altar

A term that can designate any surface upon which any kind of offering to a deity is placed. Biblical altars can be classified according to the material from which they were fabricated, namely, stone (Judg 6:19-23; Judg 13:19-20; 1Sam 14:31-35; 1Kgs 18:30-35), earth (Exod 20:24), or metal. The first two kinds of material are associated with altars that could exist apart from sanctuaries. The third type is mentioned only in connection with the central sanctuary of Israel, the tabernacle or Temple. Two metal altars are mentioned: the altar of incense inside the inner sanctum (Exod 30:1-10; Exod 37:25-28; 1Kgs 7:20-21; 1Kgs 7:48) and the altar of burnt offering in the courtyard of the tabernacle (Exod 27:1-8; Exod 38:1-7).