Lexical Summary
mizbeach: Altar
Original Word:מִזְבֵּחַ
Part of Speech:Noun Masculine
Transliteration:mizbeach
Pronunciation:miz-BAY-akh
Phonetic Spelling:(miz-bay'-akh)
KJV: altar
NASB:altar, altars
Word Origin:[fromH2076 (זָבַח - sacrifice)]
1. an altar
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
altar
Fromzabach; an altar -- altar.
see HEBREWzabach
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
zabachDefinitionan altar
NASB Translationaltar (349), altars (52).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
401Joshua 22:10 (Arabic
,
place of slaughter, trench made by torrent, Sabean DHM
Epigr. Denkm. 24); absolute
2 Kings 18:22 223t.,
Exodus 29:13 31t.; construct
Exodus 20:24 76t., suffix
Exodus 20:26 7t.,
1 Kings 8:31 3t.,
Deuteronomy 33:10;
Judges 6:31 2t.; plural
Numbers 23:1 5t.,
2 Kings 21:3 23t., suffix
Psalm 84:4, other suffixes 21 t.; —
J E narrate that altars were built by Noah after leaving the arkGenesis 8:20; by Abraham at ShechemGenesis 12:7, BethelGenesis 12:8, HebronGenesis 13:18, mountain in land MoriahGenesis 22:9; by Issac at BeershebaGenesis 26:25; by Jacob at ShechemGenesis 33:20 (yet this perhaps mistake for , being object of , not elsewhere with , compare also Di), at BethelGenesis 35:7, by Moses at RephidimExodus 17:15, HorebExodus 24:4, by Balak at Bamoth Baal, Pisgah, & PeorNumbers 23:1,14,29; by Joshua on Mt. EbalJoshua 8:30: the prophetic histories narrate that altars were built by Gideon at OphraJudges 6:24; by a man of God at BethelJudges 21:4; by Samuel at Ramah1 Samuel 7:17; by Saul after Michmash1 Samuel 14:35; by David on the threshing floor of Ornan2 Samuel 24:25 =1 Chronicles 21:18;1 Chronicles 22:1; that Solomon sacrificed on the altar at Gibeon1 Kings 3:4 and built altars in the temple at Jerusalem1 Kings 6:20;1 Kings 8:64; that Jeroboam built an altar at Bethel1 Kings 12:32 (which was destroyed by Josiah2 Kings 23:15); and that Elijah repaired an ancient altar on Carmel1 Kings 18:30. An altar in Egypt is predictedIsaiah 19:19. All this accords with the law of the Covenant codeExodus 20:24-26 which recognises a plurality of altars and prescribes that they shall be built of , or of unhewn stones, and without steps. SoDeuteronomy 27:6 (JE),Joshua 8:31, and twelve stones1 Kings 18:30,32; compareIsaiah 27:9. The altar was also a place of refugeExodus 21:24 (JE)1 Kings 1:50,51;1 Kings 2:28.
D prescribes one central altarDeuteronomy 12:5f. 27; but no attempt to enforce this principle appears before Hezekiah(2Kings 18:4,22), and Josiah, whose reform is more effectual,2 Kings 23:8-20.
. A great altar was built east of the Jordan, but it was according to P only as an after the pattern of the altar before the TabernacleJoshua 22:10-34. P describes two altars:
theExodus 30:28;Exodus 31:9;Exodus 35:16;Exodus 38:1;Exodus 40:6,10,29;Leviticus 4:7,10,25 (twice in verse);Leviticus 4:30,34 =Exodus 38:30;Exodus 39:39, made of acacia wood plated with brass, 5*5*3 cubits in size, with four horns and a network of brass, on which all sacrifices by fire were madeExodus 27:1;Exodus 8;Exodus 38:1-7;
made of acacia wood plated with gold, 1*1*2 cubits in size, with four horns and a crown of goldExodus 30:1-6 =Exodus 30:27;Exodus 31:8;Exodus 35:15;Exodus 37:25 =Exodus 39:38;Exodus 40:5,26;Numbers 4:11 =Leviticus 4:7; these altars are named elsewhere only in Chronicles:1 Chronicles 6:34;1 Chronicles 16:40;1 Chronicles 21:29; 2Chronicles 1:5,6.
