt offering on it, and burn the fat portions of the peace offerings on it. The fire must be kept burning on the altar continually; it must not be extinguished." This continuous fire symbolized the unending worship and devotion owed to God by His people. It served as a constant reminder of God's presence and the need for atonement and reconciliation with Him. The perpetual nature of the fire also underscored the seriousness and constancy of the sacrificial system, which pointed forward to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law and the prophets. Sacrificial System The Altar of Burnt-Offering was primarily used for burnt offerings, which were sacrifices wholly consumed by fire, symbolizing complete surrender to God. These offerings were a vital part of the sacrificial system, which included various types of sacrifices such as sin offerings, guilt offerings, and peace offerings. Each type of sacrifice had specific regulations and purposes, as outlined in Leviticus. The burnt offering, in particular, was a voluntary act of worship, atonement for unintentional sin, and an expression of devotion and commitment to God. The continual fire on the altar ensured that these offerings could be made at any time, reflecting the ongoing need for atonement and the Israelites' continuous relationship with God. Priestly Duties The priests, descendants of Aaron, were responsible for maintaining the fire on the altar. Their duties included adding wood to the fire each morning, arranging the offerings, and ensuring that the fire did not go out. This task was a sacred duty, emphasizing the holiness required of those who served in the presence of God. The priests' role in maintaining the altar's fire also highlighted the mediatory function they served between God and the people. They were to ensure that the sacrificial system operated smoothly, facilitating the people's worship and atonement. Theological Significance The Altar of Burnt-Offering and its perpetual fire hold deep theological significance. They point to the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin, which separates humanity from a holy God. The continuous fire symbolizes God's eternal presence and the unceasing need for reconciliation with Him. In Christian theology, the altar and its sacrifices prefigure the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who offered Himself once for all as the perfect atonement for sin. As the book of Hebrews explains, Christ's sacrifice supersedes the old sacrificial system, providing a new and living way to approach God (Hebrews 10:19-22). The Altar of Burnt-Offering, with its ever-burning fire, thus serves as a powerful symbol of God's holiness, the gravity of sin, and the provision of atonement through sacrifice, ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Torrey's Topical Textbook Leviticus 6:13The fire shall ever be burning on the altar; it shall never go out. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library God's People in the Furnace Christ Our Passover Scriptural Types. The Death of Christ Rom. xii. 1 The Prophet Amos. Instruction for the Ignorant: A Discourse of Mercifulness Solomon's Temple Spiritualized The Saints' Privilege and Profit; 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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