New International VersionIf you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it.
New Living TranslationIf you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.
English Standard VersionIf you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stones, for if you wield your tool on it you profane it.
Berean Standard BibleNow if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.
King James BibleAnd if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
New King James VersionAnd if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.
New American Standard BibleAnd if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your chisel on it, you will profane it.
NASB 1995‘If you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.
NASB 1977‘And if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.
Legacy Standard BibleAnd if you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you wield your tool on it, you will profane it.
Amplified BibleIf you make an altar of stone for Me, you shall not build it of cut stones, for if you use a chisel on it, you will profane it.
Christian Standard BibleIf you make a stone altar for me, do not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.
Holman Christian Standard BibleIf you make a stone altar for Me, you must not build it out of cut stones. If you use your chisel on it, you will defile it.
American Standard VersionAnd if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
Contemporary English VersionIf you ever build an altar for me out of stones, do not use any tools to chisel the stones, because that would make the altar unfit for use in worship.
English Revised VersionAnd if thou make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIf you build an altar for me made out of stones, never make it with cut stone blocks. If you use a chisel on it, you will make it unacceptable to me.
Good News TranslationIf you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it out of cut stones, because when you use a chisel on stones, you make them unfit for my use.
International Standard VersionIf you make an altar of stone for me, you must not build it of cut stones, because if you strike it with your chisel, you will profane it.
NET BibleIf you make me an altar of stone, you must not build it of stones shaped with tools, for if you use your tool on it you have defiled it.
New Heart English BibleIf you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou shalt lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.
World English BibleIf you make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of cut stones; for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd if you make an altar of stones for Me, you do not build them of hewn work; when you have waved your tool over it, then you defile it;
Young's Literal Translation 'And if an altar of stones thou dost make to Me, thou dost not build them of hewn work; when thy tool thou hast waved over it, then thou dost pollute it;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd if thou shalt make to me an altar of stones, thou shalt not build them, cutting, for didst thou lift up thy sword upon it, and thou shalt defile it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd if thou make an altar of stone unto me, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones: for if thou lift up a tool upon it, it shall be defiled.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd if you make an altar of stone for me, you shall not build it from cut stones; for if you lift up a tool over it, it will be defiled.
New American BibleBut if you make an altar of stone for me, do not build it of cut stone, for by putting a chisel to it you profane it.
New Revised Standard VersionBut if you make for me an altar of stone, do not build it of hewn stones; for if you use a chisel upon it you profane it. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd if you make me a stone altar, you shall not build it of hewn stones; for if you lift a tool of iron upon it, you will have polluted it.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd if you make to me an altar of stone, you shall not build it with cut stone because you have lifted up iron upon it and you have polluted it. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And if thou make Me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stones; for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast profaned it.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd if thou wilt make to me an altar of stones, thou shalt not build them hewn stones; for thou hast lifted up thy tool upon them, and they are defiled.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Altar of Sacrifice24You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you. 25Now ifyou makean altarof stonesfor Me,you must notbuilditwith stones shaped by tools;for ifyou usea chiselon it,you will defile it.26And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’…
Cross References Deuteronomy 27:5-6Moreover, you are to build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. You must not use any iron tool on them. / You shall build the altar of the LORD your God with uncut stones and offer upon it burnt offerings to the LORD your God.
Joshua 8:31just as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the Israelites. He built it according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool has been used.” And on it they offered burnt offerings to the LORD, and they sacrificed peace offerings.
1 Kings 6:7The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.
Isaiah 44:9-20All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...
1 Kings 18:31-32And Elijah took twelve stones, one for each tribe of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come and said, “Israel shall be your name.” / And with the stones, Elijah built an altar in the name of the LORD. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed.
2 Kings 16:10-16Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath-pileser king of Assyria. On seeing the altar in Damascus, King Ahaz sent Uriah the priest a model of the altar and complete plans for its construction. / And Uriah the priest built the altar according to all the instructions King Ahaz had sent from Damascus, and he completed it before King Ahaz returned. / When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. ...
Ezekiel 20:39And as for you, O house of Israel, this is what the Lord GOD says: Go and serve your idols, every one of you. But afterward, you will surely listen to Me, and you will no longer defile My holy name with your gifts and idols.
Amos 5:21-24“I hate, I despise your feasts! I cannot stand the stench of your solemn assemblies. / Even though you offer Me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; for your peace offerings of fattened cattle I will have no regard. / Take away from Me the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. ...
Acts 17:24-25The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
Hebrews 9:11-12But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation. / He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.
Matthew 5:17-18Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
John 4:21-24“Believe Me, woman,” Jesus replied, “a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. / You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. / But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ...
Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? / If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1 Peter 2:5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Treasury of Scripture And if you will make me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone: for if you lift up your tool on it, you have polluted it. and Deuteronomy 27:5,6 And there shalt thou build an altar unto the LORD thy God, an altar of stones: thou shalt not lift upany irontool upon them… Joshua 8:31 As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift upany iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. build it of hewn stone. Jump to Previous AltarBuildCutDefileDressedHewnInstrumentLiftPollutePollutedProfaneProfanedSharpStoneStonesToolTouchUncleanUseWavedWieldWiltWorkJump to Next AltarBuildCutDefileDressedHewnInstrumentLiftPollutePollutedProfaneProfanedSharpStoneStonesToolTouchUncleanUseWavedWieldWiltWorkExodus 20 1.The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah18.The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them21.Idolatry is forbidden23.Of what sort the altar should beNow if you make an altar of stones for MeIn the ancient Near Eastern context, altars were central to worship practices. God instructs the Israelites to construct altars for sacrifices, which were a key component of their covenant relationship with Him. The use of natural stones signifies a return to simplicity and purity in worship, contrasting with the elaborate altars of surrounding pagan cultures. This command emphasizes the importance of worshiping God in a manner distinct from other religious practices of the time. you must not build it with stones shaped by tools
The prohibition against using tools on the stones underscores the idea that human effort or craftsmanship should not alter what God has created. This reflects a theological principle that worship should be based on God's provision and not human innovation. The use of uncut stones symbolizes the unadulterated and unmodified nature of true worship, aligning with the biblical theme of God's holiness and the purity required in approaching Him. for if you use a chisel on it
The mention of a chisel highlights the potential for human pride and self-reliance to infiltrate worship. In the cultural context, tools were often associated with human skill and artistry, which could lead to idolatry or the elevation of human achievement over divine provision. This instruction serves as a safeguard against the Israelites adopting the practices of surrounding nations, who often used ornate altars to honor their deities. you will defile it
Defilement in the biblical sense refers to making something unclean or unfit for sacred use. By using tools, the altar would become tainted by human intervention, thus losing its sanctity. This reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness, where God calls His people to maintain purity in their worship and lives. The concept of defilement is echoed throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for separation from sin and adherence to God's commands. This principle is seen in the New Testament, where believers are called to offer themselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). Persons / Places / Events 1. God (Yahweh)The speaker of the command, emphasizing His holiness and the proper way to worship Him. 2. MosesThe recipient of the commandments, serving as the mediator between God and the Israelites. 3. IsraelitesThe people receiving the law, called to worship God in a manner that reflects His holiness. 4. AltarA structure for offering sacrifices to God, symbolizing worship and devotion. 5. Mount SinaiThe location where God delivered the Ten Commandments and additional laws to Moses. Teaching Points Holiness in WorshipGod’s command to use uncut stones for altars underscores the importance of approaching Him with reverence and purity. Our worship should reflect His holiness, free from human manipulation or pride. Simplicity and ObedienceThe instruction to avoid using tools on the stones teaches us that God values obedience and simplicity over human craftsmanship. Our focus should be on His commands rather than our own embellishments. Symbolism of the AltarThe altar represents a place of meeting with God, sacrifice, and atonement. In our lives, we should create spaces and times dedicated to encountering God, free from distractions and personal agendas. Avoiding DefilementThe use of tools would defile the altar, symbolizing how human efforts can taint pure worship. We must guard against allowing our own desires or cultural influences to corrupt our devotion to God. Christ as Our AltarIn the New Testament, Christ becomes the ultimate altar and sacrifice. Our worship now centers on Him, and we are called to offer spiritual sacrifices through lives dedicated to His service. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Exodus 20:25?
2.Why does Exodus 20:25 prohibit using tools on an altar of stone?
3.How does Exodus 20:25 emphasize God's desire for purity in worship practices?
4.What connections exist between Exodus 20:25 and New Testament teachings on worship?
5.How can we apply the principle of simplicity in worship from Exodus 20:25 today?
6.In what ways does Exodus 20:25 challenge modern church practices and traditions?
7.Why does Exodus 20:25 prohibit using tools on the altar stones?
8.How does Exodus 20:25 reflect God's view on human craftsmanship?
9.What is the significance of uncut stones in Exodus 20:25?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20?
11.Why is the use of iron tools prohibited when constructing the altar in Deuteronomy 27:5, and does archaeology support this command?
12.If animal sacrifices were central (Leviticus 17), why does archaeological evidence not consistently support such frequent rituals across the entire region?
13.When is it time to scatter or gather stones?
