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Selected Verse: Exodus 20:24 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
Ex 20:24	Strong Concordance	An altar [04196] of earth [0127] thou shalt make [06213] unto me, and shalt sacrifice [02076] thereon thy burnt offerings [05930], and thy peace offerings [08002], thy sheep [06629], and thine oxen [01241]: in all places [04725] where I record [02142] my name [08034] I will come [0935] unto thee, and I will bless [01288] thee.
	King James	An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me--a regulation applicable to special or temporary occasions.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me--a regulation applicable to special or temporary occasions.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
For the worship of Jehovah, the God of heaven, Israel needed only an altar, on which to cause its sacrifices to ascend to God. The altar, as an elevation built up of earth or rough stones, was a symbol of the elevation of man to God, who is enthroned on high in the heaven; and because man was to raise himself to God in his sacrifices, Israel also was to make an altar, though only of earth, or if of stones, not of hewn stones. "For if thou swingest thy tool (חרב lit., sharpness, then any edge tool) over it (over the stone), thou defilest it" (Exo 20:25). "Of earth:" i.e., not "of comparatively simple materials, such as befitted a representation of the creature" (Schultz on Deut 12); for the altar was not to represent the creature, but to be the place to which God came to receive man into His fellowship there. For this reason the altar was to be made of the same material, which formed the earthly soil for the kingdom of God, either of earth or else of stones, just as they existed in their natural state; not, however, "because unpolished stones, which retain their true and native condition, appear to be endowed with a certain native purity, and therefore to be most in harmony with the sanctity of an altar" (Spencer de legg. Hebr. rit. lib. ii. c. 6), for the "native purity" of the earth does not agree with Gen 3:17; but because the altar was to set forth the nature of the simple earthly soil, unaltered by the hand of man. The earth, which has been involved in the curse of sin, is to be renewed and glorified into the kingdom of God, not by sinful men, but by the gracious hand of God alone. Moreover, Israel was not to erect the altar for its sacrifices in any place that it might choose, but only in every place in which Jehovah should bring His name to remembrance. וגו שׁם הזכּיר does not mean "to make the name of the Lord remembered," i.e., to cause men to remember it; but to establish a memorial of His name, i.e., to make a glorious revelation of His divine nature, and thereby to consecrate the place into a holy soil (cf. Exo 3:5), upon which Jehovah would come to Israel and bless it. Lastly, the command not to go up to the altar by steps (Exo 20:26) is followed by the words, "that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." It was in the feeling of shame that the consciousness of sin first manifested itself, and it was in the shame that the sin was chiefly apparent (Gen 3:7); hence the nakedness was a disclosure of sin, through which the altar of God would be desecrated, and for this reason it was forbidden to ascend to the altar by steps. These directions with reference to the altar to be built do not refer merely to the altar, which was built for the conclusion of the covenant, nor are they at variance with the later instructions respecting the one altar at the tabernacle, upon which all the sacrifices were to be presented (Lev 17:8-9; Deu 12:5.), nor are they merely "provisional" but they lay the foundation for the future laws with reference to the places of worship, though without restricting them to one particular locality on the one hand, or allowing an unlimited number of altars on the other. Hence "several places and altars are referred to here, because, whilst the people were wandering in the desert, there could be no fixed place for the tabernacle" (Riehm). But the erection of the altar is unquestionably limited to every place which Jehovah appointed for the purpose by a revelation. We are not to understand the words, however, as referring merely to those places in which the tabernacle and its altar were erected, and to the site of the future temple (Sinai, Shilloh, and Jerusalem), but to all those places also where altars were built and sacrifices offered on extraordinary occasions, on account of God, - appearing there such, for example, as Ebal (Jos 8:30 compared with Deu 27:5), the rock in Ophrah (Jdg 6:25-26), and many other places besides.

