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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 20:26 And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/02_Exo_20_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:26 - The Altar of Sacrifice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.'" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/20-26.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/20-26.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/20.htm">Chapter 20</a> > Verse 26</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-25.htm" title="Exodus 20:25">◄</a> Exodus 20:26 <a href="/exodus/21-1.htm" title="Exodus 21:1">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />And do not approach my altar by going up steps. If you do, someone might look up under your clothing and see your nakedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And you shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And you shall not go up by steps to My altar, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Nor shall you go up to My altar on steps, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not go up to my altar on steps, so that your nakedness is not exposed on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You must not go up to My altar on steps, so that your nakedness is not exposed on it.&#8221 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />And don't build an altar that requires steps; you might expose yourself when you climb up. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Never use stairs to go up to my altar. Otherwise, people will be able to see under your clothes."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Do not build an altar for me with steps leading up to it; if you do, you will expose yourselves as you go up the steps. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />You are not to ascend to my altar on steps, so that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.'"<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And you must not go up by steps to my altar, so that your nakedness is not exposed.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Neither shalt thou go up by steps to my altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall not go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed to it.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />neither do you go up by steps on My altar, that your nakedness is not revealed on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> neither dost thou go up by steps on Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not revealed upon it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And thou shalt not go up by steps upon mine altar, that thou shalt not uncover thy nakedness upon it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not go up by steps unto my altar, lest thy nakedness be discovered. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not ascend by steps to my altar, lest your nakedness be revealed.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not ascend to my altar by steps, lest your nakedness be exposed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not go up by steps to my altar, so that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Neither shall you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not exposed on it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And you shall not go up by stairs to my altar so that your nakedness will not be revealed upon it. <div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto Mine altar, that thy nakedness be not uncovered thereon.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not go up to my altar by steps, that thou mayest not uncover thy nakedness upon it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5143" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">The Altar of Sacrifice</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">25</span>Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">And you must not</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ṯa·‘ă·leh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">go up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/4196.htm" title="4196: miz·bə·ḥî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- An altar. From zabach; an altar.">My altar</a> <a href="/hebrew/4609.htm" title="4609: ḇə·ma·‘ă·lōṯ (Prep-b:: N-fp) -- Feminine of ma'aleh; elevation, i.e. The act, or the condition; specifically a climactic progression.">on steps,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">lest</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6172.htm" title="6172: ‘er·wā·ṯə·ḵā (N-fsc:: 2ms) -- Nakedness. From arah; nudity, literally or figuratively.">your nakedness</a> <a href="/hebrew/1540.htm" title="1540: ṯig·gā·leh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- To uncover, remove. A primitive root; to denude; by implication, to exile; figuratively, to reveal.">be exposed</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on it.’</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-3.htm">Leviticus 18:3</a></span><br />You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not follow the practices of the land of Canaan, into which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/12-4.htm">Deuteronomy 12:4</a></span><br />You shall not worship the LORD your God in this way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/23-14.htm">Deuteronomy 23:14</a></span><br />For the LORD your God walks throughout your camp to protect you and deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, lest He see anything unclean among you and turn away from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-2.htm">Isaiah 47:2-3</a></span><br />Take millstones and grind flour; remove your veil; strip off your skirt, bare your thigh, and wade through the streams. / Your nakedness will be uncovered and your shame will be exposed. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/16-36.htm">Ezekiel 16:36-37</a></span><br />This is what the Lord GOD says: Because you poured out your wealth and exposed your nakedness in your promiscuity with your lovers and with all your detestable idols, and because of the blood of your children which you gave to them, / therefore I will surely gather all the lovers with whom you found pleasure, all those you loved and all those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and expose you before them, and they will see you completely naked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/23-18.htm">Ezekiel 23:18</a></span><br />When Oholibah openly prostituted herself and exposed her nakedness, I turned away from her in disgust, just as I had turned away from her sister.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/2-22.htm">1 Samuel 2:22</a></span><br />Now Eli was very old, and he heard about everything his sons were doing to all Israel and how they were sleeping with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-7.htm">2 Kings 23:7</a></span><br />He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/28-19.htm">2 Chronicles 28:19</a></span><br />For the LORD humbled Judah because Ahaz king of Israel had thrown off restraint in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/1-11.htm">Micah 1:11</a></span><br />Depart in shameful nakedness, O dwellers of Shaphir. The dwellers of Zaanan will not come out. Beth-ezel is in mourning; its support is taken from you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Nahum 3:5</a></span><br />“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show your nakedness to the nations and your shame to the kingdoms.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a></span><br />For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/9-42.htm">Mark 9:42-43</a></span><br />But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea. / If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/17-1.htm">Luke 17:1-2</a></span><br />Jesus said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks will come, but woe to the one through whom they come! / It would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Neither shall you go up by steps to my altar, that your nakedness be not discovered thereon.</p><p class="hdg">thy nakedness</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Leviticus 10:3</a></b></br> Then Moses said unto Aaron, This <i>is it</i> that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/89-7.htm">Psalm 89:7</a></b></br> God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all <i>them that are</i> about him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Ecclesiastes 5:1</a></b></br> Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/20-25.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/genesis/47-18.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/genesis/36-24.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/genesis/42-12.htm">Exposed</a> <a href="/exodus/20-20.