:
for the court1 Kings 8:64 (which was laid aside by Ahaz2 Kings 16:14,15, who made an altar after the model of one he saw in Damascus2 Kings 16:11); in2 Kings 16:14 (construct form with article) is erroneous, read probably compare Ges§ 127. 4 a near the end; this altar, according to Chronicles, measured 20*20*10 cubits 2 Chronicles 4:1; this also 2 Chronicles 7:7 &Ezekiel 9:2; = 2Chronicles 29:18, repaired by Asa 2 Chronicles 15:8;
1 Kings 6:20,22;1 Kings 7:48; = 2Chronicles 4:19; =1 Chronicles 28:18; 2Chronicles 26:16.
:
Ezekiel 41:22;
, probably same dimensions as , with stairsEzekiel 43:13-17.
Ezra 3:2.
1 Kings 16:32; Ahaz made an altar on the roof of the upper chamber, and other kings of Judah made altars in the two courts, all of which were destroyed by Josiah2 Kings 23:12.
Genesis 35:7 (E)Genesis 8:20 (J)Deuteronomy 27:5,6;Exodus 32:5 (JE) +, implying building material; other verbs are2 Samuel 24:18;1 Kings 16:32;2 Kings 21:3;1 Chronicles 21:18; 2Chronicles 33:3;Ezra 3:3 (followed by );Jeremiah 11:13;Genesis 33:20 (but compare
);Numbers 23:4 (E) hasarrange,prepare;Genesis 35:1,3;Exodus 20:24 (E)Genesis 13:4 (J) Judg 22:28;1 Kings 12:33;1 Kings 18:26; this becomes usual in P,Exodus 27:1;Exodus 30:1;Exodus 37:25;Exodus 38:1,30,Songs 2 Chronicles 4:1,19; 7:7; 28:24.
Numbers 7:10,11,84,88; 2Chronicles 7:9; it was anointed with oilExodus 40:10;Leviticus 8:11;Numbers 7:10 (all P).
Exodus 34:13 (JE)Deuteronomy 7:5;Judges 2:2;Judges 6:30,31,32;2 Kings 11:18;2 Kings 23:12,15; (Pi)Deuteronomy 12:3; 2Chronicles 31:1; 34:4,7;Judges 6:28;Judges 6:25;1 Kings 19:10,14; 2Chronicles 23:17>;2 Kings 18:22 =Isaiah 36:7; 2Chron 14:2; 2 Chronicles 30:14; 32:12; 33:15.
Numbers 18:5;Ezekiel 40:46, compareNumbers 3:31 (P),Joel 1:13; is said of officiating priest1 Kings 13:1,Exodus 20:26;1 Samuel 2:28;1 Kings 12:33 + (compareLeviticus 9:22); sacrifices were usually offeredGenesis 22:9;Deuteronomy 12:27 +; see especially the phrases withExodus 29:16,20 + (see );Leviticus 4:10 (see );Leviticus 6:3 + (see
)Nehemiah 10:35; butGenesis 8:20 (J)Numbers 23:2,4,14,30 (E); one touching the altar isExodus 29:37 (P); of placing, or standingbefore altarDeuteronomy 26:4;1 Kings 8:22; as
in phrases especially withExodus 29:13 +, andLeviticus 14:20.
; sin is represented as gravenJeremiah 17:1; therefore of blood for cleansing it was saidExodus 29:12;Leviticus 4:7,18,25,30,34;Leviticus 8:15;Leviticus 9:9;Leviticus 16:18 (all P). An ancient custom is referred to,Psalm 118:27bind the festal victim with cords, unto the horns of the altar: Ainsworth paraphrases: 'that is, all the court over, untill you come even to the hornes of the altar, intending hereby many sacrifices,' so De; but Che 'bind the procession with branches, (step on) to the altar-horns,' that is in sacred procession round the altar.
the (q. v.) is also referred to in the ritual of the sin-offerings in the phrasesLeviticus 8:15;Leviticus 9:9 &Exodus 29:12;Leviticus 4:7,18,25,30,34 (all P)Leviticus 5:9.
