Altars in the Bible were places of encounter, sacrifice, and covenant. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the altar served as a sacred space where humanity connected with the divine. Whether built by patriarchs like Abraham or central to temple worship, altars symbolize worship, repentance, and divine intervention.
In this post, we’ll look at 30 powerful Bible verses about altars and explore their deeper meanings. This guide also includes insight into the types of altars in the Bible, the spiritual significance of altars, and what the Bible says about the altar of God.
What is an Altar in the Bible?
An altar in biblical terms is a raised structure or designated space where sacrifices are made and worship is offered to God. In the Old Testament, altars were typically built using stone and placed wherever an individual experienced a profound interaction with God. In the New Testament, the concept of an altar becomes more spiritual and symbolic, emphasizing the heart as the place of offering.
Types of Altars in the Bible
There are several types of altars in the Bible, each with distinct spiritual implications:
- Altar of Sacrifice: Used for burnt offerings and sin offerings (Exodus 27:1-8). It was a central feature in the tabernacle and later the temple.
- Altar of Incense: Placed inside the holy place, this altar symbolized the prayers of the saints rising to God (Exodus 30:1-10; Revelation 8:3-4).
- Personal Altars: Built by individuals like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in response to divine encounters (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 26:25).
- False Altars: Constructed for idol worship, condemned throughout Scripture (1 Kings 12:28-33; Hosea 10:1-2).
- Symbolic Altars: Representing spiritual truths, such as the heart (Romans 12:1) or heaven’s throne room (Revelation 8:3–5).
Each altar represented a particular covenant, spiritual transaction, or rebellion depending on its purpose and dedication.
What Does the Bible Say About Altar of the God?
The altar of the God in the Bible represents a sacred place where humanity meets divinity. Whether through fire, sacrifice, or intercession, altars served as divine points of communication and communion.
Some key points:
- God gave specific instructions on how His altar should be built (Exodus 20:24–26).
- The altar is consecrated and anything touching it becomes holy (Exodus 29:37).
- At the altar, God’s presence would be felt (Leviticus 9:24).
- Jesus’ sacrifice is the ultimate fulfillment of all Old Testament altars (Hebrews 13:10).
Thus, the Bible verses about altars show the altar of God as a symbol of mercy, judgment, and covenant.
What Is the Spiritual Significance of Altars?
Altars in Scripture were more than physical structures; they had deep spiritual significance:
- Place of Encounter – Altars marked moments of divine visitation or covenant.
- Place of Sacrifice – Offering at the altar symbolized surrender and devotion.
- Place of Prayer – Incense altars signified prayers ascending to heaven.
- Place of Commitment – People often returned to altars to renew their dedication to God.
- Spiritual Warfare – Rebuilding broken altars often led to spiritual revival (1 Kings 18:30).
In the New Testament era, the altar symbolizes our hearts, where God desires daily sacrifice—our obedience and worship (Romans 12:1).
30 Powerful Bible Verses About Altars
Here are 30 powerful Bible verses about altars, selected to deepen your understanding and appreciation for their role in biblical faith and spiritual growth.
Old Testament Bible Verses About Altars
1. Genesis 8:20 “Then Noah built an altar to the Lord… and offered burnt offerings.”
2. Genesis 12:7 “The Lord appeared to Abram… So he built an altar there to the Lord.”
3. Genesis 22:9 “Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it.”
4. Genesis 26:25 “Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the Lord.”
5. Genesis 33:20 “There he set up an altar and called it El Elohe Israel.”
6. Exodus 17:15 “Moses built an altar and called it The Lord is my Banner.”
7. Exodus 20:24 “Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it.”
8. Leviticus 9:7 “Come to the altar and offer your sin offering and burnt offering.”
9. Leviticus 16:18 “He shall go out to the altar that is before the Lord and make atonement for it.”
10. Judges 6:24 “So Gideon built an altar to the Lord and called it The Lord Is Peace.”
11. Judges 21:4 “They built an altar and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.”
12. 1 Samuel 7:17 “Samuel built an altar there to the Lord.”
13. 1 Kings 18:30 “Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord, which had been torn down.”
14. 1 Kings 18:38 “Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and the soil.”
15. 2 Chronicles 4:1 “He made a bronze altar twenty cubits long…”
New Testament Bible Verses About Altars
16. Matthew 5:23-24 “Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled…”
17. Luke 1:11 “An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.”
18. Luke 11:51 “From the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah… between the altar and the sanctuary.”
19. Acts 17:23 “I found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god.”
20. Romans 12:1 “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”
21. Hebrews 13:10 “We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle have no right to eat.”
22. Revelation 6:9 “I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain.”
23. Revelation 8:3 “Another angel… came and stood at the altar with a golden censer.”
24. Revelation 8:5 “Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar…”
25. Revelation 9:13 “And I heard a voice coming from the four horns of the golden altar that is before God.”
26. Revelation 11:1 “Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshipers there.”
27. Revelation 14:18 “Another angel… who had charge of the fire, came from the altar.”
28. Hebrews 9:4 “…The altar of incense and the gold-covered ark of the covenant.”
29. Matthew 23:19 “You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?”
30. 1 Corinthians 10:18 “Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?”
Conclusion
These Bible verses about altars reflect how important altars were in biblical worship and covenant-making. Whether as places of sacrifice or points of spiritual remembrance, altars shaped the spiritual journey of God’s people. Today, while we may not physically build altars, we still raise spiritual ones through prayer, devotion, and living a life wholly dedicated to God.
By studying these scriptures, believers can renew their understanding of consecration, prayer, and worship, remembering that the ultimate altar is the cross where Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice.
Read also: 40 Warfare Prayers Against Family Altars
Read also: 40 Powerful Warfare Prayers to Expose Evil Altars
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