Exodus 20:25 kjv

And 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.

Exodus 20:25 nkjv

And 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.

Exodus 20:25 niv

If 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.

Exodus 20:25 esv

If 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.

Exodus 20:25 nlt

If 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.

Exodus 20 verses

Exodus 20 25 Meaning

Exodus 20:25 dictates that any altar built for God using stone must be constructed from unhewn, natural stones, untouched by human tools. Lifting a tool to shape or carve the stones would, according to this command, pollute or defile the altar, rendering it unfit for sacred use in worship. This injunction emphasizes simplicity, purity, and the distinction of Israel's worship from the practices of surrounding nations, reinforcing that God's sacred spaces should be solely according to His design, free from human alteration or embellishment that might introduce pride or idolatry.

Exodus 20 25 Context

Exodus 20:25 immediately follows the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai and precedes other statutes God provided to Israel (often called the Book of the Covenant, Ex 21-23). In this specific section (Ex 20:22-26), God gives instructions regarding the construction of altars, the place where offerings would be made and where His people would meet with Him. This command is presented right after the strict prohibitions against idolatry (Ex 20:3-6), forming a crucial initial regulation for true worship. Historically, the surrounding Canaanite and Egyptian cultures constructed elaborate temples and altars, often with highly decorated and carved stone features, used in the worship of their many deities. This specific command for simple, unhewn altars serves as a direct polemic, a counter-statement, against these prevailing pagan practices, ensuring that Israel's worship would stand apart and solely honor the invisible God who desires unadulterated devotion, not human artistic embellishment.

Exodus 20 25 Word analysis

• And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone,: This introduces a condition, not a universal command for all altars. "Altar" (מִזְבֵּחַ, mizbeaḥ) signifies a place of slaughter or sacrifice, and thus, a place of encounter with God. "Stone" (אֶבֶן, 'eben) emphasizes natural, basic material from creation, suggesting accessibility and the universal availability of worship to all, without the need for sophisticated building techniques.
• thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: "Hewn" (גָּזִית, gāzîṯ) specifically refers to stones that have been cut, dressed, or carved, implying human skill, effort, and alteration of the natural form. This is the central prohibition. It rejects human artistry or "improvement" on God's raw creation when it comes to the altar, a sacred meeting place.
• for if thou lift up thy tool upon it,: "Tool" (חֶרֶב, ḥereḇ in a broader sense for sharp metal implement, though usually translated "sword," here it signifies any implement for cutting or shaping). The act of lifting the tool implies human intervention and the assertion of human will and craftsmanship over the natural state and divine command.
• thou hast polluted it: "Polluted" (חָלַל, ḥālal) means to profane, to defile, to make common or unholy. This is a strong consequence. Even seemingly "improving" a natural stone by carving it for God's altar results in defilement. It renders the altar ceremonially unclean and unsuitable for its sacred purpose. This highlights God's demand for unblemished purity in His worship, untouched by potentially prideful or idolatrous human endeavors.

Words-group analysis

• "altar of stone... not of hewn stone": This pairing contrasts the divine preference for natural simplicity against human sophistication. It implies that for sacred spaces intended for God's worship, human alteration or beautification is not only unnecessary but actually counterproductive, potentially leading to defilement. God values the untouched, natural creation over human craftsmanship.
• "lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it": This phrase directly links human intervention with sacrilege. The tool, representing human skill, effort, and technology, is strictly forbidden in the construction of a holy object meant for encounter with God. Its application profanes, signifying that human "improvements" or "additions" to what God has ordained for His worship ultimately diminish its purity and holiness. This reflects a principle that divine worship should remain in its unadulterated form, directly reflecting God's instruction, not human ingenuity or pride.

Exodus 20 25 Bonus section

This injunction subtly reinforces the truth that God’s original creation is inherently perfect and sacred, particularly in the context of approaching Him. Any human attempt to reshape or "improve" it for worship risks injecting human imperfection, pride, or potentially idolatrous leanings into the sacred realm. The unhewn stone altar serves as a physical reminder that true worship flows from divine command and grace, not from human effort or innovation. It stands in stark contrast to man's continuous impulse to build towers to heaven or create elaborate structures as monuments to human achievement, even when purportedly for divine purposes. This principle resonates through the biblical narrative, emphasizing the danger of syncretism – blending divine truth with human constructs – and the perpetual call for purity in devotion to the One, True God.

Exodus 20 25 Commentary

Exodus 20:25 is a powerful testament to the nature of Yahweh's worship, setting it fundamentally apart from contemporary pagan practices. It communicates several profound truths. First, it asserts God's ultimate sufficiency: He does not require human ingenuity or elaborate craftsmanship to be glorified. Rather, He demands humble obedience and pure intentions. A simple, unhewn stone altar highlights the emphasis on the offerer and the object of worship, not the aesthetics of the structure. Second, it serves as an early guard against idolatry. Carved stones in ancient Near Eastern religions were often idols themselves or bore symbols related to false gods. By prohibiting hewn stones, God prevented Israel from adopting a form of worship that could lead to the making or worshipping of graven images or the inclusion of pagan elements, however subtle. Third, the consequence of "pollution" for merely touching the stone with a tool underlines a critical principle: human efforts to enhance divine command or make worship more "impressive" often result in its defilement. God's holiness requires a simple, direct, and unadulterated approach, focusing on His purity rather than human pride or skill. This concept carries through to the New Covenant where genuine worship is in "spirit and truth," emphasizing the heart's posture over elaborate ritual, acknowledging Christ as the ultimate, unblemished sacrifice that makes all believers a spiritual house for offering spiritual sacrifices.