Topical Encyclopedia The Altar of Burnt-Offering, also known as the Bronze Altar, holds significant importance in the religious practices of ancient Israel as described in the Old Testament. It was a central fixture in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple, serving as the primary location for sacrifices and offerings to Yahweh. The altar's designation as "Most Holy" underscores its sacred status and the reverence with which it was to be approached.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 27:1-2 , "You are to construct the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar is to be square, and three cubits high. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns are of one piece with the altar, and overlay it with bronze." The altar was designed to be portable, with poles for carrying, as the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness. Function and Rituals The primary function of the Altar of Burnt-Offering was to facilitate the sacrificial system ordained by God. It was here that burnt offerings, sin offerings, and peace offerings were made. Leviticus 1:9 states, "The priest is to burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." The sacrifices symbolized atonement for sin, dedication, and communion with God. The altar was also the site of the daily morning and evening sacrifices, as commanded in Exodus 29:38-39 : "This is what you are to offer regularly on the altar: two lambs a year old, each day, continually. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight." Holiness and Sanctity The Altar of Burnt-Offering was considered "Most Holy," a term that signifies its utmost sanctity and the divine presence associated with it. This designation is found in Exodus 40:10 : "Anoint the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils; consecrate the altar, and it will be most holy." The holiness of the altar required that it be treated with the highest respect and that only consecrated priests could perform rituals upon it. The altar's holiness also extended to its role in the Day of Atonement, as described in Leviticus 16:18-19 : "Then he shall go out to the altar that is before the LORD and make atonement for it. He shall take some of the bull’s blood and some of the goat’s blood and put it on all the horns of the altar. He is to sprinkle the blood on it with his finger seven times to cleanse and consecrate it from the uncleanness of the Israelites." Symbolism and Theological Significance The Altar of Burnt-Offering symbolizes the necessity of atonement and the seriousness of sin. It serves as a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who, according to Christian theology, fulfilled the sacrificial system through His death on the cross. Hebrews 10:10 reflects this fulfillment: "And by that will, we have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." The altar's role in the sacrificial system highlights the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God. It stands as a testament to the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing the need for holiness and obedience in worship. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 40:10And you shall anoint the altar of the burnt offering, and all his vessels, and sanctify the altar: and it shall be an altar most holy. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Copies of Things in the Heavens The Day of Atonement The Temple and Its Dedication What is the Sanctuary? What is the Sanctuary? The Story of the Angel by the Altar Scriptural Types. Concerning the Festivals; and How Each Day of Such Festival is to ... Concerning Things Performed in the Muron, and Concerning Things ... The Incense of Prayer 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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