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

For the worship of Jehovah, the God of heaven, Israel needed only an altar, on which to cause its sacrifices to ascend to God. The altar, as an elevation built up of earth or rough stones, was a symbol of the elevation of man to God, who is enthroned on high in the heaven; and because man was to raise himself to God in his sacrifices, Israel also was to make an altar, though only of earth, or if of stones, not of hewn stones. "For if thou swingest thy tool (חרב lit., sharpness, then any edge tool) over it (over the stone), thou defilest it" (Exo 20:25). "Of earth:" i.e., not "of comparatively simple materials, such as befitted a representation of the creature" (Schultz on Deut 12); for the altar was not to represent the creature, but to be the place to which God came to receive man into His fellowship there. For this reason the altar was to be made of the same material, which formed the earthly soil for the kingdom of God, either of earth or else of stones, just as they existed in their natural state; not, however, "because unpolished stones, which retain their true and native condition, appear to be endowed with a certain native purity, and therefore to be most in harmony with the sanctity of an altar" (Spencer de legg. Hebr. rit. lib. ii. c. 6), for the "native purity" of the earth does not agree with Gen 3:17; but because the altar was to set forth the nature of the simple earthly soil, unaltered by the hand of man. The earth, which has been involved in the curse of sin, is to be renewed and glorified into the kingdom of God, not by sinful men, but by the gracious hand of God alone. Moreover, Israel was not to erect the altar for its sacrifices in any place that it might choose, but only in every place in which Jehovah should bring His name to remembrance. וגו שׁם הזכּיר does not mean "to make the name of the Lord remembered," i.e., to cause men to remember it; but to establish a memorial of His name, i.e., to make a glorious revelation of His divine nature, and thereby to consecrate the place into a holy soil (cf. Exo 3:5), upon which Jehovah would come to Israel and bless it. Lastly, the command not to go up to the altar by steps (Exo 20:26) is followed by the words, "that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon." It was in the feeling of shame that the consciousness of sin first manifested itself, and it was in the shame that the sin was chiefly apparent (Gen 3:7); hence the nakedness was a disclosure of sin, through which the altar of God would be desecrated, and for this reason it was forbidden to ascend to the altar by steps. These directions with reference to the altar to be built do not refer merely to the altar, which was built for the conclusion of the covenant, nor are they at variance with the later instructions respecting the one altar at the tabernacle, upon which all the sacrifices were to be presented (Lev 17:8-9; Deu 12:5.), nor are they merely "provisional" but they lay the foundation for the future laws with reference to the places of worship, though without restricting them to one particular locality on the one hand, or allowing an unlimited number of altars on the other. Hence "several places and altars are referred to here, because, whilst the people were wandering in the desert, there could be no fixed place for the tabernacle" (Riehm). But the erection of the altar is unquestionably limited to every place which Jehovah appointed for the purpose by a revelation. We are not to understand the words, however, as referring merely to those places in which the tabernacle and its altar were erected, and to the site of the future temple (Sinai, Shilloh, and Jerusalem), but to all those places also where altars were built and sacrifices offered on extraordinary occasions, on account of God, - appearing there such, for example, as Ebal (Jos 8:30 compared with Deu 27:5), the rock in Ophrah (Jdg 6:25-26), and many other places besides.

Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65]
An altar of earth - It is meant of occasional altars, such as they reared in the wilderness before the tabernacle was erected, and afterwards upon special emergencies, for present use. They are appointed to make these very plain, either of earth or of unhewn stones. That they might not be tempted to think of a graven image, they must not so much as hew the stones into shape, that they made their altars of, but pile them up as they were in the rough. In all places where I record my name - Or where my name is recorded, that is, where I am worshipped in sincerity, I will come unto thee, and will bless thee.

Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826
Thy burnt-offerings, and thy peace-offerings - The law concerning which was shortly to be given, though sacrifices of this kind were in use from the days of Abel. In all places where I record my name - Wherever I am worshipped, whether in the open wilderness, at the tabernacle, in the temple, the synagogues, or elsewhere, I will come unto thee and bless thee. These words are precisely the same in signification with those of our Lord, Mat 18:20 : For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. And as it was Jesus who was the angel that spoke to them in the wilderness, Act 7:38, from the same mouth this promise in the law and that in the Gospel proceeded.

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²⁵ And it came to pass the same night [03915], that the LORD [03068] said [0559] unto him, Take [03947] thy father's [01] young [06499] bullock [07794], even the second [08145] bullock [06499] of seven [07651] years old [08141], and throw down [02040] the altar [04196] of Baal [01168] that thy father [01] hath, and cut down [03772] the grove [0842] that is by it:
²⁶ And build [01129] an altar [04196] unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] upon the top [07218] of this rock [04581], in the ordered place [04634], and take [03947] the second [08145] bullock [06499], and offer [05927] a burnt sacrifice [05930] with the wood [06086] of the grove [0842] which thou shalt cut down [03772].

⁵ And there shalt thou build [01129] an altar [04196] unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], an altar [04196] of stones [068]: thou shalt not lift up [05130] any iron [01270] tool upon them.

³⁰ Then Joshua [03091] built [01129] an altar [04196] unto the LORD [03068] God [0430] of Israel [03478] in mount [02022] Ebal [05858],

⁵ But unto the place [04725] which the LORD [03068] your God [0430] shall choose [0977] out of all your tribes [07626] to put [07760] his name [08034] there, even unto his habitation [07933] shall ye seek [01875], and thither thou shalt come [0935]:

⁸ And thou shalt say [0559] unto them, Whatsoever man [0376] there be of the house [01004] of Israel [03478], or of the strangers [01616] which sojourn [01481] among [08432] you, that offereth [05927] a burnt offering [05930] or sacrifice [02077],
⁹ And bringeth [0935] it not unto the door [06607] of the tabernacle [0168] of the congregation [04150], to offer [06213] it unto the LORD [03068]; even that man [0376] shall be cut off [03772] from among his people [05971].

⁷ And the eyes [05869] of them both [08147] were opened [06491], and they [01992] knew [03045] that they were naked [05903]; and they sewed [08609] fig [08384] leaves [05929] together [08609], and made themselves [06213] aprons [02290].

²⁶ Neither shalt thou go up [05927] by steps [04609] unto mine altar [04196], that thy nakedness [06172] be not discovered [01540] thereon.

⁵ And he said [0559], Draw not nigh [07126] hither [01988]: put off [05394] thy shoes [05275] from off thy feet [07272], for the place [04725] whereon [0834] thou standest [05975] is holy [06944] ground [0127].

¹⁷ And unto Adam [0121] he said [0559], Because thou hast hearkened [08085] unto the voice [06963] of thy wife [0802], and hast eaten [0398] of the tree [06086], of which [0834] I commanded thee [06680], saying [0559], Thou shalt not eat [0398] of it: cursed [0779] is the ground [0127] for thy sake; in sorrow [06093] shalt thou eat [0398] of it all [03605] the days [03117] of thy life [02416];

²⁵ And if thou wilt make [06213] me an altar [04196] of stone [068], thou shalt not build [01129] it of hewn stone [01496]: for if thou lift up [05130] thy tool [02719] upon it, thou hast polluted [02490] it.

³⁸ This [3778] is he [2076], that was [1096] in [1722] the church [1577] in [1722] the wilderness [2048] with [3326] the angel [32] which [3588] spake [2980] to him [846] in [1722] the mount [3735] Sina [4614], and [2532] with our [2257] fathers [3962]: who [3739] received [1209] the lively [2198] oracles [3051] to give [1325] unto us [2254]:

²⁰ For [1063] where [3757] two [1417] or [2228] three [5140] are [1526] gathered together [4863] in [1519] my [1699] name [3686], there [1563] am I [1510] in [1722] the midst [3319] of them [846].