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/genesis/42-12.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/genesis/41-25.htm">Revealed</a> <a href="/genesis/49-22.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/exodus/20-24.htm">Thereon</a> <a href="/exodus/15-9.htm">Uncovered</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Altar</a> <a href="/exodus/28-42.htm">Bodies</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Discovered</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-18.htm">Exposed</a> <a href="/exodus/23-27.htm">Fear</a> <a href="/exodus/28-42.htm">Nakedness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-29.htm">Revealed</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-3.htm">Steps</a> <a href="/exodus/30-7.htm">Thereon</a> <a href="/leviticus/13-45.htm">Uncovered</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>And you must not go up to My altar on steps</b><br>This command reflects the cultural and religious practices of the ancient Near East, where altars were often elevated. The prohibition against steps may have been intended to distinguish Israelite worship from pagan practices, which often involved elaborate, elevated altars. The use of ramps instead of steps would ensure a more modest approach to the altar, emphasizing humility and reverence. This instruction also aligns with the broader biblical theme of approaching God with respect and purity, as seen in other parts of the Law where specific instructions are given to maintain holiness in worship (e.g., <a href="/leviticus/10-3.htm">Leviticus 10:3</a>).<p><b>lest your nakedness be exposed on it.</b><br>In ancient Israel, modesty was a significant concern, especially in religious contexts. Priests were required to wear specific garments to cover their bodies adequately (<a href="/exodus/28-42.htm">Exodus 28:42-43</a>). The exposure of nakedness was associated with shame and dishonor, as seen in the story of Noah (<a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Genesis 9:20-23</a>). This command underscores the importance of maintaining dignity and respect in worship, avoiding any actions that might lead to shame or dishonor before God. It also reflects the broader biblical principle of holiness, where physical actions symbolize spiritual truths, such as the need for purity and righteousness in approaching God.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The speaker of the commandment, emphasizing His holiness and the proper way to approach Him.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The recipient of the commandments, serving as the mediator between God and the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_altar.htm">The Altar</a></b><br>A sacred place for offerings and sacrifices, representing the presence of God and the means of worship.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people receiving the law, called to be a holy nation set apart for God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The location where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/reverence_in_worship.htm">Reverence in Worship</a></b><br>God’s instructions about the altar emphasize the need for reverence and respect in worship. Approaching God requires an attitude of humility and awareness of His holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/m/modesty_and_holiness.htm">Modesty and Holiness</a></b><br>The command against exposing nakedness underscores the importance of modesty. As believers, we are called to reflect God's holiness in our conduct and appearance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/approaching_god_properly.htm">Approaching God Properly</a></b><br>The prohibition of steps to the altar serves as a reminder that there is a proper way to approach God. This principle applies to our spiritual lives, where we must come to God with a pure heart and sincere intentions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_covering.htm">Symbolism of Covering</a></b><br>The concern for nakedness points to the broader biblical theme of covering, which symbolizes protection and righteousness. In Christ, believers are clothed with His righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/cultural_context_and_application.htm">Cultural Context and Application</a></b><br>Understanding the cultural context of ancient Israel helps us apply these principles today. While the specific command may not directly apply, the underlying principles of respect, modesty, and holiness remain relevant.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_the_burnt_altar_important.htm">Why is the altar of burnt offering significant?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/honor_parents_or_not_(ex._20_12_vs._lk._14_26).htm">Should we honor our parents? (Exodus 20:12 vs. Luke 14:26)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jesus_say_to_'hate'_family.htm">Luke 14:26: Why does Jesus command followers to 'hate' their family, contradicting the biblical admonition to honor parents (Exodus 20:12)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_early_israelites_offer_firstfruits.htm">How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) <span class= "bld">Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar.</span>--When the dress of the priests had been so arranged that no exposure of the person was possible (verses 42, 43), this precept became unnecessary. Thus it would seem that Solomon's altar had steps. (Compare <a href="/2_chronicles/4-1.htm" title="Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.">2Chronicles 4:1</a> with <a href="/ezekiel/43-17.htm" title="And the settle shall be fourteen cubits long and fourteen broad in the four squares thereof; and the border about it shall be half a cubit; and the bottom thereof shall be a cubit about; and his stairs shall look toward the east.">Ezekiel 43:17</a>.)<p><span class= "bld"><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar</span>. Here the reason of decency, added in the text, is obvious; and the law would necessarily continue until sacerdotal vestments of a very different character from the clothes commonly worn by Orientals were introduced (38:3-43). After their introduction, the reason for the law, and with it the law itself, would drop The supposed "slope of earth" by which the priests are thought to have ascended to the "ledge" on the altar of burnt offerings, and the "inclined plane," said by Josephus to have given access to the great altar of Solomon, rest on no sufficient authority, and are probably pure fictions. As soon as an ascent was needed, owing to the height of the altar, it was probably an ascent by steps (See <a href="/ezekiel/43-17.htm">Ezekiel 43:17</a>.) <p> <p> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">And you must not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go up</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲלֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to My altar</span><br /><span class="heb">מִזְבְּחִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(miz·bə·ḥî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4196.htm">Strong's 4196: </a> </span><span class="str2">An altar</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on steps,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְמַעֲלֹ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ma·‘ă·lōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4609.htm">Strong's 4609: </a> </span><span class="str2">Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lest</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֛ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your nakedness</span><br /><span class="heb">עֶרְוָתְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(‘er·wā·ṯə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6172.htm">Strong's 6172: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nakedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">be exposed</span><br /><span class="heb">תִגָּלֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯig·gā·leh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1540.htm">Strong's 1540: </a> </span><span class="str2">To denude, to exile, to reveal</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on it.’</span><br /><span class="heb">עַֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-26.htm">Exodus 20:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-26.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:26 Neither shall you go up by steps (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/20-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 20:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 20:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/21-1.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 21:1"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 21:1" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>