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(Heb. mizbe'ah, from a word meaning "to slay"), any structure of earth (Ex. 20:24) or unwrought stone (20:25) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places (Gen. [[Genesis 22:9]]; Ezek. [[Ezekiel 6:3]]; [[2 Kings 23:12]]; [[2 Kings 23|16:4]]; [[2 Kings 23|23:8]]; [[Acts 14:13]]). The word is used in Heb. [[Hebrews 13:10 ]] for the sacrifice offered upon it-the sacrifice [[Christ ]] offered.

[[Paul ]] found among the many altars erected in [[Athens ]] one bearing the inscription, "To the unknown God" ([[Acts 17:23]]), or rather "to an [i.e., some] unknown God." The reason for this inscription cannot now be accurately determined. It afforded the apostle the occasion of proclaiming the gospel to the "men of Athens."

The first altar we read of is that erected by Noah (Gen. [[Genesis 8:20]]). Altars were erected by Abraham (Gen. [[Genesis 12:7]]; [[[[Genesis 13:4|13:4]]; [[[[Genesis 22:9|22:9]]), by Isaac (Gen. [[Genesis 26:25|Genesis 26:25]]), by Jacob ([[Genesis 33:20]]; [[[[Genesis 35:1]], [[[[Genesis 35:3|3]]), and by Moses (Ex. [[Exodus 17:15]], "Jehovah-nissi").