# 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: [[../other/altarofincense.md]], [[../kt/falsegod.md]], [[../other/grainoffering.md]], [[../other/sacrifice.md]])

## Bible References: ##

* [Genesis 08:20-22](en/tn/gen/help/08/20)
* [Genesis 22:9-10](en/tn/gen/help/22/09)
* [James 02:21-24](en/tn/jas/help/02/21)
* [Luke 11:49-51](en/tn/luk/help/11/49)
* [Matthew 05:23-24](en/tn/mat/help/05/23)
* [Matthew 23:18-19](en/tn/mat/help/23/18)

## Examples from the Bible stories: ##

* __[03:14](en/tn/obs/help/03/14)__ 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.
* __[05:08](en/tn/obs/help/05/08)__ When they reached the place of sacrifice, Abraham tied up his son Isaac and laid him on an __altar__.
* __[13:09](en/tn/obs/help/13/09)__ A priest would kill the animal and burn it on the __altar__.
* __[16:06](en/tn/obs/help/16/06)__ 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.