Exodus 20 24

Exodus 20:24 kjv

An altar of earth thou shalt make unto me, and shalt sacrifice thereon thy burnt offerings, and thy peace offerings, thy sheep, and thine oxen: in all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.

Exodus 20:24 nkjv

An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.

Exodus 20:24 niv

"?'Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you.

Exodus 20:24 esv

An altar of earth you shall make for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I cause my name to be remembered I will come to you and bless you.

Exodus 20:24 nlt

"Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me ? your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 24 meaning

Exodus 20:24 provides initial instructions for Israelite worship following the Ten Commandments. It commands the construction of simple altars made of earth or unhewn stones, for offering burnt and peace sacrifices of sheep and oxen. The core principle is that wherever God chooses to make His name known and establish His presence, He promises to draw near to His people and bless them. This instruction emphasizes accessibility, humility, and the divine initiative in determining acceptable worship, setting a foundational pattern before the detailed regulations of the Tabernacle were given.

Exodus 20 24 Context

Exodus 20:24 immediately follows the giving of the Ten Commandments (Exod 20:1-17), the fundamental moral law of God's covenant with Israel, and the people's fearful reaction to God's awe-inspiring presence on Mount Sinai (Exod 20:18-20). Moses then acts as an intermediary, leading into additional "judgments" or civil and ceremonial laws, which begin in verse 22. This specific instruction about altars, known as "The Altar Law," serves as a crucial preface to the subsequent, more elaborate commands for the Tabernacle's construction. It sets forth principles for early, informal worship as the Israelites are still mobile and not yet fully prepared for a central sanctuary. It subtly contrasts with the elaborate, often ornate altars of pagan religions and reiterates God's sovereignty over the place and manner of worship, in opposition to human preferences or attempts to manipulate deity. The succeeding verse (Exod 20:25) further restricts altar construction by forbidding hewn stones, reinforcing the principle of simplicity and naturalness, while Exodus 20:26 forbids steps to the altar, perhaps to maintain modesty.

Exodus 20 24 Word analysis

• An altar (מִזְבַּח, mizbe'ach): A place of sacrifice. This term is consistently used in the Bible for structures on which offerings are made to God. It highlights the central role of sacrifice in reconciliation and communion with God.
• of earth (אֲדָמָה, adamah): Literally "ground" or "soil." This specifies the material. Its significance lies in its accessibility, humility, and raw nature. It points to worship that is not elaborate or dependent on advanced craftsmanship, accessible to a mobile and nascent nation. It also directly counters pagan practices where altars were often elaborate, cut stone structures, sometimes with pagan symbols. This implies a simple, portable, and temporary mode of worship before the construction of the Tabernacle.
• thou shalt make (תַעֲשֶׂה, ta'aseh): A direct command. This emphasizes God's specific instruction and Israel's obedience being paramount for acceptable worship.
• unto me: Stresses that all worship and sacrifice is directed solely to YHWH, affirming His singular authority and distinguishing Israel's worship from polytheistic practices. It reiterates the First Commandment's core principle.
• and shalt sacrifice thereon: A direct instruction on the purpose of the altar—for bringing offerings.
• thy burnt offerings (עֹלָה, olah): Meaning "that which goes up" or "ascends." This was a voluntary offering where the entire animal (except for the skin, which went to the priest) was consumed by fire, symbolizing complete dedication, atonement, and devotion to God. It expressed reconciliation and fellowship.
• and thy peace offerings (שְׁלָמִים, shelamin): Derived from "shalom," meaning "peace," "completeness," or "fellowship." This offering involved communal feasting, where parts of the sacrifice were given to God, parts to the priests, and parts consumed by the offerer and their family/friends. It symbolized peace, communion, and thanksgiving between God and worshiper.
• thy sheep, and thine oxen: Specifies the type of animal offerings, which were common livestock in the region and essential to the economy. This underlines that the sacrifices required were within their means, making worship practical and accessible.
• in all places where I record my name: A pivotal phrase. "Record my name" (אַזְכִּיר אֶת־שְׁמִי, azkir et-sh'mi) signifies where God chooses to manifest His presence or identify Himself. It indicates divine initiative; the choice of location for worship rests with God, not humans. This clause prevents arbitrary worship sites while also not restricting God's presence to one sole location yet. This flexibility was necessary for their nomadic existence. "My name" refers to God's character, authority, and presence (e.g., Yahweh, 'I AM'). It counters the pagan idea of gods dwelling solely in fixed, man-made temples.
• I will come unto thee: This is a powerful promise of divine presence. It highlights the interactive nature of the covenant relationship. God initiates, Israel responds in obedience, and God draws near. This is not conditional on grand altars or human merit, but on obedience to God's designated will.
• and I will bless thee: The ultimate outcome and incentive for obedience. Divine blessing encompasses all aspects of well-being, prosperity, protection, and fruitfulness. It underscores that proper worship leads to God's favor and provision.

Exodus 20 24 Bonus section

This verse also foreshadows a deeper spiritual truth, where true worship is not about a physical location or an elaborate altar, but about the heart and spirit. The shift from "altars of earth" to a magnificent Tabernacle, then Temple, and ultimately to Jesus Christ (the true "altar" and sacrifice) demonstrates God's progressive revelation of worship. While the physical altar served as a point of contact for atonement in the Old Covenant, it ultimately pointed to the spiritual "altar" of Christ's cross where the ultimate "burnt offering" (Himself) was made once for all. In the New Testament, believers are called to offer "spiritual sacrifices" (1 Pet 2:5) and present their "bodies as a living sacrifice" (Rom 12:1), shifting the focus from physical animal sacrifices to lives lived in worship. The "place where I record my name" ultimately points to the omnipresence of God's Spirit and the indwelling of Christ among His people, confirming that He truly comes to bless all who gather in His name (Matt 18:20).

Exodus 20 24 Commentary

Exodus 20:24, despite its brevity, encapsulates foundational principles for worship that precede and complement the later detailed Mosaic Law concerning the Tabernacle and Temple. The command for an altar of "earth" or "uncut stones" stands in stark contrast to the elaborate, often graven images and ornate structures of pagan cults of the ancient Near East. This polemic highlights Israel's distinction as a people called to worship the One True God without human embellishments or attempts to control the divine through artistry or architectural grandeur. The simplicity ensures accessibility and avoids any form of idol-making associated with craftsmanship, implicitly reinforcing the second commandment (Exod 20:4-5).

The verse asserts God's sovereignty over worship locations, stating, "in all places where I record my name." This initially decentralized form of worship accommodated Israel's nomadic phase but also set the stage for later centralization in the Tabernacle and then the Temple, which God specifically designated as the place for His name to dwell (Deut 12). God’s presence, signified by His "name," is not tied to a human-chosen sacred site but rather to where He sovereignly decides to manifest Himself. The promise, "I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee," reveals God's desire for intimate communion and His benevolent nature. It links obedience in worship directly to divine presence and blessing, establishing a key pattern throughout Israel's history: seeking God on His terms leads to His favor and provision. This verse subtly teaches that true worship is less about human effort and impressive structures, and more about obedient faith in God's chosen way, leading to a living encounter with Him.