Objects & worship
Altar
A raised or designated place where offerings were presented to God.
Also called · place of sacrifice
What it means
In Exodus 20, God instructs Israel to make an altar of earth. If they use stone, they must use uncut stones rather than shape them with a tool.
In Genesis 8, Noah builds an altar and offers clean animals and birds as burnt offerings. In Genesis 12, Abram builds an altar where God appears and promises the land to his descendants.
How it appears in the Bible
The tabernacle had two altars with different purposes. The burnt offering altar in the courtyard received animal and grain offerings; the incense altar stood before the veil inside the Holy Place. Both were made of wood, the first covered with bronze and the second with gold.
Translation note
The general word “altar” includes several structures with different functions.