The Lasting Legacy of the Altar

The Context of Building of the Altar

Exodus 27:1-8 details the construction of the altar as a central component of the Tabernacle, reflecting its role in mediating worship between God and Israel.

In Exodus 27:1-2, God commands Moses to build an altar of acacia wood, 3.5 cubits high, with a square base of 1.5 cubits on each side. The altar was to be overlaid entirely with bronze, including its horns, which symbolized its sacred function in sacrifices. These specifications emphasized both durability and holiness, aligning with the Tabernacle’s purpose as a place of divine encounter.

The altar’s design and placement within the Tabernacle underscored its role as the primary site for burnt offerings. This structure, alongside other Tabernacle elements, prepared the Israelites for covenantal worship, a theme expanded in later chapters.

The Theological Significance of the Altar

The altar served as a central symbol of Israel’s covenantal relationship with God, embodying both His holiness and His accessibility.

Exodus 20:24-26 establishes the altar as a divinely sanctioned space for worship, specifying that it must be constructed from unworked stone or earth to avoid idolatrous associations. This directive underscores God’s rejection of human-made substitutes for divine mediation. The altar’s role in channeling worship toward God alone reflects His transcendence, as seen in Exodus 27:1-8, where its precise dimensions and bronze overlay emphasize its sacred function as a mediator between the holy God and sinful humanity.

In Leviticus 1:1-18, the altar becomes the designated site for burnt offerings, where the Israelites present animals to atone for sin and express devotion. The acacia wood of the altar (Exodus 27:1-2), though durable, was overlaid with bronze - a material associated with judgment and purification - to signify the altar’s role in reconciling God’s holiness with human imperfection. The altar’s horns, mentioned in Exodus 27:2, further symbolize its function in securing atonement, as later texts (e.g., Leviticus 4) describe blood being placed there to effect forgiveness.

This theological framework reveals the altar as more than a physical object. It was a covenantal bridge. By requiring specific materials and rituals, God ensured that worship remained focused on His holiness and not on human whims. The altar’s prominence in the Tabernacle (Exodus 27:7) also highlights God’s desire to dwell among His people while maintaining a sacred distance, a tension resolved through the sacrificial system. Such designations anticipate the ultimate mediation of Christ, who fulfills the altar’s symbolic purpose by offering Himself as the final sacrifice.

How the Altar Still Matters Today

The altar’s symbolic role in ancient worship finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, whose sacrifice reshapes how believers approach God.

Hebrews 13:10-16 clarifies that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross supersedes all Old Testament offerings, declaring, “We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat.” This passage emphasizes that Christ’s singular, perfect offering replaces the need for repeated sacrifices, aligning with the altar’s original purpose of bridging humanity and God. For modern believers, the altar symbolizes the access we now have to God through Christ, inviting worship that is not bound by physical rituals but by heartfelt devotion and service. As Hebrews instructs, our sacrifices now include acts of mercy, praise, and generosity - spiritual offerings that honor the covenant sealed by Christ’s blood.

Going Deeper

The building of the altar connects to other biblical passages that expand its significance in worship and covenantal theology.

Exodus 27 outlines its construction as part of the Tabernacle, while Leviticus 1 specifies its role in offering sacrifices. Hebrews 13:10-16 ultimately reveals how Christ’s sacrifice fulfills the altar’s purpose, inviting believers to offer spiritual sacrifices through Him.