Altar
מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach)
A place of sacrifice and encounter with God.
Mizbeach is the Hebrew word for altar, derived from the verb 'to slaughter.' It is the designated place where sacrifices are offered to God, symbolizing worship, surrender, and divine encounter.
"And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar." — Genesis 8:20 (KJV)
Key Verses
Genesis 8:20
“And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.”Read in context
Romans 12:1
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”Read in context
1 Kings 18:38
“Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”Read in context
Etymology and Original Meaning
Mizbeach comes from the Hebrew verb zavach, meaning 'to slaughter' or 'to sacrifice.' The altar was literally the 'place of slaughter.' From the earliest chapters of Genesis, altars mark encounters between God and humanity — places where heaven touches earth and people respond to God's presence with offering and worship.
Altars in the Old Testament
Noah built an altar after the flood (Genesis 8:20). Abraham built altars at Shechem, Bethel, Hebron, and Mount Moriah. The tabernacle had two altars: the bronze altar of burnt offering and the golden altar of incense. Elijah's altar on Mount Carmel became the site of God's dramatic fire from heaven (1 Kings 18).
The Altar and Sacrifice
Every altar pointed forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice. The shedding of blood upon the altar depicted the cost of sin and the provision of atonement. When Jesus died on the cross, He fulfilled what every altar sacrifice foreshadowed — the perfect, once-for-all offering that takes away sin (Hebrews 10:12).
The Living Altar Today
Paul transforms the altar concept in Romans 12:1, calling believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices. The physical altar is no longer needed because Christ's sacrifice was complete. Instead, the believer's entire life becomes an altar — a place of continual offering, worship, and surrender to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an altar in the Bible?
An altar (mizbeach) is a place of sacrifice and encounter with God. It is where offerings were presented to God, symbolizing worship, atonement, and surrender.
Do Christians need altars today?
Not physical altars, since Christ's sacrifice was once for all (Hebrews 10:10). However, Romans 12:1 calls believers to offer their lives as living sacrifices, making daily life an act of worship.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Altar"?
Genesis 8:20 — "And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar" (KJV). It also appears in Romans 12:1, 1 Kings 18:38.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Altar" matter?
Mizbeach comes from the Hebrew verb zavach, meaning 'to slaughter' or 'to sacrifice.' The altar was literally the 'place of slaughter.' From the earliest chapters of Genesis, altars mark encounters between God and humanity — places where… English uses one word, "Altar", where the Hebrew מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) carries the fuller sense: a place of sacrifice and encounter with god.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Altar (מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach))
A place of sacrifice and encounter with God.
Altar (מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach))
A place of sacrifice and encounter — where offerings are made and God meets His people.
Strong's H4196 — Altar
מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach) • A place of sacrifice and encounter — where offerings are made and God meets His people.
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Biblical Meaning of Fire in a Dream (KJV)
God's presence, purification, and judgment.
Hebrews 10:26 Commentary
In-depth study • The Weight of Wilful Sin
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