Exodus 29:37;Exodus 40:10 (P); but repeated sin-offerings were necessary to keep it pure and cleanse it from the pollution of the people in whose midst it was situated. This is expressed byLeviticus 8:15 (P)Ezekiel 43:22;Leviticus 16:20,33 (P)Ezekiel 43:26;Exodus 29:44;Exodus 40:10;Leviticus 8:15;Numbers 7:1 (P); 2Chronicles 29:18.
see below .
Topical Lexicon
Definition and Scope of UseThe noun מִזְבֵּחַ, “altar,” appears roughly four hundred times in the Hebrew Scriptures, describing places where offerings are presented to the LORD. Altars function as physical meeting-points between God and humanity, receiving burnt, grain, peace, sin, and guilt offerings, as well as incense. They stand at the heart of covenant life, worship, atonement, and fellowship.
Earliest Altars and the Patriarchs
• Genesis records the first post-flood altar: “Then Noah built an altar to the LORD” (Genesis 8:20). The smoke of Noah’s sacrifice rises as “a soothing aroma,” prefiguring later sacrificial language.
• Abram establishes altars as he moves through Canaan—Shechem (Genesis 12:7), between Bethel and Ai (Genesis 12:8; 13:4), Hebron (Genesis 13:18), and Mount Moriah (Genesis 22:9). Each altar marks divine revelation, covenant promise, or obedience.
• Isaac (Genesis 26:25) and Jacob (Genesis 33:20; 35:7) continue the pattern, testifying that true worship is central to covenant continuity.
Sinai and the Two Sanctuary Altars
At Sinai the worship of God is systematically ordered:
1. The Bronze Altar of Burnt Offering (Exodus 27:1-8). Situated in the courtyard, it receives daily burnt offerings, national atonements (Leviticus 16), and festal sacrifices.
2. The Golden Altar of Incense (Exodus 30:1-10). Placed before the veil inside the Holy Place, it symbolizes prayer ascending perpetually. Aaron must “make atonement on its horns once a year” (Exodus 30:10), linking the fragrance of prayer with the blood of propitiation.
Materials and Construction
• Simple earth or uncut stone is commanded for open-air worship (Exodus 20:24-26), guarding against idolatrous artistry.
• Bronze (copper alloy) forms the courtyard altar, withstands fire, and pictures judgment.
• Acacia wood overlaid with gold fashions the incense altar, speaking of holiness and glory.
Altars in Israel’s Historical Narrative
• Joshua follows Mosaic precedent at Mount Ebal: “an altar of uncut stones on which no iron tool had been used” (Joshua 8:31).
• The Trans-Jordan tribes erect a great replica altar as a witness of shared covenant identity (Joshua 22), underscoring that right worship and right location belong together.
• Gideon, Samuel, and David raise provisional altars during crises (Judges 6:24;1 Samuel 7:17;2 Samuel 24:25). David’s purchase of Araunah’s threshing floor becomes the temple site.
• Solomon’s temple enlarges the bronze altar (2 Chronicles 8:12-13), integrating sacrifice with the Levitical choirs—a foretaste of worship “in the splendor of holiness” (2 Chronicles 20:21).
Corruption and Reform
• Jeroboam fashions counterfeit altars at Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:28-33). A prophetic sign splits the Bethel altar (1 Kings 13:5), proving God’s rejection of syncretism.
• Hezekiah and Josiah purge idolatrous altars (2 Chronicles 30:14;2 Kings 23:8-20), illustrating the pattern of reformation: destroy the false, restore the true.
Prophetic Perspective
The prophets expose heartless ritual:
• “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams” (Isaiah 1:11).
• Hosea calls Israel to sincere devotion: “Let us press on to know the LORD… For steadfast love is what I desire, not sacrifice” (Hosea 6:3-6).