14.If Exodus 20:4 forbids making graven images, why does Exodus 25:18 command crafting cherubim, appearing to contradict the earlier prohibition?What Does Exodus 20:25 Mean Now if you make an altar of stones for Me• God permits, even expects, His people to draw near in worship, yet He sets the terms (Exodus 20:24;Hebrews 12:28). • An altar is the meeting place between sinful humanity and the holy God—first modeled by Noah (Genesis 8:20) and mirrored later by Moses (Exodus 24:4) and Elijah (1 Kings 18:30–32). • “For Me” underscores that worship centers on God’s glory, not human creativity or convenience (Isaiah 42:8;Romans 11:36). • By saying “if,” the Lord acknowledges voluntary devotion: true worship springs from willing hearts (Psalm 110:3;2 Corinthians 9:7).
you must not build it with stones shaped by tools• Natural, untouched stones highlight God’s own handiwork versus human skill (Deuteronomy 27:5–6;Joshua 8:31). • Removing the hammer and chisel keeps pride at bay; salvation and worship rely on grace, not personal achievement (Ephesians 2:8–9;1 Corinthians 1:29). • The raw stones symbolize authenticity—worship that is simple, sincere, and free from showmanship (2 Kings 16:10–12 contrasts Ahaz’s imported altar). • Though God later prescribes ornate craftsmanship for the tabernacle furniture (Exodus 25–28), the sacrificial altar itself remains plain, distinguishing God-directed beauty from self-directed embellishment.
for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it• “Defile” indicates that human alteration corrupts what God calls holy (Leviticus 22:32;Isaiah 64:6). • Any attempt to enhance the altar mixes our imperfect efforts with His perfect provision, echoing Cain’s unacceptable offering (Genesis 4:3–5;Hebrews 11:4). • The warning foreshadows the sufficiency of Christ’s unblemished sacrifice: nothing must be added (Hebrews 9:14; 10:12). • Practical outworking today: – Avoid performance-driven worship styles that spotlight talent over truth (Colossians 2:23). – Keep gospel ministry uncluttered by human merit (Galatians 6:14). – Offer ourselves “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1), relying on His Spirit, not our polish.
summaryExodus 20:25 shows the Lord’s passion for worship that depends wholly on Him. He invites His people to build an altar, yet forbids human sculpting so that nothing distracts from His grace. In Christ—the ultimate, undefiled altar (Hebrews 13:10)—we draw near with humble, unadorned hearts, confident that His work alone makes our worship acceptable. (25) If thou wilt make me an altar of stone.--Among civilised nations altars were almost always of stone, which superseded earth, as more durable. God does not absolutely prohibit the employment of stone altars by the Israelites, who are found to use them upon certain occasions ( Joshua 8:31; 1Kings 18:32). He is content to forbid the shaping of the stones by an implement, that so they may not give rise to idolatry. (See Note on Exodus 20:24.) Thou hast polluted it.--Nature is God's handiwork, and, therefore, pure and holy. Man, by contact with it, imparts to it of his impurity. The altar, whereby sin was to be expiated, required to be free from all taint of human corruption. For the construction of the altar afterwards sanctioned, see the comment onExodus 27:1. Verse 25. - And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone - i.e., if, notwithstanding my preference expressed for an altar of earth, thou wilt insist on making me one of stone, as more permanent, and so more honourable, then I require that the stones shall be rough stones shaped by nature, not stones chiselled into shape by the art of man. For if thou liftup thy tool upon it thou hast polluted it. It is conjectured with reason that we have here an old traditional idea, which God thought fit under the existing circumstances to sanction. The real object was that altars should not be elaborately carved with objects that might superinduce idolatry. The widely prevalent notion, that nature is sacred, and that all man's interference with nature is a defilement, was made use of economically, to produce the desired result. No tool being allowed to be used, no forms of living creatures could be engraved, and so no idolatry of them could grow up.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Now ifוְאִם־(wə·’im-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyou makeתַּֽעֲשֶׂה־(ta·‘ă·śeh-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makean altarמִזְבַּ֤ח(miz·baḥ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196:An altarof stonesאֲבָנִים֙(’ă·ḇā·nîm)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 68:A stonefor Me,לִּ֔י(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewyou must notלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nobuildתִבְנֶ֥ה(ṯiḇ·neh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1129:To builditאֶתְהֶ֖ן(’eṯ·hen)Direct object marker | third person feminine plural
Strong's 853:Untranslatable mark of the accusative casewith stones shaped by tools;גָּזִ֑ית(gā·zîṯ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1496:Something cut, dressed stonefor ifכִּ֧י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionyou useהֵנַ֥פְתָּ(hê·nap̄·tā)Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5130:To move to and fro, wave, sprinklea chiselחַרְבְּךָ֛(ḥar·bə·ḵā)Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 2719:Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, swordon it,עָלֶ֖יהָ(‘ā·le·hā)Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstyou will defile it.וַתְּחַֽלְלֶֽהָ׃(wat·tə·ḥal·le·hā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2490:To bore, to wound, to dissolve, to profane, to break, to begin, to play
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OT Law: Exodus 20:25 If you make me an altar (Exo. Ex) |
