altar

Definition

An altar was a raised structure on which the Israelites burned animals and grains as offerings to God.

• During Bible times, simple altars were often made by forming a mound of packed-down dirt or by carefully placing large stones to form a stable pile.
• Some special box-shaped altars were made of wood overlaid with metals such as gold, brass, or bronze.
• Other people groups living near the Israelites also built altars to offer sacrifices to their gods.

(See also: altar of incense, false god, grain offering, sacrifice)

Bible References

• Genesis 8:20
• Genesis 22:9
• James 2:21
• Luke 11:49-51
• Matthew 5:23
• Matthew 23:19

Examples from the Bible stories

• __3:14 After Noah got off the boat, he built an altar__ and sacrificed some of each kind of animal which could be used for a sacrifice.
• __5:8 When they reached the place of sacrifice, Abraham tied up his son Isaac and laid him on an altar__.
• __13:9 A priest would kill the animal and burn it on the altar__.
• __16:6 He (Gideon) built a new altar dedicated to God near where the altar__ to the idol used to be and made a sacrifice to God on it.

Word Data

• Strong’s: H0741, H2025, H4056, H4196, G10410, G23790