Yet hope remains: “In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt” (Isaiah 19:19), forecasting Gentile worship.
Exile and Restoration
With no temple, Ezekiel envisions a future altar (Ezekiel 43:13-27), complete with a seven-day dedication ceremony that echoes and surpasses earlier consecrations.
Upon return, Jeshua and Zerubbabel rebuild the altar before laying the second temple’s foundation: “They set the altar on its foundation… and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, morning and evening” (Ezra 3:2-3). Worship takes priority even amid political insecurity.
Typological Fulfillment in Christ
Hebrews draws the lines together: “We have an altar from which those who serve at the tabernacle have no right to eat” (Hebrews 13:10). The cross becomes the true מִזְבֵּחַ where Christ, both Priest and Sacrifice, offers Himself “once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). Believers therefore approach God “by a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20) yet continue to offer “a sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).
Contemporary Ministry Significance
1. Atonement accomplished: The ancient altar system culminates in the finished work of Jesus Christ; assurance rests not in repeated offerings but in His single sacrifice.
2. Worship regulated: Biblical patterns warn against innovation that obscures the gospel. Genuine worship aligns with revealed truth, exalting God’s holiness and grace.
3. Devotion embodied:Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies “as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” The daily life of faith becomes an altar of continual consecration.
4. Intercession sustained: The incense altar’s symbolism reminds the church to persevere in prayer, confident that the risen Christ “always lives to intercede” (Hebrews 7:25).
Summary
From Noah’s post-flood thanksgiving to Ezekiel’s eschatological vision, מִזְבֵּחַ anchors the account of redemption. Each stone and each rising flame point to the Lamb “slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). In Christ the altar’s purpose is perfected, inviting every believer to draw near, worship, and live continually in covenant fellowship with the living God.
Forms and Transliterations
בַּמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ בַּמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ במזבח במזבח׃ הַֽמִּזְבְּח֑וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֖וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֗וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּח֡וֹת הַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֞ת הַֽמִּזְבְּחֹת֙ הַֽמִּזְבְּחֽוֹת׃ הַֽמִּזְבְּחוֹת֙ הַֽמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֑חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֔חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֖חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חָה הַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ הַמִּזְבֵּ֛חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֜חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֡חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ ׀ הַמִּזְבֵּ֤חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֥חַ הַמִּזְבֵּ֧חַ הַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ הַמִּזְבֵּֽחָה׃ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֒ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ֮ הַמִּזְבַּ֣ח הַמִּזְבַּ֥ח המזבח המזבח׃ המזבחה המזבחה׃ המזבחות המזבחות׃ המזבחת וְהַֽמִּזְבְּחֹ֔ת וְהַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ וְהַמִּזְבֵּ֣חַ וְלַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ וּלְמִזְבַּ֤ח וּלְמִזְבַּ֧ח וּמִזְבַּ֣ח וּמִזְבַּ֥ח וּמִזְבַּ֧ח והמזבח והמזבחת ולמזבח ומזבח לְהַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ לְמִזְבַּ֥ח לַֽמִּזְבְּח֔וֹת לַמִּזְבֵּ֑חַ לַמִּזְבֵּ֔חַ לַמִּזְבֵּ֖חַ לַמִּזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ לַמִּזְבֵּֽחַ׃ להמזבח למזבח למזבח׃ למזבחות מִ֭זְבְּחוֹתֶיךָ מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖ מִזְבְּח֖וֹת מִזְבְּח֛וֹת מִזְבְּח֣וֹת מִזְבְּח֣וֹתֵיכֶ֔ם מִזְבְּח֤וֹת מִזְבְּח֥וֹת מִזְבְּחִ֑י מִזְבְּחִ֔י מִזְבְּחִ֖י מִזְבְּחִ֗י מִזְבְּחִי֙ מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ׃ מִזְבְּחֹ֑ת מִזְבְּחֹ֔ת מִזְבְּחֹ֖ת מִזְבְּחֹ֜ת מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם מִזְבְּחֹתֶ֣יךָ מִזְבְּחֹתָ֑יו מִזְבְּחֹתָ֔יו מִזְבְּחֹתָ֥יו מִזְבְּחֹתָם֙ מִזְבְּחֽוֹ׃ מִזְבְּחֽוֹתֵיהֶ֑ם מִזְבְּחֽוֹתֵיכֶ֗ם מִזְבְּחוֹ֙ מִזְבְּחוֹת֙ מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיהֶ֖ם מִזְבְּחוֹתֵיכֶֽם׃ מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֑ם מִזְבְּחוֹתָ֔ם מִזְבְּחוֹתָם֙ מִזְבֵּ֑חַ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ מִזְבֵּ֖חַ מִזְבֵּ֗חַ מִזְבֵּ֙חַ֙ מִזְבֵּ֜חַ מִזְבֵּ֣חַ מִזְבֵּ֥חַ מִזְבֵּ֧חַ מִזְבֵּֽחַ׃ מִזְבַּ֖ח מִזְבַּ֛ח מִזְבַּ֣ח מִזְבַּ֤ח מִזְבַּ֥ח מִזְבַּ֧ח מִזְבַּ֨ח מִזְבַּ֬ח מִזְבַּח֙ מִזְבַּחֲךָ֣ מִזְבְּחֹותָ֑ם מִזְבְּחֹתָ֤יו מִזְבּחֹתָ֗ם מזבח מזבח׃ מזבחו מזבחו׃ מזבחות מזבחותיהם מזבחותיך מזבחותיכם מזבחותיכם׃ מזבחותם מזבחי מזבחך מזבחך׃ מזבחת מזבחתיהם מזבחתיו מזבחתיך מזבחתם bam·miz·bê·aḥ bammizBeach bammizbêaḥ ham·miz·baḥ ham·miz·bê·aḥ ham·miz·bê·ḥāh ham·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ hammizBach hammizbaḥ hammizBeach hammizbêaḥ hammizBechah hammizbeChot hammizbêḥāh hammizbəḥōṯ hammizbəḥōwṯ lam·miz·bê·aḥ lam·miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ lammizBeach lammizbêaḥ lammizbeChot lammizbəḥōwṯ lə·ham·miz·bê·aḥ lə·miz·baḥ lehammizBeach ləhammizbêaḥ lemizBach ləmizbaḥ miz·b·ḥō·ṯām miz·ba·ḥă·ḵā miz·baḥ miz·bê·aḥ miz·bə·ḥe·ḵā miz·bə·ḥî miz·bə·ḥō·ṯām miz·bə·ḥō·ṯāw miz·bə·ḥō·ṯê·hem miz·bə·ḥō·ṯe·ḵā miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯām miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯê·hem miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯe·ḵā miz·bə·ḥō·w·ṯê·ḵem miz·bə·ḥō·wṯ miz·bə·ḥōṯ miz·bə·ḥōw mizBach mizbachaCha mizbaḥ mizbaḥăḵā mizbchoTam mizBeach mizbêaḥ mizbeChecha mizbeChi mizbeCho mizbeChot mizbechoTam mizbechoTav mizbechoTeicha mizbechoteiChem mizbechoteiHem mizbəḥeḵā mizbəḥî mizbəḥōṯ mizbəḥōṯām mizbəḥōṯāw mizbəḥōṯêhem mizbəḥōṯeḵā mizbəḥōw mizbəḥōwṯ mizbəḥōwṯām mizbəḥōwṯêhem mizbəḥōwṯeḵā mizbəḥōwṯêḵem mizbḥōṯām ū·lə·miz·baḥ ū·miz·baḥ ulemizBach ūləmizbaḥ umizBach ūmizbaḥ vehammizBeach vehammizbeChot velammizBeach wə·ham·miz·bê·aḥ wə·ham·miz·bə·ḥōṯ wə·lam·miz·bê·aḥ wəhammizbêaḥ wəhammizbəḥōṯ wəlammizbêaḥ
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