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(Heb. mizbe'ah, from a word meaning "to slay"), any structure of earth (Ex. [[Exodus 20:24]]) or unwrought stone ([[Exodus 20:25]]) on which sacrifices were offered. Altars were generally erected in conspicuous places ([[Genesis 22:9]]; [[Ezekiel 6:3]]; [[2 Kings 23:12]]; [[2 Kings 16:4|16:4]]; [[2 Kings 23:8|23:8]]; [[Acts 14:13]]). The word is used in [[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."
In the tabernacle, and afterwards in the temple, two altars were erected.
(1.) The altar of burnt offering (Ex. 30:28), called also the "brasen altar" (Ex. 39:39) and "the table of the Lord" (Mal. [[Malachi 1:7]]).
This altar, as erected in the tabernacle, is described in Ex. 27:1-8. It was a hollow square, 5 cubits in length and in breadth, and 3 cubits in height. It was made of shittim wood, and was overlaid with plates of brass. Its corners were ornamented with "horns" (Ex. 29:12; Lev. 4:18).
